No—not to win the world's applause
Would I be great or good or wise;
But to find favour in your eyes
And win one smile from you—because,
O Fairest Fair, I love you.
Power or riches to obtain
By aught that I could do or dare,
I would not strive, I should not care,
So long as I must say in vain,—
O Sweetest Sweet, I love you.
But if I thought that by my death
You could be mov'd to pity me,
Then would I die right joyfully,
And tell you with my latest breath,—
O Dearest Dear, I love you.