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.