I KNOW, Justine, you speak me fair As often as we meet; And 't is a luxury, I swear, To hear a voice so sweet; And yet it does not please me quite, The civil way you've got; For me you're something too polite, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you never scold At aught that I may do: If I am passionate or cold, 'T is all the same to you. "A charming temper," say the men, "To smooth a husband's lot": I wish 't were ruffled now and then, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you wear a smile As beaming as the sun; But who supposes all the while It shines for only one? Though azure skies are fair to see, A transient cloudy spot In yours would promise more to me, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you make my name Your eulogistic theme, And say -- if any chance to blame -- You hold me in esteem. Such words, for all their kindly scope, Delight me not a jot; Just so you would have praised the Pope, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, for I have heard What friendly voices tell, -- You do not blush to say the word, "You like me passing well"; And thus the fatal sound I hear That seals my lonely lot: There's nothing now to hope or fear, -- Justine, you love me not! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOLDWING MOTH by CARL SANDBURG DEXTER GORDON: COPENHAGEN/AVERY FISHER HALL by KAREN SWENSON PASSION'S HOUNDS by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES INDIAN WOMAN'S DEATH-SONG by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS BAVARIAN GENTIANS by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN'S TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE; ELECTION BALLAD by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON |