Sonnets from the Portuguese — Can it be right to give what I can give?

IX

Can it be right to give what I can give?

To let thee sit beneath the fall of tears As salt as mine, and hear the sighing years Re-sighing on my lips renunciative Through those infrequent smiles which fail to live For all thy adjurations?

O my fears, That this can scarce be right!

We are not peers So to be lovers; and I own, and grieve, That givers of such gifts as mine are, must Be counted with the ungenerous.

Out, alas!

I will not soil thy purple with my dust, Nor breathe my poison on thy Venice-glass, Nor give thee any love—which were unjust.

Beloved, I only love thee!

let it pass.