Poem by Henry Van Dyke

Without Disguise

If I have erred in showing all my heart, 
And lost your favour by a lack of pride;
If standing like a beggar at your side 
With naked feet, I have forgot the art
Of those who bargain well in passion’s mart,
And win the thing they want by what they hide;
Be mine the fault as mine the hope denied, 
Be mine the lover’s and the loser’s part. 

The sin, if sin it was, I do repent,
And take the penance on myself alone;
Yet after I have borne the punishment,
I shall not fear to stand before the throne
Of Love with open heart, and make this plea:
”At least I have not lied to her nor Thee!”

1. The Gentle Traveller
2. Hesper
3. Patria
4. To Julia Marlowe
5. A Health to Mark Twain

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