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, 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 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.
 

 -Elizabeth Barrett Browning-