Thou art so used, Love, to thine own bird's song,---
Sung to thine ear in love's low monotone,
Sung to thee only, Love, to thee alone
Of all the listening world,---that I among
My doubts find this the leader of the throng:
Haply the music hath accustomed grown
And no more music is to thee; my own
Too faithful argument works its own wrong.
Love, Love, and must I learn for thy sweet sake
The art of silence?---Ah, then hide the light
Of thy dear countenance, lest the music wake!
Yet should thy bird at last fall silent quite,
Would not thy heart an unused sorrow take?
Think not of me but of thyself to-night.
Richard Watson Gilder