The Heart On The Sleeve

I wore my heart upon my sleeve, Tis most unwise, they say, to do-- But then how could I but believe The foolish thing was safe with you? Yet, had I known, 'twas safer far With wolves and tigers, the wild sea Were kinder to it than you are-- Sweetheart, how you must laugh at me! Yet am I glad I did not know That creatures of such tender bloom, Beneath their sanctuary snow, Were such cold ministers of doom; For had I known, as I began To love you, ere we flung apart, I had not been so glad a man As holds his lady to his heart. And am I lonely here to-night With empty eyes, the cause is this, Your face it was that gave me sight, My heart ran over with your kiss. Still do I think that what I laid Before the altar of your face, Flower of words that shall not fade, Were worthy of a moment's grace; Some thoughtless, lightly dropped largesse, A touch of your immortal hand Laid on my brow in tenderness, Though you could never understand. And yet with hungered lips to touch Your feet of pearl and in your face To look a little was over-much-- In heaven is no such fair a place As, broken-hearted, at your feet To lie there and to kiss them, sweet.