| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Thoughts | | By Coventry Patmore (1823–1896) |
| | I. CONSTANCY I VOW’D unvarying faith; and she, | |
| To whom in full I pay that vow, | |
| Rewards me with variety | |
| Which men who change can never know. | |
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II. SHAME THE WRONG is made and measured by | 5 |
| The right’s inverted dignity. | |
| Change love to shame, as love is high | |
| So low in hell your bed shall be. | |
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III. ATTAINMENT YOU love? That ’s high as you shall go: | |
| For ’tis as true as Gospel text, | 10 |
| Not noble then is never so, | |
| Either in this world or the next. | |
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IV. SENSUALITY WHO pleasure follows pleasure slays; | |
| God’s wrath upon himself he wreaks; | |
| But all delights rejoice his days | 15 |
| Who takes with thanks and never seeks. | |
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V. COURTESY LOVE’S perfect blossom only blows | |
| Where noble manners veil defect. | |
| Angels may be familiar; those | |
| Who err each other must respect. | 20 | | | |
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