Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Alice Meynell. b. 1850879. Renouncement
I MUST not think of thee; and, tired yet strong, | |
I shun the love that lurks in all delight— | |
The love of thee—and in the blue heaven’s height, | |
And in the dearest passage of a song. | |
Oh, just beyond the sweetest thoughts that throng | 5 |
This breast, the thought of thee waits hidden yet bright; | |
But it must never, never come in sight; | |
I must stop short of thee the whole day long. | |
But when sleep comes to close each difficult day, | |
When night gives pause to the long watch I keep, | 10 |
And all my bonds I needs must loose apart, | |
Must doff my will as raiment laid away,— | |
With the first dream that comes with the first sleep | |
I run, I run, I am gather’d to thy heart. |