If thou'dst have me, fair, obey thee,
Thou another heart must give.

One with stern indifference steeling,
That could know thee and be free,
One that all thy virtues feeling,
Could exist removed from thee.

That in which thine image blooming,
Holds an empire all its own,
Which, though thou to grief art dooming,
Lives, fair maid, in thee alone;

Every thought to thee addresses,
Filled by thee with visions bright,
Even 'midst sorrows, pains, distresses,
Thou'rt its comfort, hope, delight.

I be faithless! love avowing,
To thee first I bent my knee,
Even with soul thy looks endowing,
First I knew _it_ knowing _thee_.

Yes, my soul to thee returning,
Thine own gift do I restore,
Thou the offering proudly spurning,
I its charm can know no more.

Do not bid me, hope resigning,
My fond vows of love to cease,