Sonnets from the Portuguese — Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful enough

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Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed And worthy of acceptation.

Fire is bright, Let temple burn, or flax; an equal light Leaps in the flame from cedar-plank or weed: And love is fire.

And when I say at need I love thee .

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I love thee—in thy sight I stand transfigured, glorified aright, With conscience of the new rays that proceed Out of my face toward thine.

There’s nothing low In love, when love the lowest: meanest creatures Who love God, God accepts while loving so.

And what I feel, across the inferior features Of what I am, doth flash itself, and show How that great work of Love enhances Nature’s.