Proof and Disproof

I.
Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?
&nbspWho shall answer yes or no?
What is provèd or disprovèd
&nbspWhen my soul inquireth so,
Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?

II.
I have seen thy heart to-day,
&nbspNever open to the crowd,
While to love me aye and aye
&nbspWas the vow as it was vowed
By thine eyes of steadfast grey.

III.
Now I sit alone, alone—
&nbspAnd the hot tears break and burn,
Now, Belovèd, thou art gone,
&nbspDoubt and terror have their turn.
Is it love that I have known?

IV.
I have known some bitter things,—
&nbspAnguish, anger, solitude.
Year by year an evil brings,
&nbspYear by year denies a good;
March winds violate my springs.

V.
I have known how sickness bends,
&nbspI have known how sorrow breaks,—
How quick hopes have sudden ends,
&nbspHow the heart thinks till it aches
Of the smile of buried friends.

VI.
Last, I have known thee, my brave
&nbspNoble thinker, lover, doer!
The best knowledge last I have.
&nbspBut thou comest as the thrower
Of fresh flowers upon a grave.

VII.
Count what feelings used to move me!
&nbspCan this love assort with those?
Thou, who art so far above me,
&nbspWilt thou stoop so, for repose?
Is it true that thou canst love me?

VIII.
Do not blame me if I doubt thee.
&nbspI can call love by its name
When thine arm is wrapt about me;
&nbspBut even love seems not the same,
When I sit alone, without thee.

IX.
In thy clear eyes I descried
&nbspMany a proof of love, to-day;
But to-night, those unbelied
&nbspSpeechful eyes being gone away,
There’s the proof to seek, beside.

X.
Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?
&nbspOnly thou canst answer yes!
And, thou gone, the proof’s disprovèd,
&nbspAnd the cry rings answerless—
Dost thou love me, my Belovèd?