Men and Women (Browning)/Volume 1/A Woman's Last Word
A WOMAN’S LAST WORD.
1.
Let's contend no more, Love,
Strive nor weep—
All be as before, Love,
—Only sleep!
Let's contend no more, Love,
Strive nor weep—
All be as before, Love,
—Only sleep!
2.
What so wild as words are?
I and thou
In debate, as birds are,
Hawk on bough!
What so wild as words are?
I and thou
In debate, as birds are,
Hawk on bough!
3.
See the creature stalking
While we speak—
Hush and hide the talking,
Cheek on cheek!
See the creature stalking
While we speak—
Hush and hide the talking,
Cheek on cheek!
4.
What so false as truth is,
False to thee?
Where the serpent's tooth is,
Shun the tree—
What so false as truth is,
False to thee?
Where the serpent's tooth is,
Shun the tree—
5.
Where the apple reddens
Never pry—
Lest we lose our Edens,
Eve and I.
Where the apple reddens
Never pry—
Lest we lose our Edens,
Eve and I.
6.
Be a god and hold me
With a charm—
Be a man and fold me
With thine arm!
Be a god and hold me
With a charm—
Be a man and fold me
With thine arm!
7.
Teach me, only teach, Love!
As I ought
I will speak thy speech, Love,
Think thy thought—
Teach me, only teach, Love!
As I ought
I will speak thy speech, Love,
Think thy thought—
8.
Meet, if thou require it,
Both demands,
Laying flesh and spirit
In thy hands!
Meet, if thou require it,
Both demands,
Laying flesh and spirit
In thy hands!
9.
That shall be to-morrow
Not to-night:
I must bury sorrow
Out of sight.
That shall be to-morrow
Not to-night:
I must bury sorrow
Out of sight.
10.
—Must a little weep, Love,
—Foolish me!
And so fall asleep, Love,
Loved by thee.
—Must a little weep, Love,
—Foolish me!
And so fall asleep, Love,
Loved by thee.