This to the crown and blessing of my life, The much loved husband of a happy wife; To him whose constant passion found the art To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart, And to the world by tenderest proof discovers They err, who say that husbands can't be lovers. With such return of passion as is due, Daphnis I love, Daphnis my thoughts pursue; Daphnis my hopes and joys are bounded all in you. Even I, for Daphnis' and my promise' sake, What I in women censure, undertake. But this from love, not vanity, proceeds; You know who writes, and I who 'tis that reads. Judge not my passion by my want of skill: Many love well, though they express it ill; And I your censure could with pleasure bear, Would you but soon return, and speak it here. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOD'S WAY by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR A VOICE PROPHETIC by WALT WHITMAN MEARY'S SMILE by WILLIAM BARNES INVITATION by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS CHANCES OF REMEMBRANCE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN ON THE BEACH; LINES BY A PRIVATE TUTOR by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY |