Privately, I think this, but publicly, I say that.
I hate them equally: the public dog, and the private cat.
I don’t love her publicly, I love her for myself.
I don’t love her for them, I won’t put her on the shelf.
Call off the wedding then, and let me have her alone.
Words will blab to the mob; she is my sweet moan.
I don’t love her privately, for that’s a public of one—
No matter how secret my vow, it will be seen by the sun.
I love her without comparison, without reason or challenge or trial,
I kiss her in a perfumed bed that goes underground for a mile.
Love was in the beginning, so love cannot be taught.
Leave us! Return! to the surface of the earth and thought.