第1章 THE KINGDOM OF LOVE

In the dawn of the day when the sea and the earth Reflected the sunrise above, I set forth with a heart full of courage and mirth To seek for the Kingdom of Love.

I asked of a Poet I met on the way Which cross-road would lead me aright;And he said "Follow me, and ere long you shall see Its glittering turrets of light."And soon in the distance a city shone fair.

"Look yonder," he said; "How it gleams!"

But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair, It was only the "Kingdom of Dreams."Then the next man I asked was a gay Cavalier, And he said: "Follow me, follow me";And with laughter and song we went speeding along By the shores of Life's beautiful sea.

Then we came to a valley more tropical far Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere, And I saw from a bower a face like a flower Smile out on the gay Cavalier;And he said: "We have come to humanity's goal: Here love and delight are intense."

But alas and alas! for the hopes of my soul -It was only the "Kingdom of Sense."

As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road A coach with retainers behind;And they said: "Follow me, for our Lady's abode Belongs in that realm, you will find."'Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-made bride, I followed, encouraged and bold;But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day, For we came to the "Kingdom of Gold."At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid.

"I have heard of that realm," she replied;

"But my feet never roam from the 'Kingdom of Home,'

So I know not the way," and she sighed.

I looked on the cottage; how restful it seemed!

And the maid was as fair as a dove.

Great light glorified my soul as I cried:

"Why, HOME is the 'Kingdom of Love'!"