Yes, love me, love me well. You need not fear
To hurt me further. Like a careless knight
That riding lonely, with averted sight,
Has struck a passer unawares, so here
Have you struck me amid the branches sere
Of this dark forest. If you now alight,
Give water to my lips and through the night
Keep peril from me, with the morning's clear
New dawn I'll rise again, and both will reap
The mercy of the wound you dealt. Asleep,
Awake, I'll be your shield-bearer, and guard
Your steps upon this road so long and hard.
Then help us both, for all the love you give
But turns to strength whereby we both may live.