Yet Might She Love Me
SHE is wilder, and more hare withal, Than beast, or bird, or tree, or stony wall. But wherefore blot I Bel-imperia's name? It is my fault, not she that merits blame. My feature is not to content her sight, My words are rude and work her no delight. The lines I send her are but harsh and ill, Such as do drop from Pan and Marsyas' quill. My presents are not of sufficient cost, And being worthless all my labour's lost. Yet might she love me for my valiancy, Ay, but that's slander'd by captivity. Yet might she love me to content her sire: Ay, but her reason masters his desire. Yet might she love me as her brother's friend, Ay, but her hopes aim at some other end. Yet might she love me to uprear her state, Ay, but perhaps she hopes some nobler mate. Yet might she love me as her beauty's thrall, Ay, but I fear she cannot love at all. From «The Spanish Tragedy»
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