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 brings
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 love on, through love’s eternity.
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning