Sonnets from the Portuguese — Oh yes! they love all through this world of ours!

XL

Oh, yes!

they love through all this world of ours!

I will not gainsay love, called love forsooth: I have heard love talked in my early youth, And since, not so long back but that the flowers Then gathered, smell still.

Mussulmans and Giaours Throw kerchiefs at a smile, and have no ruth For any weeping.

Polypheme’s white tooth Slips on the nut if, after frequent showers, The shell is over-smooth,—and not so much Will turn the thing called love, aside to hate Or else to oblivion.

But thou art not such A lover, my Belovëd!

thou canst wait Through sorrow and sickness, to bring souls to touch, And think it soon when others cry “Too late.

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