Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems

By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols

Stuart-Wortley, Emmeline (1806-1855)

I, II, III.

VOL. I., VOL. II., VOL. III.

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450

SONG.

[Or better love!—or love me not]

Or better love!—or love me not;
Give all or none of thy young heart.
I struggle with a troubled lot—
Nor claim in joy or grief my part!

Let me at least my sentence know,
This little love is worse than hate:
I cannot sink—resigned to woe—
Nor stand—with steadfast joy elate!

Or better love—or not at all—
I'd rather grovel in the dust—
Than in a weak and tottering wall
Place all my fond and trembling trust.

451

I'd rather rest me in the dark,
Than by the marsh-lamp's treacherous light
(A feeble and misleading spark,)
Be lured to strive with storm and night!