XIV
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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.
2 comments:
One of my favourite sonnets by Browning.
With all the sonnets you share, is there an author or a sonnet that's a favourite?
Not really, I just bumble along and choose whatever tickles my fancy on any given day. I like "Sonnet Reversed" a lot, and of course Shakespeare's sonnets are unparalleled, but I can't say that I have a favorite of them all.
Although, now that you mention it, I should ponder this one more carefully. I'm sure I can find a favorite somewhere...
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