Above Love

Come now, I will be frank with you, and say
I have for you a strange and bitter love:
Most strong it is, but no love's strong enough
From higher aims to make me turn away;
Some short sharp pain, some idle night or day,
Is all the hurt that I shall have thereof.
I will not wed you, and I must remove
Your spell from oif my path as best I may.

Your face would come between my work and me;
Your love would quite unnerve me for the strife;
Kiss me, forget me wholly, as I know
I shall forget you in the whirl of life:
Nay, do not look; I swear I will not see;
Take off your lips lest I should crush you so.