(281-282) Works of Love VI Love Abides
"Love never fails"—it abides
In our daily life, we often speak the plea
That expresses a heartfelt desire
When we cry out, "Wait for me"
It's to love we do aspire
Many times the request is met
And we feel justified
Sometimes the other will then reject
But love itself abides
Love is not a thing that ceases
Nor does it become altered
If the lover ever love releases
It is not love itself that's faltered
Love has a retroactive power
Which is deeply profound
It persists beyond passion's hour
And forever it resounds
When the lover of love forgets
The lover has never loved at all
No matter all the expressed regrets
What they felt once was very small
Love is so mild and yet rigorous
With itself is extremely strict
That's also why love's vigorous
And will suffer no interdict
Erotic love gets put aside
The bond between is broken
Divine love will always abide
It's the middle term that's spoken