LOVE unreturn'd, howe'er the flame Seem great and pure, may still admit Degrees of more, and a new name And strength acceptance gives to it. Till then, by honour there's no tie Laid on it, that it ne'er decay, The mind's last act by constancy Ought to be seal'd, and not the way. Did aught but Love's perfection bind Who should assign at what degree Of Love, faith ought to fix the mind And in what limits we are free. So hardly in a single heart Is any love conceived That fancy still supplies one part, Supposing it received. When undeceiv'd such love retires 'Tis but a model lost, A draught of what might be expires Built but at fancy's cost. Yet if the rain one tear move, From Pity not Love sent, Though not a palace, it will prove The most wisht monument. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 38 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING PICTURES OF MEMORY by ALICE CARY MARCO BOZZARIS by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK LAPLAND by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD PSALM 43. JUDICA ME DEUS by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |