How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee if I know not how?

For thee I feel but thou feel not for me

Many a morning am I prayed, “How now?”

I say, “Mine sorrow is I can’t love thee.”

 

In hell’s fires I shriek with agony,

“Wherefore mine love for thee goes to nothing?

My love for thee is deeper than th’ sea

And higher than mountains, it is rising!”

 

But now methinks yonder lies one answer

Mine coz quoth he that I’ll just be myself

Th’ trick learned I to be a lover:

Fancy things are good not; just be yourself!

 

Hearken, my love, it is thee I feel for

Come, let’s away, before I lament more.