Stephen Sondheim - Is This What You Call Love? lyrics

[GIORGIO] Is this what you call love? This endless and insatiable Smothering pursuit of me You think that this is love? I'm sorry that you're lonely I'm sorry that you want me as you do I'm sorry that I fail to feel The way you wish me to feel I'm sorry that you're ill I'm sorry you're in pain I'm sorry that you aren't beautiful But yes, I wish you'd go away And leave me alone! Everywhere I turn, there you are This is not love, but some kind of obsession Will you never learn when too far is too far? Have you no concern for what I feel, what I want? [Giorgio points at Clara's letter.] Love is what you earn And return When you care for another So much that the other's set free Don't you see? Can't you understand? Love's not a constant demand It's a gift you bestow Love isn't sudden surrender It's tender and slow It must grow! Yet everywhere I go You appear or I know you are near This is not love, just a need for possession Call it what you will This is not love, this is a reverse Like a curse, something out of control I've begun to fear for my soul! (Music stops; a loud clap of thunder is heard. Trembling, Fosca shudders momentarily and crumples to the ground. Giorgio turns and sees her lying there; he crosses the stage past her and begins to exit. He stops, pauses for a moment, then reluctantly returns to her, covering her with his coat. He picks her up and carries her offstage as the lights fade to black.)