Sympathy

Well! call it Friendship! have I ask'd for more,
Even in those moments, when I gave thee most?
'Twas but for thee, I look'd so far before!
I saw our bark was hurrying blindly on,
A guideless thing upon a dangerous coast —
With thee — with thee, where would I not have gone?
But could I see thee drift upon the shore,
Unknowing drift upon a shore, unknown?
Yes, call it Friendship, and let no revealing
If love be there, e'er make love's wild name heard,
It will not die, if it be worth concealing!
Call it then Friendship — but oh, let that word
Speak but for me — for me, a deeper feeling
Than ever yet a lover's bosom stirr'd!