I Would Pretend

Now that between us there is nothing more

To say, I would have loud and foolish speech

With you, I would pretend I still adore

Your voice: 'Come, beautiful, draw near and teach

The way my hands should go in a caress-

Should fingers trail as pink feet of a crane

That skim the water?-or should fingers press

Their weight heavily?" Draw near me again-

What does it matter if the words you say

Are lies, if they be sweet to listen to?

Your lips are quite as cruel, quite as gay

As ever; and your eyes are honest blue. . . .

Oh, be sublimely false (who are not true)-

And I'll pretend I love you . . . as I do!