FROM H.

I lie, whene’er as if by chance

I fix on thee my gaze;

I lie, whene’er my saddened glance

Upon another strays.

I lie, whene’er I strive to speak

To thee with unconcern;

For while to laugh and joke I seek,

My heavy heart doth burn.

I lie, whene’er I feign to shun

The meeting I have sought;

While hanging on each word of thine

I strive to seem distraught.

’Tis all a lie! Yet for the lie

I scarce reproached can be,

When I declare, ’fore God I swear,

How great my love for thee.