 | Marah |  |
8
CHI LO SA?
1
Prithee tell me, Sweet, how shall I everHave deserved thee? What trials, what tears,
What renewals of daily endeavour,
What endurance of sorrowful years,
May bear witness how well I have loved thee,
And establish my claim to thy heart?
Or when long thou hast tried me and proved me,
Will it be but to bid me depart?
Ah, could love be obtain'd for love's sake!
But the gift is bestow'd, and not owed,
Nor can worth any claim to it make.
For the blessing of love is a boon from above
And no heed of desert doth it take.
9
2
Blowing tree, the full blossoms that bend theeMay be all of them promises vain!
Who can say whether heaven will yet send thee
The good chance of its ripening rain?
Glowing heart, the fond dreams that possess thee
May be all lying prophets at best!
Who can say if she ever will bless thee
With one moment of bliss on her breast?
Ah, could love be obtain'd for love's sake!
But 'tis purchased by none, nor yet won,
Tho' to win it life's all be the stake.
For the blessing of love is a boon from above,
And no heed of desert doth it take.
| Marah | |