by Vivian Locke-Ellis (1878 - 1950)

Eyes can no falsehood tell
Language: English 
Eyes can no falsehood tell, 
  'Tis only lips forswear.
None in thy sight could dwell 
  And faith not there. 

I would thine eyes were mine,
  Then thou their truth should see;
And have that perfect sign 
  Of love from me. 

But wanting thine eyes' flame,
  Though my heart burn as true,
I must use words the same
  As false ones do;

I must for thy dear sake
  Tune those old strings again,
That now had better break 
 Than speak in vain.

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with Poetry and Drama, Volume 1, London, The Poetry Bookshop, 1913, page 248.


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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2022-04-18
Line count: 16
Word count: 81