IV. “I do not Love Thee!”

I DO not love thee!—no! I do not love thee!
And yet when thou art absent I am sad;
  And envy even the bright blue sky above thee,
Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad.

  I do not love thee!—yet, I know not why,      
Whate’er thou dost seems still well done, to me–
  And often in my solitude I sigh–
  That those I do love are not more like thee!

  I do not love thee!—yet, when thou art gone
I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear)        
  Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone
Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear.

  I do not love thee!—yet thy speaking eyes,
With their deep, bright, and most expressive blue–
  Between me and the midnight heaven arise,        
Oftener than any eyes I ever knew.

  I know I do not love thee! yet, alas!
Others will scarcely trust my candid heart;
  And oft I catch them smiling as they pass,
Because they see me gazing where thou art.       

Caroline Elizabeth Sarah (Sheridan) Norton