I. <br />Mine eyes were dim with tears unshed; <br />Yes, I was firm -- thus wert not thou;-- <br />My baffled looks did fear yet dread <br />To meet thy looks -- I could not know <br />How anxiously they sought to shine <br />With soothing pity upon mine. <br /> <br />II. <br />To sit and curb the soul's mute rage <br />Which preys upon itself alone; <br />To curse the life which is the cage <br />Of fettered grief that dares not groan, <br />Hiding from many a careless eye <br />The scornèd load of agony. <br /> <br />III. <br />Whilst thou alone, then not regarded, <br />The thou alone should be, <br />To spend years thus, and be rewarded, <br />As thou, sweet love, requited me <br />When none were near -- Oh! I did wake <br />From torture for that moment's sake. <br /> <br />IV. <br />Upon my heart thy accents sweet <br />Of peace and pity fell like dew <br />On flowers half dead;-- thy lips did meet <br />Mine tremblingly; thy dark eyes threw <br />Their soft persuasion on my brain, <br />Charming away its dream of pain. <br /> <br />V. <br />We are not happy, sweet! our state <br />Is strange and full of doubt and fear; <br />More need of words that ills abate;-- <br />Reserve or censure come not near <br />Our sacred friendship, lest there be <br />No solace left for thee and me. <br /> <br />VI. <br />Gentle and good and mild thou art, <br />Nor can I live if thou appear <br />Aught but thyself, or turn thine heart <br />Away from me, or stoop to wear <br />The mask of scorn, although it be <br />To hide the love thou feel'st for me.<br /><br />Percy Bysshe Shelley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-mary-wollstonecraft-godwin/
