Sonnet XIV from Sonnets From the Portuguese
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
first published in 1850
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!
Bot love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
first published in 1850
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!
Bot love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.
Portraits of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning by Thomas B. Read (1822-1872)
You may also enjoy....
Now that's what I call one hell of a romantic old time poem. Brilliant. Just love me for love's sake.
ReplyDelete