Alice Meynell (1847–1922)

I MUST not think of thee; and, tired yet strong,

I shun the love that lurks in all delight—

The love of thee—and in the blue heaven’s height,

And in the dearest passage of a song.

Oh, just beyond the fairest thoughts that throng

This breast, the thought of thee waits hidden yet bright;

But it must never, never come in sight;

I must stop short of thee the whole day long.

But when sleep comes to close each difficult day,

When night gives pause to the long watch I keep,

And all my bonds I needs must loose apart,

Must doff my will as raiment laid away,—

With the first dream that comes with the first sleep

I run, I run, I am gather’d to thy heart.