Sonnets from the Portuguese iv

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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¡ªher look¡ªher way
Of speaking gently ¡ªfor a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine and certes brought 5
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'¡ª
For these things in themselves Belov¨¨d may
Be changed or change for thee¡ªand love so wrought
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry: 10
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.

© Elizabeth Barrett Browning