I KNOW, Justine, you speak me fair As often as we meet; And 't is a luxury, I swear, To hear a voice so sweet; And yet it does not please me quite, The civil way you've got; For me you're something too polite, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you never scold At aught that I may do: If I am passionate or cold, 'T is all the same to you. "A charming temper," say the men, "To smooth a husband's lot": I wish 't were ruffled now and then, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you wear a smile As beaming as the sun; But who supposes all the while It shines for only one? Though azure skies are fair to see, A transient cloudy spot In yours would promise more to me, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, you make my name Your eulogistic theme, And say -- if any chance to blame -- You hold me in esteem. Such words, for all their kindly scope, Delight me not a jot; Just so you would have praised the Pope, -- Justine, you love me not! I know, Justine, for I have heard What friendly voices tell, -- You do not blush to say the word, "You like me passing well"; And thus the fatal sound I hear That seals my lonely lot: There's nothing now to hope or fear, -- Justine, you love me not! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SMALLISH SON by HAYDEN CARRUTH SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: REV. LEMUEL WILEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS MY PRETTY ROSE TREE, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE EPISTLE TO JOHN LAPRAIK, AN OLD SCOTTISH BARD by ROBERT BURNS SONNET COMPOSED ON A JOURNEY HOMEWARD by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE MARY'S LAMB by SARAH JOSEPHA BUELL HALE |