Deem as ye list, upon good cause I may or think of this or that: But what or why myself best knows Whereby I think and fear not. But thereunto I may well think The doubtful sentence of this clause: I would it were not as I think, I would I thought it were not. For if I thought it were not so, Though it were so it griev'd me not: Unto my thought it were as though I hearkened though I hear not. At that I see I cannot wink, Nor from my thought so let it go. I would it were not as I think, I would I thought it were not. Lo, how my thought might make me free, Of that perchance that needeth not. Perchance no doubt the dread I see, I shrink at that I bear not. But in my heart this word shall sink, Until the proof may better be: I would it were not as I think, I would I thought it were not. If it be not, show no cause why I should so think, then care I not; For I shall so myself apply To be that I appear not: That is, as one that shall not shrink To be your own until I die. And if that be not as I think, Likewise to think it is not. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BABY'S SHOES by WILLIAM COX BENNETT ON A DEAD CHILD by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THE LION'S RIDE by FERDINAND FREILIGRATH THE STOLEN CHILD by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS FATHERHOOD by HENRY CHARLES BEECHING MEN OF VERDUN by LAURENCE BINYON ORNITHOPOLIS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |