THE time I've lost in wooing, In watching and pursuing The light that lies In woman's eyes, Has been my heart's undoing. Though Wisdom oft has sought me, I scorned the lore she brought me, My only books Were woman's looks, And folly 's all they taught me. Her smile when Beauty granted, I hung with gaze enchanted, Like him the sprite Whom maids by night Oft met in glen that's haunted. But while her eyes were on me, Like him, too, Beauty won me, If once their ray Was turned away, O! winds could not outrun me. And are those follies going? And is my proud heart growing Too cold or wise For brilliant eyes Again to set it glowing? No, vain, alas! the endeavour From bonds so sweet to sever; Poor Wisdom's chance Against a glance Is now as weak as ever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TEN YEARS OLD by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE MENTAL TRAVELLER by WILLIAM BLAKE MARY AND GABRIEL by RUPERT BROOKE THE KITTEN AND THE FALLING LEAVES by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH TIME'S REVENGE by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS |