SPEAK not of passion, for my heart is tired, I should but grieve thee with unheeding ears; Speak not of hope, nor flash thy soul inspired In haggard eyes, that do but shine with tears. Think not I week because my task is o'er; This is but weakness -- I must rest to-day: Nay, let me bid farewell and go my way, Then shall I soon be patient as before. Yes, thou art grateful, that I nursed thee well; This is not love, for love comes swift and free: Yet might I long with one so kind to dwell, Cared for as in thy need I cared for thee: And sometimes when at night beside thy bed I sat and held thy hand, or bathed thy head, And heard the wild delirious words, and knew Even by these, how brave thou wert, and true, Almost I loved -- but many valiant men These hands have tended, and shall tend again; And now thou art not fevered or distressed I hold thee nothing dearer than the rest. Nay, tell me not thy strong young heart will break If to thy prayer such cold response I make; It will not break -- hearts cannot break, I know, Or this weak heart had broken long ago. Ah no! I would not love thee, if I could; And when I cry, in some rebellious mood, "To live for others is to live alone; Oh, for a love that is not gratitude, Oh, for a little joy that is my own!" Then shall I think of thee, and shall be strong, Knowing thee noblest, best, yet undesired: Ah, for what other, by what passion fired, Could I desert my life-work, loved so long? I marvel grief like thine can move me still, Who have seen death, and worse than death, ere now -- Nay, look not glad, rise up; thou shalt not bow Thy knee, as if these tears thy hope fulfil: Farewell! I am not bound by any vow; This is the voice of mine own steadfast will. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NEW ARRIVAL by GEORGE WASHINGTON CABLE TO THE MEMORY OF BEN JONSON by JOHN CLEVELAND SONNET by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE HERITAGE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL EBB by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY TO A CHAMELEON by MARIANNE MOORE |