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-her look-her way
of speaking gently-for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes bought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day�-
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee-and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity�s wiping my cheeks dry-
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 (1806-1861)

<< >>