Poems (Eliza Gabriella Lewis)/To ——— (Yes, love me for myself alone)

by Eliza Gabriella Lewis

For works with similar titles, see To ———.

 Hero.—"And here's another,
Writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket,
Containing her affection unto Benedick."—Shakspeare.

TO ———

Yes, love me for myself alone,
 And love me very truly!—
Ye all are apt to promise this,
 When ye have loved but newly.

Remember that this cheek will fade—
 Mine eyes lose all their brightness.
And the fairy foot, you flatter now,
 In age—forget its lightness.

I plight thee here an honest heart,
 A heart that feels sincerely—
I never thought I could have lov'd
 As I do love thee—dearly.

Then trust me, as I've trusted thee
 And with a love as real;
Nor fancy me a goddess born,
 Beware of the ideal.

Too soon, too soon, alas! thou'dst find,
 My birth-place not celestial,
And from an angel, I would sink
 Into a sad terrestrial.

Then let confiding faith be shown,
 And manly—honest feeling,
"A leal light heart" can never throb
 With ought that needs concealing.