Elizabeth Barrett Browning — Proof and Disproof

I. Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?        &nbspWho shall answer yes or no? What is provèd or disprovèd        &nbspWhen my soul inquireth so, Dost thou love me, my Belovèd? II. I have seen thy heart to-day,        &nbspNever open to the crowd, While to love me aye and aye        &nbspWas the vow as it was vowed By thine eyes of steadfast grey. III. Now I sit alone, alone—        &nbspAnd the hot tears break and burn, Now, Belovèd, thou art gone,        &nbspDoubt and terror have their turn. Is it love that I have known? IV. I have known some bitter things,—        &nbspAnguish, anger, solitude. Year by year an evil brings,        &nbspYear by year denies a good; March winds violate my springs. V. I have known how sickness bends,        &nbspI have known how sorrow breaks,— How quick hopes have sudden ends,        &nbspHow the heart thinks till it aches Of the smile of buried friends. VI. Last, I have known thee, my brave        &nbspNoble thinker, lover, doer! The best knowledge last I have.        &nbspBut thou comest as the thrower Of fresh flowers upon a grave. VII. Count what feelings used to move me!        &nbspCan this love assort with those? Thou, who art so far above me,        &nbspWilt thou stoop so, for repose? Is it true that thou canst love me? VIII. Do not blame me if I doubt thee.        &nbspI can call love by its name When thine arm is wrapt about me;        &nbspBut even love seems not the same, When I sit alone, without thee. IX. In thy clear eyes I descried        &nbspMany a proof of love, to-day; But to-night, those unbelied        &nbspSpeechful eyes being gone away, There’s the proof to seek, beside. X. Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?        &nbspOnly thou canst answer yes! And, thou gone, the proof’s disprovèd,        &nbspAnd the cry rings answerless— Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?