gazing where thou art

I do not love thee!—no! I do not love thee! 

    And yet when thou art absent I am sad; 

And envy even the bright blue sky above thee, 

    Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad. 

 

I do not love thee!—yet, I know not why, 

    Whate'er thou dost seems still well done, to me: 

And often in my solitude I sigh 

    That those I do love are not more like thee! 

 

I do not love thee!—yet, when thou art gone, 

    I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear) 

Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone 

    Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear. 

 

I do not love thee!—yet thy speaking eyes, 

    With their deep, bright and most expressive blue, 

Between me and the midnight heaven arise, 

    Oftener than any eyes I ever knew. 

 

I know I do not love thee! yet, alas! 

    Others will scarcely trust my candid heart; 

And oft I catch them smiling as they pass, 

    Because they see me gazing where thou art. 

 

[Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton {1808-1877} 'I Do Not Love Thee', from She Walks in Beauty]