| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Song: ‘Seek not the tree of silkiest bark’ | | By Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902) |
| | | SEEK not the tree of silkiest bark | |
| And balmiest bud, | |
| To carve her name while yet ’tis dark | |
| Upon the wood! | |
| The world is full of noble tasks | 5 |
| And wreaths hard won; | |
| Each work demands strong hearts, strong hands, | |
| Till day is done. | |
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| Sing not that violet-veinèd skin, | |
| That cheek’s pale roses, | 10 |
| The lily of that form wherein | |
| Her soul reposes! | |
| Forth to the fight, true man! true knight! | |
| The clash of arms | |
| Shall more prevail than whisper’d tale | 15 |
| To win her charms. | |
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| The warrior for the True, the Right, | |
| Fights in Love’s name; | |
| The love that lures thee from the fight | |
| Lures thee to shame: | 20 |
| That love which lifts the heart, yet leaves | |
| The spirit free,— | |
| That love, or none, is fit for one | |
| Man-shaped like thee. | | | | |
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