By Words or by Smiles

By words or by smiles do not judge of my love,
For poor is the feeling that words can express,
And smiles can as ill real tenderness prove,
For never dwells mirth with true passions excess,
But trust to the looks which still hang upon yours,
As if from your eyes my existence I drew,
Trust the patience that anguish in silence endures,
Trust the cheek that is pale with fond pity for you.

As Ivy still clings to the ruin the more,
As faster and faster, that ruin decays,
So I shall your worth the more fondly adore,
As the cloud grows more dark, which o'er shadows your days;
Then trust to the looks which still hang upon yours,
As if from your eyes my existence I drew,
Trust the patience that anguish in silence endures,
Trust the cheek that is pale with fond pity for you.