Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 1 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

The Silent Lover II

Wrong not, sweet empress of my heart,

The merit of true passion,

With thinking that he feels no smart,

That sues for no compassion.

Silence in love bewrays more woe

Than words, though ne'er so witty:

A beggar that is dumb, you know,

May challenge double pity.

Then wrong not, dearest to my heart,

My true, though secret passion;

He smarteth most that hides his smart,

And sues for no compassion.

— Sir Walter Raleigh
1552-1618   


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