Poet's Corner

"Sonnet 14"

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

1    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





5    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



10   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.

Source: Exploring Poetry, Gale, 1997.