A Woman's Last Word

Robert Browning

	I.

Let's contend no more, Love,
  Strive nor weep:
All be as before, Love,
  ---Only sleep!

	II.

What so wild as words are?
  I and thou
In debate, as birds are,
  Hawk on bough!

	III.

See the creature stalking
  While we speak!
Hush and hide the talking,
  Cheek on cheek!

	IV.

What so false as truth is,
  False to thee?
Where the serpent's tooth is
  Shun the tree---

	V.

Where the apple reddens
  Never pry---
Lest we lose our Edens,
  Eve and I.

	VI.

Be a god and hold me
  With a charm!
Be a man and fold me
  With thine arm!

	VII.

Teach me, only teach, Love
  As I ought
I will speak thy speech, Love,
  Think thy thought---

	VIII.

Meet, if thou require it,
  Both demands,
Laying flesh and spirit
  In thy hands.

	IX.

That shall be to-morrow
  Not to-night:
I must bury sorrow
  Out of sight:

	X

---Must a little weep, Love,
  (Foolish me!)
And so fall asleep, Love,
  Loved by thee.

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