Sonnets from the Portuguese iv
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¡ªher look¡ªher way
Of speaking gently ¡ªfor a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine and certes brought 5
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'¡ª
For these things in themselves Belov¨¨d may
Be changed or change for thee¡ªand love so wrought
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry: 10
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.