(Terza Rima.)
IF ever thou shouldst cease to think of me
With love, and turn thy soul’s sweet warmth to ice—
(Stop not my mouth with kisses! Change may be,
As all do know who take for their device
A bleeding heart!)—If any change should seal
To me the gates of uttermost Paradise,
And I should darkling fare, with no repeal,
In company of them, that, love forsaken,
Before cold shrines and at dead altars kneel,
Remember this—I bade thy heart awaken;
Here in this hand it lay a prisoner!
Thy first wild love-kiss from my lips was taken,
And with my breath thy first sighs mingled were!
Remember this—I loved thee well and long,
Thou haven to me, a time-worn wanderer!
Then, though my voice be drowned in that clear song
Of thy new love, and I forgotten be
Or all-despisèd, think thou in my wrong
Some good there was, some truth akin with thee,
Some light half-seen, since I could tune a soul
Virgin as thine to perfect harmony,
And crown thy brow with Love’s pure aureole!