My Heart and Lute explained

"My Heart and Lute", sometimes known by its first line, "I give thee all, I can no more", is a song/poem by Thomas Moore.

In Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll, Alice recognizes the tune used in the song called Ways and Means sung by the White Knight.

The poem

I give thee all—I can no moreThough poor the off'ring be;My heart and lute are all the storeThat I can bring to thee.A lute whose gentle song revealsthe soul of love full well;And, better far, a heart that feelsMuch more than lute could tell.

Though love and song may fail, alas!To keep life's clouds away,At least 'twill make them lighter passOr gild them if they stay.And ev'n if care, at moments, flingsA discord o'er life's happy strain,Let love but gently touch the strings,'Twill all be sweet again!

References

The Art of Love

External links

• (multiple versions)