DO I LOVE THEE?
———
BY RICHARD COE, JR.
———
Do I love thee? Ask the flower
If it love the pearly tear
That, at evening’s quiet hour,
Falleth soft and clear,
Its gentle form to bless?
If, perchance, it answer “yes!”
Answer thee sincerely—
Then I love with earnestness,
Then I love thee dearly!
Do I love thee? Ask the child,
If it love its mother dear?
If it love her accents mild?
Love her fond, sincere,
Tender and warm caress?
If, perchance, it answer “yes!”
Answer thee sincerely—
Then I love with earnestness,
Then I love thee dearly!
Do I love thee? Ay! I love thee
Better far than words can tell;
All around and all above me
Lives a charméd spell,
My spirit sad to bless!
Then I fondly answer “yes!”
Answer thee sincerely—
That I love with earnestness,
That I love thee dearly!