And yet I cannot reprehend the flight, Or blame th' attempt presuming so to soar; The mounting venture for a high delight Did make the honor of the fall the more. For who gets wealth that puts not from the shore? Danger hath honor, great designs their fame; Glory doth follow, courage goes before; And though th' event oft answers not the same, Suffice that high attempts have never shame. The mean-observer, whom base safety keeps, Lives without honor, dies without a name, And in eternal darkness ever sleeps. And therefore, Delia, 'tis to me no blot To have attempted though attained thee not. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CUPID AND CAMPASPE, FR. ALEXANDER AND CAMPASPE by JOHN LYLY DEAD LOVE by MARY MATHEWS ADAMS ISN'T IT TRUE! by BERNICE GIBBS ANDERSON MY ANGUISH by INNOKENTI FYODOROVICH ANNENSKY A HYMN OF FORM by GORDON BOTTOMLEY THE ACID TEST by BERTON BRALEY REMARKS ON DR. AKENSIDE'S AND MR. WHITEHEAD'S VERSES by JOHN BYROM |