If thou must love me, let it be for naught
Of speaking gently...for a trick of thought
Be changed, or change for thee, - and love, so wrought,
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
"I love her for her smile...her look...her way
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day" -
For these things in themselves, Belovéd, may
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, -
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.