m-p-if_thou_must-ebarrettbrowning

If thou must love me, let it be for naught
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
"I love her for her smile -- her look -- her way
Of speaking gently -- for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day" --
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee, -- and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Mine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry --
A creature might forget to weep, whobore
Thy comfort long, and lost thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Though mays't love on, through love's eternity.