Love Me for Love's Sake

Sonnet XIV

If thou must love me, let it be for nought

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

Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, -

A creature might forget to weep, who bore

Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!

But love me for love's sake, that evermore

Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sonnet 43

 I just found this girl on youtube- +Pearls Of Wisdom - and I'm so grateful for all her videos. She'll be a lot on my blog from now, no doubt!
 A few days ago I shared with you How do I love thee by Elizabeth Barret Browning. Now, here's the poem read by a sweet voice that gives the delicacy and vulnerability own this confession of love. Because for me, Elizabeth doesn't declare her love, she confesses her love.

Do not declare your love, better confess

Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of my favorite poets, and I want to share with you this beautiful poem of hers.

        How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height 

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight 

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. 

I love thee to the level of every day's 

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. 

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; 

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. 

I love with a passion put to use 

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. 

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose 

With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath, 

Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose, 

I shall but love thee better after death.                                         

Tell me which poets you read!!!