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...her look...her way of speaking gently---
For a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day."
For these things in themselves, beloved, may be changed, or changed
for thee-and love so wrought may be unwrought so.
Neither love me for thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry---
A creature might forget to weep, who bore their comfort long,
and lose their love thereby.
But love me for love's sake, that evermore thou mayst love on,
Through love's eternity.