Whoso is faithful warden of desire, And o'er his bosom wields control complete, Hath deep within his soul a bower meet For shadowy ease and chaunt of woodland quire; Nay, 'tis a sacred region walled with fire, A sanctuary pure, a calm retreat Of healing thoughts and claustral silence sweet Whence all the ills o' the seeming world retire. But if he should his wild desires unpen Upon this precious plot and it despoil, The snake Remorse about his heart shall coil And this fair garth become a viperous den; For this is truth, if any truth's to tell, In man's own breast he bears his Heaven or Hell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BILL AND JOE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES ACCIDENT IN ART by RICHARD HOVEY THE DEATH OF LYON by HENRY PETERSON PROMISES LIKE A PIE-CRUST by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI IDYLLS OF THE KING: GERAINT AND ENID by ALFRED TENNYSON THE BALLAD OF THE FOXHUNTER by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |