If Thou Love me

If thou love me

If thou must love me, let it be for naught
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 pleasure ease on such a day-
For these things in themselves,Beloved,may
Be changed or change for thee-and love, so wrought,
May be unworthy 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

Elizabeth Barret Browning (1806-1861)