I Love Thee, Sweet Mary.
By John Clare
I love thee, sweet Mary, but love thee in fear; Were I but the morning breeze, healthful and airy, As thou goest a-walking I'd breathe in thine ear, And whisper and sigh, how I love thee, my Mary! I wish but to touch thee, but wish it in vain; Wert thou but a streamlet, a-winding so clearly, And I little globules of soft dropping rain, How fond would I press thy white bosom, my Mary! I would steal a kiss, but I dare not presume; Wert thou but a rose in thy garden, sweet fairy, And I a bold bee for to rifle its bloom, A whole Summer's day would I kiss thee, my Mary! I long to be with thee, but cannot tell how; Wert thou but the elder that grows by thy dairy, And I the blest woodbine to twine on the bough, I'd embrace thee and cling to thee ever, my Mary!
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"I love thee, sweet Mary, but love thee in fear;..."
John Clare's contribution to classic is further solidified by the brilliance found in "I Love Thee, Sweet Mary."... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...