YOU ask me why I love her, br As I love nought on earth? br Why I'll put none above her br For sorrow or for mirth? br Though there be others fairer; br In spirit, richer, rarer; br With none will I compare her, br Who is to me all worth! br I love her for her beauty, br Her force, her fire, her youth, br For kisses cold as duty br Bespeak not love, but ruth. br I love her for the treasure br Of all the rapturous pleasure br Her love gives without measure br Of passion and of truth! br I love her firm possession br Of instincts fair and true; br Her hatred of oppression br And all the wrong men do; br Her fiery, unflawed purity, br Her spirit's proud security, br Defying all futurity, br And fate and fortune too.