“IF YOU SHOULD CEASE TO LOVE ME”

If you should cease to love me, tell me so! I could not bear to feel your ardent hand That waked the chords of life to understand, Hold mine less closely; no, belovèd, no; If you should cease to love me, tell me so! If you should cease to love me, do not dare To meet me with a masque of tenderness; I could not stoop to suffer one caress That any other had the right to share,— If you should cease to love me, do not dare! If you should cease to love me, do not fear— I would not have you think I made one claim. If your great love should pass, there is no blame; For love grown cold, I would not shed a tear;— If you should cease to love me, do not fear! If you should cease to love me, let us part, As friends who part for all eternity; Let us make grave the reverent obsequy For what was once our very soul and heart— If you should cease to love me, let us part! But while you love me, keep our hearts’ deep faith As some High Priest would guard the holy place; Let me not see the shame upon your face Of one unworthy of Love’s vital breath, So while you love me, keep our hearts’ high faith! Thus, if you cease to love me, save my soul By having kept our love so pure and high That if the time must come when it shall die, I may retain my treasure fair and whole,— If you should cease to love me,—save my soul!