Sonnet for J

Of what worth is love, if love can be bought?

It be not sold, nor bid, for any price,

can only be offered; a sacrifice

to love unloved - else love counteth for naught.

Conditional love hath not purity,

be called not love, if it thus be sullied;

an inferior shadow, pale and palsied -

hath lost all its meaning and its beauty.

But this, mine love for thee is free and pure

and true. Loving thee for thy sake alone;

not bought by gold, silver, nor precious stone,

untainted by selfish gain; would endure

sorrow 'til time's end if that be my lot,

would cease not to love, though thou lovest not.