| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton. 1808–1876 |
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| 692. I do not love Thee |
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| I DO not love thee!—no! I do not love thee! | |
| And yet when thou art absent I am sad; | |
| And envy even the bright blue sky above thee, | |
| Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad. | |
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| I do not love thee!—yet, I know not why, | 5 |
| Whate'er thou dost seems still well done, to me: | |
| And often in my solitude I sigh | |
| That those I do love are not more like thee! | |
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| I do not love thee!—yet, when thou art gone, | |
| I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear) | 10 |
| Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone | |
| Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear. | |
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| I do not love thee!—yet thy speaking eyes, | |
| With their deep, bright, and most expressive blue, | |
| Between me and the midnight heaven arise, | 15 |
| Oftener than any eyes I ever knew. | |
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| I know I do not love thee! yet, alas! | |
| Others will scarcely trust my candid heart; | |
| And oft I catch them smiling as they pass, | |
| Because they see me gazing where thou art. | 20 |
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