I WOULD be a goddess in	
  The light of those dear eyes	
Apt to hold you as to win,	
  All-beautiful, all-wise.	
Pray you wherefore should you deem	        5
This a vain and idle dream?	
  Purblind love that cannot see	
  That woman still to man may be	
Whatever she can seem!	
 
I would win your tender trust,	        10
  But not to keep you still	
Kneeling lowly in the dust,	
  Obedient to my will;	
Nor to surfeit all my days	
On the nectar of your praise;	        15
  Or to hear it sung so high	
  That the idle passer-by	
Paused to hear your lays.	
 
I but ask you for your faith	
  That, wounded by the herd,	        20
I may bring you healing with	
  The magic of a word.	
Pray you to believe me so	
That in darkness, doubt, or woe,	
  I may guide you when you grope,	        25
  Light you with my stronger hope,	
Warm you with my glow.	
 
I would have you love me well,	
  That, fainting in the strife,	
Kiss of mine should be a spell,	        30
  To win you back to life;	
Love me so that day or night,	
I could hide the world from sight,	
  Keep it out with woven arms,	
  Or subdue it with my charms,	        35
As a goddess might!	
 
Love! my worth will wax or wane	
  As your light shall shine,	
Now a homely thing, or vain,	
  Now almost divine.	        40
Lorn of love, my hands hang down,	
I am nothing when you frown;	
  Hold me fair, and keep me great,	
  With your faithfulness for state,	
And your love for crown!	        45