NOT Hercules himself did undertake Such toilsome labours for his mistress' sake: As I for many years with endless pain, The slave of Love, Love's fatigues sustain. Tho' he slew Hydra; from th' Infernal King, Did the three-headed yelping porter bring; Tyrants destroy'd; Nemaean lion tare, And Atlas' burden on his shoulders bare. To stand the scorns of an imperious brow; Resist such hate as would no truce allow; A stubborn heart by patient suff'ring, tame; And with weak rhythms, exalt her glorious name; Are acts shall more the world with wonder fill, Than his who did so many monsters kill; Conquer a crafty bull; disturb Hell's Court; Th' Hesperian garden rob, and Heav'n support. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FOREFATHER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON ONCE BEFORE by MARY ELIZABETH MAPES DODGE YOUTH AND CUPID by ELIZABETH I FAITHLESS NELLY GRAY; A PATHETIC BALLAD by THOMAS HOOD SONNET: 31 by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE LAST GOODBYE by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON CHRISTMAS AT SEA by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON |