Matron was she of a great Roman house, And wed in youth to one she might not love; Her birth, her fortune, her name luminous, Such as all noblest virtues most behove. How dare she trifle with ignoble things, Or yield her fair fame to a stranger's care, Or let her passionate desire take wings, Or be of those unchastely debonnaire? Yet with him she was well, and far from him A bird shaft-stricken which no more may fly. She deemed his smile as of the seraphim, And in his frown she was one like to die. For his dear sake 'twixt niggard hopes and fears She lived in death for two long weary years. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE ON THE POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by SAMUEL ROGERS WHERE LIES THE LAND by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH A FINE DAY ON LOUGH SWILLY by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1824-1911) THE BALLAD OF BAZILE BORGNE by IDA COLE BARTLATT MAY CELEBRANTS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |