I Would...

I would brave the company of the damn'd

But to glimpse Heaven in thy smile;

I would walk thrice 'round the world

And hold the frozen hand of Death

Just to hold thee, just to kiss thee...

I would leave the crooning oceans

For the silence of the mountains

But to be thy love eternal and never to be left;

I would sing my song of solitude

To every storm and gentle breeze

If they might blow thee near to me...

I would forsake the world I've known,

Forswear my dreams to date,

If in this world and dreams a'new

I shall find thee next to me...

I would put down the poet's pen

And desert it forevermore

If this displeases thee;

I would break a thousand hearts,

If thine I could but heal...

I would doff each mask I ever wore

And show thee plain my soul,

If thou would'st hold me in thine own;

And I would bid thee a soft farewell,

If it would mean thine happiness...

But I would not wait forever -

No, I cannot wait forever -

Though my heart with thee would be left...