I To write your name upon the glass, Is that the greatest you'll impart Of your commands? when, Dear, alas! 'Twas long since graven in my heart? But you foresee my heart must break, and sure Think 't in that brittle quarry more secure. II My breast impregnable is found, Which nothing, but thy beauty, wracks, Than this frail metal far more sound, That every storm and tempest cracks. And, if you add faith to my vows and tears, More firm, and more transparent it appears. III Yet, I obey you, when, behold! I tremble at the forced fact, My hand too saucy and too bold, Timorously shivers at the act; And 'twixt the wounded glass, and th' harder stone, I hear a murmuring emulation. IV 'Tis done; to which let all hearts bow, And to the Tablet sacrifice; Incense of loyal sighs allow, And tears from wonder stricken eyes; Which, should the Schismatics of Sion see, Perchance they'd break it for idolatry. V But, cursed be that awkward hand Dares raze the glory from this frame, That, notwithstanding thy command, Tears from this glass thy ador'd name; Whoe'er he be, unless he do repent, He's damn'd for breaking thy Commandement. VI Yet, what thy dear will here has plac'd, Such is its unassured state, Must once, my Sweetest, be defac'd Or by the stroke of Time, or Fate; It must at last, howe'er, dissolve, and die, With all the World, and so must thou, and I. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICAN NAMES by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE [JUNE 1, 1813] by THOMAS TRACY BOUVE FOR G. by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW by ROBERT HERRICK BEFORE ACTION by WILLIAM NOEL HODGSON SONNET by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS IMMORTALITY [OR, VERSE] by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR IMAGES: 3 by RICHARD ALDINGTON THE ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH: BOOK 2. THE GASTRIC MUSE by JOHN ARMSTRONG |