Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.
The Ladys YesElizabeth Barrett Browning (18061861)
“Y
“No!” this morning, sir, I say.
Colors seen by candle-light
Will not look the same by day.
Lamps above, and laughs below,
Love me sounded like a jest,
Fit for Yes, or fit for No!
Vow, whatever light may shine,
No man on thy face shall see
Any grief for change on mine.
Time to dance is not to woo;
Wooer light makes fickle troth,
Scorn of me recoils on you.
Nobly as the thing is high,
Bravely as for life and death,
With a loyal gravity.
Point her to the starry skies;
Guard her by your faithful words,
Pure from courtship’s flatteries.
Ever true, as wives of yore,
And her Yes, once said to you,
Shall be Yes for evermore.