IF THOU MUST LOVE ME
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING (1806-1861)
If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say,
"I love her for her smile-her look-her way
Of speaking gently, - for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day" -
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee, - and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, -
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayest love on, through love's eternity.