Poem by James Russell Lowell

Something Natural

                  I.

    When first I saw thy soul-deep eyes,
  My heart yearned to thee instantly,
  Strange longing in my soul did rise;
  I cannot tell the reason why,
  But I must love thee till I die.

                 II.

    The sight of thee hath well-nigh grown
  As needful to me as the light;
  I am unrestful when alone,
  And my heart doth not beat aright
  Except it dwell within thy sight.

                III.

    And yet--and yet--O selfish love!
  I am not happy even with thee;
  I see thee in thy brightness move,
  And cannot well contented be,
  Save thou should'st shine alone for me.

                 IV.

    We should love beauty even as flowers--
  For all, 'tis said, they bud and blow,
  They are the world's as well as ours--
  But thou--alas! God made thee grow
  So fair, I cannot love thee so!

1. Fancies about a Rosebud, Pressed in an Old Copy of Spenser
2. To ----
3. I Fain Would Give to Thee the Loveliest Things
4. The Lost Child
5. I Saw a Gate: a Harsh Voice Spake and Said

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