Poems (Truesdell)/The Vow
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.