Should I love him or should I leave him

D. Melamet

Should I love him

or should I leave him,

he to whom my heart has already secretly yielded?

Should I teach myself

to hate him deeply?

Advise me well but do not dissuade me!

To be sure he is wild

and short-tempered in manner -

no one can understand how I can like him so well.

But so saintly he can be

when he begs!

Advise me well but do not dissuade me!

I could have a man more wealthy,

or more intelligent;

it is good in life to have a reliable staff.

But I will not give up

my wild boy to anyone...

Advise me well but do not dissuade me!

If I let myself remain infatuated

with a bad selection,

it would be better if I simply laid myself in the grave.

It is always intelligent

to heed advice...

Advise me well but do not dissuade me!