| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1294. Love’s Wisdom |
| | | By Margaret Deland |
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| HOW long I ’ve loved thee, and how well— | |
| I dare not tell! | |
| Because, if thou shouldst once divine | |
| This love of mine, | |
| Or did but once my tongue confess | 5 |
| My heart’s distress, | |
| Far, far too plainly thou wouldst see | |
| My slavery, | |
| And, guessing what Love’s wit should hide, | |
| Rest satisfied! | 10 |
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| So, though I worship at thy feet, | |
| I ’ll be discreet— | |
| And all my love shall not be told, | |
| Lest thou be cold, | |
| And, knowing I was always thine, | 15 |
| Scorn to be mine. | |
| So am I dumb, to rescue thee | |
| From tyranny— | |
| And, by my silence, I do prove | |
| Wisdom and Love! | 20 |
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