Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sonnets from the Portuguese, 14

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
'I love her for her smile-her look-her way
Of speaking gently,-for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'-
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee,-and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry,-
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.

Love, romance and relationship quotes for your soul

• 'To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.'
  ~ David Viscott
• 'The first duty of love is to listen.'
  ~ Paul Tillich
• 'A fastidious person in the throes of love is a rich source of mirth.'
  ~ Martha Duffy