Oh, think not I shall always be as now; Not constant, as you would that I should be. Were you as fair as Helen, yet I would not vow My heart's allegiance wholly unto thee! That you are fair -- yes, lovelier, if it please Your pride to have it so -- than many are, Yet am I man, as changeful, prone as these To follow lesser, lighter loves afar. That you should be deceived, I do not choose, For loving you, I am in duty bound To undeceive you now! But, oh, I would not lose By one hair's breadth, or one day's round Your undivided love, my dear -- my dear -- Nor feel you less, for that you are less near! I do not choose to hold you, no not I, For love is such a tender, willful thing It may take flight while still with words I try The strict subservience of its eager wing; And yet I know inconstancy will prove Most constant too, for that it is but slight -- As wayward, light, as any breeze whereof The flower is made aware of love's delight. I am not fearful, for I know you are When seeming most unkind, as kindly too; And your return is fixed as any star When autumn early calls it from the blue. Oh, that you have been wayward, I agree But winter brings you home again to me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GIRL'S GARDEN by ROBERT FROST THE VANISHERS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER MONODY ON THE ASTOR HOUSE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS LEAVE A KISS WITHIN THE CUP by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS MOON OF LOVELINESS by MUHAMMAD AL-MU'TAMID II MOUNTAIN FROLIC by GEORGE LAWRENCE ANDREWS THE LAURELS ARE FELLED by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE |