Explore "Stanzas. Acton Bell" by Charlotte Brontë on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Oh, weep not, love! each tear that springs / In those dear eyes of thine, / To me a keener suffering brings / Than if they flowed from mine.
And do not droop! however drear / The fate awaiting thee; / For MY sake combat pain and care, / And cherish life for me!
I do not fear thy love will fail; / Thy faith is true, I know; / But, oh, my love! thy strength is frail / For such a life of woe.
Were 't not for this, I well could trace / (Though banished long from thee) / Life's rugged path, and boldly face / The storms that threaten me.
Fear not for me -- I've steeled my mind / Sorrow and strife to greet; / Joy with my love I leave behind, / Care with my friends I meet.
A mother's sad reproachful eye, / A father's scowling brow -- / But he may frown and she may sigh: / I will not break my vow!
I love my mother, I revere / My sire, but fear not me -- / Believe that Death alone can tear / This faithful heart from thee.