Love's Desperation

Since, sweet, you cannot love me, and we twain
Must live and die apart; and since I know, —
Though you, through pity, will not own it now, —
Sundered, your soul from mine will not retain
The memory of love, as strong as vain;
That soon you will forget to grieve, and so
Forget for what you wish to grieve; and lo!
Once gone, you will not think of me again; —

O loved, unloving love! let not this be.
Rather, O my love, hate me, with the whole
Deep strength of that unfathomable soul —
With hate as strong as is my love for thee;
Let it a brand upon my soul be set.
O love, do all things else, but not — Forget!