Poems (Truesdell)/The Vow

by Helen Truesdell

THE VOW.

I pledge me not to love another,—
 I bind me by a vow
To love, in clear and cloudy weather,
 None other one but thou.

Though others tell me that I'm fair,
 And whisper in mine ear
That I have all endowments rare,
 Still, still I will not hear.

Then cast away thy jealous fears,
 And list to what I say—
My heart thy kindness always cheers,
 Then smile on me, I pray.

Thou foolish one! thou canst not know
 How fondly thou art loved,
Or thou wouldst never doubt mo so,
 When faithful I have proved.

Say, wouldst thou never have me smile
 But when I smile on thee?
Nor seek thy absence to beguile,
 When friends are kind to me?

Wouldst have me coldly turn away,
 And slight those friends so true?
Nor ever have a single thought,
 But what I give to you?

Then be it so! I'll love thee still,
 With more than woman's love;
Though all unkind must be thy will,
 By tenderness I'll prove

That thou art all in all to me,—
 The dearest and the best,—
I only wish thy smiles to see,
 And I am more than blest.