Why should I care for love? The urgent rose—
What does she promise the heart and what fulfill?
“Delight, delight” she whispers, and she goes …
But love the rose outbidding is falser still.

Why should I care for love? But hush, oh hush!
What bird is singing in the dawn “Forget
The spring,” and, you,—have you forgotten, thrush?…
But love the thrush outsinging is falser yet.

Why should I care for love? Love does not care
Whether you care or do not care, says she!
But ask your lips how the rose smells in my hair,
If the thrush beats at my heart—here—Anthony!