Love In The Guise Of Friendship

Talk not of love, it gives me pain,

For love has been my foe;

He bound me in an iron chain,

And plung'd me deep in woe.

But friendship's pure and lasting joys,

My heart was form'd to prove;

There, welcome win and wear the prize,

But never talk of love.

Your friendship much can make me blest,

O why that bliss destroy?

Why urge the only, one request You know I will deny?

Your thought, if Love must harbour there,

Conceal it in that thought;

Nor cause me from my bosom tear The very friend I sought.