There was a time when my cheek burned āàTo give such scornful words the lie, Ungoverned nature madly spurned āàThe law that bade it not defy. Oh, in the days of ardent youth I would have given my life for truth. For truth, for right, for liberty, āàI would have gladly, freely died; And now I calmly bear and see āàThe vain man smile, the fool deride, Though not because my heart is tame, Though not for fear, though not for shame. My soul still chokes at every tone āàOf selfish and self-clouded error; My breast still braves the world alone, āàSteeled as it ever was to terror. Only I know, howe'er I frown, The same world will go rolling on. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FAERY FOREST by SARA TEASDALE ON A PROPOSED TRIP SOUTH by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS WOMEN AND ROSES by ROBERT BROWNING THE COLORED SOLDIERS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR IN HOSPITAL: 21. ROMANCE by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY A FISH STORY by HENRY AUGUSTIN BEERS SOUNDS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |