Tuesday, 1 November 2016

A Woman's Last Word

I. 


Let's contend no more, Love, 
 Strive nor weep: 
All be as before, Love, 
 —-Only sleep! 

II. 

What so wild as words are? 
 I and thou 
In debate, as birds are, 
 Hawk on bough! 

III. 

See the creature stalking 
 While we speak! 
Hush and hide the talking, 
 Cheek on cheek! 

IV. 

What so false as truth is, 
 False to thee? 
Where the serpent's tooth is 
 Shun the tree—- 

V. 

Where the apple reddens 
 Never pry—- 
Lest we lose our Edens, 
 Eve and I. 

VI. 

Be a god and hold me 
 With a charm! 
Be a man and fold me 
 With thine arm! 

VII. 

Teach me, only teach, Love 
 As I ought 
I will speak thy speech, Love, 
 Think thy thought—- 

VIII. 

Meet, if thou require it, 
 Both demands, 
Laying flesh and spirit 
 In thy hands. 

IX. 

That shall be to-morrow 
 Not to-night: 
I must bury sorrow 
 Out of sight: 


—-Must a little weep, Love, 
 (Foolish me!) 
And so fall asleep, Love, 
 Loved by thee.


By

:

Robert Browning

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