The Woodlanders — Chapter XXV

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)

"If I forget,The salt creek may forget the ocean;If I forgetThe heart whence flows my heart's bright motion,May I sink meanlier than the worstAbandoned, outcast, crushed, accurst,If I forget.

"Though you forget,No word of mine shall mar your pleasure;Though you forget,You filled my barren life with treasure,You may withdraw the gift you gave;You still are queen, I still am slave,Though you forget."