To ——

I love thee — none may know how. well,
And yet — I would not have thee love me ;
To thy good heart 'twere very hell,
Dearly to love, and not approve me.
Whate'er thou lov'st it is not thine,
But 'tis thyself — then sad it were, love,
If thou, for every sin of mine,
Should weep, repent, — mayhap, despair — love.
Then love me not — thou canst not scorn ;
And mind — I do not bid thee hate me ;
And if I die, oh, do not mourn,
But if I live, do new create me.