What shall I your true love tell?

By Francis Thompson

What shall I your true love tell,

Earth forsaking maid?

What shall I your true love tell

When life's spectre's laid?

"Tell him that, our side the grave,

Maid may not believe

Life should be so sad to have,

That's so sad to leave!"

What shall I your true love tell

When I come to him?

What shall I your true love tell

Eyes growing dim?

"Tell him this, when you shall part

From a maiden pined;

That I see him with my heart,

Now my eyes are blind."

What shall I your true love tell

Speaking while is scant?

What shall I your true love tell

Death's white postulant?

"Tell him love, with speech at strife,

For last utterance saith:

`I who loved with all my life,

Loved with all my death.'"