The Neck Ring of the Dove - The Signs of Love

" A man in love will give prodigally to the limit of his capacity, in a way that formerly he would have refused; as if he were the one receiving the donation, he the one whose happiness is the object in view; all this in order that he may show off his good points, and make himself desirable. How often has the miser opened his purse strings, the scowler relaxed his frown, the coward leapt heroically into the fray, the clod suddenly become sharp-witted, the boor turned into the perfect gentleman, the stinker transformed himself into the elegant dandy, the sloucher smartened up, the decrepit recaptured his lost youth, the godly gone wild, the self-respecting kicked over the traces-and all because of love!

All these signs are to be observed even before the fire of Love is properly kindled, ere its conflagration truly bursts forth, its blaze waxes fierce, its flames leap up. But when the fire really takes a hold and is firmly established, then you will see the secret whispering, the unconcealed turning away from all present but the beloved. I have some verses in which I have contrived to bring together many of these signs, and will now quote from these. "

I love to hear when men converse

And in the midst his name rehearse;

The air I breathe seems redolent

That moment with the amber's scent,

But when he speaketh, I give ear

Unto no other sitting near,

But lean to catch delightedly

His pretty talk and coquetry,

Nor yet, though my companion there

The Prince of All the Faithful were,

Permit my mind to be removed

On his account from my beloved.

And if, through dire compulsion,

I Stand up at last to say good-bye,

Still glancing fondly at my sweet

I stumble, as on wounded feet;

My eyes upon his features play

The while my body drifts away,

As one the billows tumble o'er

Yet gazes, drowning, on the shore.

When I recall how distant he

Now is, I choke in sorrow's sea,

Weary as one who sinks, to expire

In some deep bog, or raging fire.

Yet, if thou sayest, " Canst thou still

Aspire to heaven? " " That I will ",

I answer boldly, " and I know

The stairs that to its summit go! "

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[ Excerpt form The Ring of the Dove. Translated by A.J. Arberry ]