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 mayst love on, through love's eternity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BENEDICTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FICTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON STREET CRIES: 6. TO RICHARD WAGNER by SIDNEY LANIER WITH BEST WISHES by DOROTHY PARKER THEY PRAISE THE SUN by JOHN CROWE RANSOM IN A STRANGE CITY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER A FORGOTTEN TUNE by PAUL VERLAINE |