Within the world of every man's desire
Three things have power to lift his soul above,
Through dreams, religion, and ecstatic fire,
The star-like shapes of Beauty, Truth, and Love.

I never hoped that, this side far-off Heaven,
These three,-whom all exalted souls pursue,
I e'er should see; until to me 't was given,
Lady, to meet the three, made one, in you.