Oh, think not I shall always be as now; Not constant, as you would that I should be. Were you as fair as Helen, yet I would not vow My heart's allegiance wholly unto thee! That you are fair -- yes, lovelier, if it please Your pride to have it so -- than many are, Yet am I man, as changeful, prone as these To follow lesser, lighter loves afar. That you should be deceived, I do not choose, For loving you, I am in duty bound To undeceive you now! But, oh, I would not lose By one hair's breadth, or one day's round Your undivided love, my dear -- my dear -- Nor feel you less, for that you are less near! I do not choose to hold you, no not I, For love is such a tender, willful thing It may take flight while still with words I try The strict subservience of its eager wing; And yet I know inconstancy will prove Most constant too, for that it is but slight -- As wayward, light, as any breeze whereof The flower is made aware of love's delight. I am not fearful, for I know you are When seeming most unkind, as kindly too; And your return is fixed as any star When autumn early calls it from the blue. Oh, that you have been wayward, I agree But winter brings you home again to me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHITE COMRADE (AFTER W.H. LEATHAM'S 'THE COMRADE IN WHIRE') by ROBERT HAVEN SCHAUFFLER THE LOW-DOWN WHITE by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: MAY by EDMUND SPENSER ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 10. TO THE MUSE by MARK AKENSIDE A SONG FOR THE SINGLE TABLE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST TWENTY BLOCKS by EGMONT HEGEL ARENS |