Sonnet 14 (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806-61)



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 ease on such a day –
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, 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 cheek 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.


From Sonnets from the Portuguese

Vocabulary: 
certes: assuredly

wrought: (old use or lit) made or done
carefully wrought works of literature
wrought by hand
wrought of stone

evermore: (lit) for all future time
He swore to love her evermore.