“Turn, gentle youth, and mark this truth-- True love is linked with duty; Come then with me and thou shalt see A richer, rarer beauty.” “Lead on,” I cried, and by the side Of Duty forth I sped me; Resolved to go, for weal or woe, Wherever Duty led me. I followed still, for good or ill, Through thorny brake and briar; Or up the steep, or down the deep, Through water or through fire. And now at last, the testing’s past, And Duty sits beside me; Quoth Duty, “Once, and for the nonce, Thy Love was quite denied thee. “That tempting elf was ‘Love of Self,’ And ’neath her smile lay lurking An aspish sting--a deadly thing-- Dire, deathless evils working. “Now Love once more stands thee before, To fill thine eyes with glamour; This gift of mine is love divine, And shall thy soul enamour.” He waved his wand, gave his command,-- “True Love, come forth,” said Duty; Before my eyes she did arise, _My_ love, of rarest beauty. My youth’s ideal! Now mine and real; O Love, how long I sought thee! Cries Love, “I come; Thy heart’s my home! ’Twas Duty, love, that brought me.” Thrice happy I to testify Whate’er the wind and weather, ’Tis mine to prove that truest Love And Duty dwell together. No more I roam, for here at home, My love and I, united, Blessing and blest, know perfect rest, And Duty is delighted. And when at last our lives are past, And we become immortals; Through heaven’s door we two shall soar When Duty opes the portals.