| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| If Only Thou Art True |
| | | George Barlow (b. 1847) |
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| IF only a single rose is left, | |
| Why should the summer pine? | |
| A blade of grass in a rocky cleft; | |
| A single star to shine. | |
| —Why should I sorrow if all be lost, | 5 |
| If only thou art mine? | |
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| If only a single bluebell gleams | |
| Bright on the barren heath, | |
| Still of that flower the Summer dreams, | |
| Not of his August wreath. | 10 |
| —Why should I sorrow if thou art mine, | |
| Love, beyond change and death? | |
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| If only once on a wintry day | |
| The sun shines forth in the blue, | |
| He gladdens the groves till they laugh as in May | 15 |
| And dream of the touch of the dew. | |
| —Why should I sorrow if all be false, | |
| If only thou art true? | |
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