Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LOVE OF A WOMAN, by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LOVE OF A WOMAN, by                    
First Line: If he should come to me to-day
Last Line: "nor mine to take away."
Subject(s): Love; Women


IF he should come to me to-day
In the strong beauty of his youth,
Profuse of hope and rich in truth, --
If he should come to me and say:
"Give me your love! Of womankind
"On you and you alone I call!"
I could but answer, "Dear and blind,
"What more is left for my bestowing?
"Without your asking or your knowing
"Have I not given all?"

AND should he come to me some day
When withered listless leaves are blown,
Where I had waited long alone;
If he should come to me and say:
"Give me your love for charity;
"My dreams are squandered everywhere.
"My famished hopes fall dead from me
"Like the dull harvest of the air.
"I seek no longer joy, but rest --
"Brief peace upon a kindly breast
"Till my tired heart is quiet clay."
I could but say, "Love, while you live,
"My love is neither mine to give
"Nor mine to take away."





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