Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | III. Love’s Beginnings | | “Tell me, my heart, if this be love” | | George, Lord Lyttelton (1709–1773) |
| | | WHEN Delia on the plain appears, | |
| Awed by a thousand tender fears, | |
| I would approach, but dare not move;— | |
| Tell me, my heart, if this be love. | |
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| Whene’er she speaks, my ravished ear | 5 |
| No other voice than hers can hear; | |
| No other wit but hers approve;— | |
| Tell me, my heart, if this be love. | |
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| If she some other swain commend, | |
| Though I was once his fondest friend, | 10 |
| His instant enemy I prove;— | |
| Tell me, my heart, if this be love. | |
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| When she is absent, I no more | |
| Delight in all that pleased before, | |
| The clearest spring, the shadiest grove;— | 15 |
| Tell me, my heart, if this be love. | |
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| When fond of power, of beauty vain, | |
| Her nets she spread for every swain, | |
| I strove to hate, but vainly strove;— | |
| Tell me, my heart, if this be love. | 20 | | | |
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