Mine is a wayward lay; <br />And, if its echoing rhymes I try to string, <br /> Proveth a truant thing, <br />Whenso some names I love, send it away! <br /> <br /> For then, eyes swimming o'er, <br />And clasped hands, and smiles in fondness meant, <br /> Are much more eloquent -- <br />So it had fain begone, and speak no more! <br /> <br /> Yet shall it come again, <br />Ah, friend belov'd! if so thy wishes be, <br /> And, with wild melody, <br />I will, upon thine ear, cadence my strain -- <br /> <br /> Cadence my simple line, <br />Unfashion'd by the cunning hand of Art, <br /> But coming from my heart, <br />To tell the message of its love to thine! <br /> <br /> As ocean shells, when taken <br />From Ocean's bed, will faithfully repeat <br /> Her ancient music sweet -- <br />Ev'n so these words, true to my heart, shall waken! <br /> <br /> Oh! while our bark is seen, <br />Our little bark of kindly, social love, <br /> Down life's clear stream to move <br />Toward the summer shores, where all is green -- <br /> <br /> So long thy name shall bring, <br />Echoes of joy unto the grateful gales, <br /> And thousand tender tales, <br />To freshen the fond hearts that round thee cling! <br /> <br /> Hast thou not look'd upon <br />The flowerets of the field in lowly dress? <br /> Blame not my simpleness -- <br />Think only of my love! -- my song is gone.<br /><br />Elizabeth Barrett Browning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-10/
