XIV

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.