Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891.
To . I love theenot because thy love for meMaria (White) Lowell (18211853)
I
Like a great sunrise, did o’ervault my day
With purple light, and wrought upon my way
The morning dew in fresh emblazonry;
Nor that thou seest all I fain would be
And thus dost call me by mine angel’s name,
While still my woman’s heart beats free of blame
Beneath the shelter of thy charity.
Oh! no, for wearily upon my soul
Would weigh thy golden crown of unbought praise,
Did I not look beyond the hour’s control,
To where those fruits of perfect virtue raise
Their bloom, that thou ere-while with prophet eyes
Didst name mine own, in groves of paradise.