| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Alice Meynell. b. 1850 |
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| 879. Renouncement |
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| I MUST not think of thee; and, tired yet strong, | |
| I shun the love that lurks in all delight— | |
| The love of thee—and in the blue heaven's height, | |
| And in the dearest passage of a song. | |
| Oh, just beyond the sweetest thoughts that throng | 5 |
| This breast, the thought of thee waits hidden yet bright; | |
| But it must never, never come in sight; | |
| I must stop short of thee the whole day long. | |
| But when sleep comes to close each difficult day, | |
| When night gives pause to the long watch I keep, | 10 |
| And all my bonds I needs must loose apart, | |
| Must doff my will as raiment laid away,— | |
| With the first dream that comes with the first sleep | |
| I run, I run, I am gather'd to thy heart. | |
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