The Heart That Gives

The heart that gives, and gives to keep
where hearts are strong, and hearts are weak
that seeks to give all that it has
that seeks to give, and nothing bad
but wants more claim than it will say
and mingles love with putrid way
which under “love”’s resounding name
festers e’er consuming claim
on secret sin made plain to all
but one who seeks it most of all

Gold in its own is beautiful
how so much more when cast and shaped
but tainted by a greedy eye
its shapely graces turn to worm
now hid beneath luxurious plate

So soldiers march in iron clad
with fragile hearts enshroud by lead
that by Him burns like dross away
and shields from jousts that love may stay
Let enemies keep farthest ‘part
thy dearest friends cleave thine own heart
both wound with jousts that others slay
and hold with care to heal thy ways
The battle marches to the place
where love might rest and be made safe

The waters there are cool and still
a fire pure, than ne’r again
to cast all love a royal crown
(most royal of the ornaments)
love ever after free from sin