| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | VI. “No gentle touches of your timid hand” | | By George Henry Boker (1823–1890) |
| | | NO gentle touches of your timid hand,— | |
| No shuddering kisses pressed upon my lip, | |
| ’Twixt fear and passion,—no bold words that strip | |
| The feigning garb off in which we two stand, | |
| Acting our parts, at the harsh world’s command,— | 5 |
| No deed that offers to our dust a sip | |
| Of heavenly nectar,—no incautious slip, | |
| To wring a tear, yet calmly bear the brand, | |
| For the great love through which we were betrayed! | |
| Love flies with us on sorely crippled wings: | 10 |
| Prudence, and interest, and the bitter stings | |
| Of shrewd distrust, are doled me. I am made | |
| A beggar on your bounty. Lend me aid: | |
| My heart starves, lady, on these wretched things. | | | | |
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