 | The Knight and The Enchantress |  |
121
THE APPEAL.
If changeless truth might claim thy love's return,
And constancy, nor time nor fate can move—
Then should I not in lonely anguish mourn,
Then should'st thou love me with surpassing love!
And constancy, nor time nor fate can move—
Then should I not in lonely anguish mourn,
Then should'st thou love me with surpassing love!
If fond submission—if endurance meek
Of wrong, of scorn, of coldly-bitter blame—
If smiles worn on a melancholy cheek—
If these may touch thee, then thy love I claim!
Of wrong, of scorn, of coldly-bitter blame—
If smiles worn on a melancholy cheek—
If these may touch thee, then thy love I claim!
If jealousy that still itself restrains,
Lest haply thou its fevered rage shouldst rue—
If a devotion that itself disdains,
And deems the idolatry but the idol's due:
Lest haply thou its fevered rage shouldst rue—
If a devotion that itself disdains,
And deems the idolatry but the idol's due:
122
If a true passion, that itself consumes,
Still, Phœnix-like, from ashes forth to arise;
If a fond hope, which still itself illumes,
To die, as a neglected watch-fire dies:
Still, Phœnix-like, from ashes forth to arise;
If a fond hope, which still itself illumes,
To die, as a neglected watch-fire dies:
If these things—these can touch thee;—if the love
That never can diminish nor depart,
May melt thy soul—thy stubborn bosom move—
Then—then, mine claims its sole rich meed—thy heart!
That never can diminish nor depart,
May melt thy soul—thy stubborn bosom move—
Then—then, mine claims its sole rich meed—thy heart!
Alas! alas! these things can touch thee not;
Arise!—give wrong for wrong, and scorn for scorn;
Poor injured heart! and wrestle with your lot,
Nor miserably consent to be forlorn!
Arise!—give wrong for wrong, and scorn for scorn;
Poor injured heart! and wrestle with your lot,
Nor miserably consent to be forlorn!
Haply, if that may bid thee not, return
To Love and me—false lover—falsest friend;
At least I thus may lingeringly learn
To feel the indifference I would fain pretend!
To Love and me—false lover—falsest friend;
At least I thus may lingeringly learn
To feel the indifference I would fain pretend!
| The Knight and The Enchantress | |