WILL you have me gold or steel, Love, whose crucible is here? Will you have me brave, or feel Fate's anguish, dear? Am I virtuous -- who knows? If I glitter in the fire Harder, whiter, as it glows At your desire? Or yet worthier if I quail As the dark dross melts again If I sometimes nearly fail For very pain? While the steel is growing white It grows harder, whiteness near: While the gold is growing bright It softens, dear. Say then, will you have forth cast, When the tale of fire is told, From your crucible at last Fine steel, or gold? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MARIPOSA LILY by INA DONNA COOLBRITH THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS [JANUARY 8, 1815] by THOMAS DUNN ENGLISH FELICIA HEMANS by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON ON SENESIS' MUMMY by LEONIE ADAMS WHERE YOUR FEET GO by JOSEPH AUSLANDER LINES ON THE DEATH OF PHILIP MEADOWS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |