From H.
The Lie’s Excuse
I lie, whene’er as if by chance
I fix on thee my gaze;
I lie, whene’er my saddened glance
Upon another strays.
I lie, whene’er I strive to speak
To thee with unconcern;
For while to laugh and joke I seek,
My heavy heart doth burn.
I lie, whene’er I feign to shun
The meeting I have sought;
While hanging on each word of thine
I strive to seem distraught.
’Tis all a lie! Yet for the lie
I scarce reproached can be,
When I declare, ’fore God I swear,
How great my love for thee.