All That Love Asks
The poem explores the idea that love requires sacrifice and surrender. It argues that true love demands the relinquishment of personal desires, ambitions, and even one's own identity. The speaker suggests that love asks for everything, including one's soul, and that it is only by giving up these things that one can truly possess love.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1886 · Genre: Romance, Poetry, Philosophical · 377 words
First lines
"All that I ask," says Love, "is just to stand And gaze, unchided, deep in thy dear eyes; For in their depths lies largest Paradise. Yet, if perchance one pressure of thy hand Be granted me, then joy I thought complete Were still more sweet.
"All that I ask," says Love, "all that I ask, Is just thy hand-clasp. Could I brush thy cheek As zephyrs brush a rose leaf, words are weak To tell the bliss in which my soul would bask. There is no language but would desecrate A joy so great.
What this Textopian page supports
All That Love Asks is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Poetry, Philosophical, Classical Literature
- Length: 377 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for All That Love Asks by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering All That Love Asks?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Romance — The poem focuses on the emotions and desires associated with romantic love.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deep questions about the nature of love and human desire.
- Classical Literature — The style and themes are reminiscent of classical literary traditions.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Relationships · Emotions · Passion · Desire · Longing · Heartfelt · Sincere · Intimate · Personal