| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| One Way of Love |
| | | Robert Browning (1812–89) |
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| ALL June I bound the rose in sheaves. | |
| Now, rose by rose, I strip the leaves | |
| And strow them where Pauline may pass. | |
| She will not turn aside? Alas! | |
| Let them lie. Suppose they die? | 5 |
| The chance was they might take her eye. | |
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| How many a month I strove to suit | |
| These stubborn fingers to the lute! | |
| To-day I venture all I know. | |
| She will not hear my music? So! | 10 |
| Break the string; fold music’s wing: | |
| Suppose Pauline had bade me sing! | |
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| My whole life long I learn’d to love. | |
| This hour my utmost art I prove | |
| And speak my passion—heaven or hell? | 15 |
| She will not give me heaven? ’T is well! | |
| Lose who may—I still can say, | |
| Those who win heaven, bless’d are they! | |
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