Me let the world disparage and despise -- The world, that hugs its soul-corroding chains, The world, that spends for such ignoble gains. Let foe or bigot wrap my name in lies; Let Justice, blind and maimed and halt, chastise The rebel-spirit surging in my veins; Let the Law deal me penalties and pains; Let me be outcast in my neighbours' eyes. But let me fall not in my own esteem, By poor deceit or petty greed debased; Let me be clean from undetected shame; Know myself true, though heretic I seem; Know myself faithful, howsoe'er disgraced; Upright and strong, for all the load of blame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOMEN MEN'S SHADOWS by BEN JONSON HUGH SELWYN MAUBERLEY: 6. YEUX GLAUQUES by EZRA POUND A SOLILOQUY ON READING THE 5TH AND 8TH VERSES OF THE 37TH PSALM by JOHN BYROM PITCHING HAY IN VERMONT by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY |