Page:Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell (Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë, 1846).djvu/125

Rh PREFERENCE.

in scorn do I reprove thee,

Not in pride thy vows I waive,

But, believe, I could not love thee,

Wert thou prince, and I a slave.

These, then, are thine oaths of passion?

This, thy tenderness for me?

Judged, even, by thine own confession,

Thou art steeped in perfidy.

Having vanquished, thou wouldst leave me!

Thus I read thee long ago;

Therefore, dared I not deceive thee,

Even with friendship's gentle show.

Therefore, with impassive coldness

Have I ever met thy gaze;

Though, full oft, with daring boldness,

Thou thine eyes to mine didst raise.

Why that smile? Thou now art deeming

This my coldness all untrue,—

But a mask of frozen seeming,

Hiding secret fires from view.

Touch my hand, thou self-deceiver;

Nay—be calm, for I am so:

Does it burn? Does my lip quiver?