I loved thee, though I told thee not, <br />Right earlily and long, <br />Thou wert my joy in every spot, <br />My theme in every song. <br />And when I saw a stranger face <br />Where beauty held the claim, <br />I gave it like a secret grace <br />The being of thy name. <br />And all the charms of face or voice <br />Which I in others see <br />Are but the recollected choice <br />Of what I felt for thee.<br /><br />John Clare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-secret/
