Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton. 18081876692. I do not love Thee
I DO not love thee!—no! I do not love thee! | |
And yet when thou art absent I am sad; | |
And envy even the bright blue sky above thee, | |
Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad. | |
I do not love thee!—yet, I know not why, | 5 |
Whate’er thou dost seems still well done, to me: | |
And often in my solitude I sigh | |
That those I do love are not more like thee! | |
I do not love thee!—yet, when thou art gone, | |
I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear) | 10 |
Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone | |
Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear. | |
I do not love thee!—yet thy speaking eyes, | |
With their deep, bright, and most expressive blue, | |
Between me and the midnight heaven arise, | 15 |
Oftener than any eyes I ever knew. | |
I know I do not love thee! yet, alas! | |
Others will scarcely trust my candid heart; | |
And oft I catch them smiling as they pass, | |
Because they see me gazing where thou art. | 20 |