TIS time, I feel, to leave thee now, While yet my soul is something free; While yet those dangerous eyes allow One moment's thought to stray from thee! Oh! thou art every instant dearer -- Every chance that brings me nigh thee, Brings my ruin nearer, nearer, I am lost, unless I fly thee! Nay, if thou dost not scorn and hate me, Wish me not so soon to fall, Duties, fame, and hopes await me, Oh! that eye would blast them all! Yes, yes, it would -- for thou'rt as cold As ever yet allured or sway'd, And wouldst, without a sigh, behold The ruin which thyself had made! Yet -- @3could@1 I think that, truly fond, That eye but once would smile on me, Good Heaven! how much, how far beyond Fame, duty, hope, that smile would be! Oh! but to win it, night and day, Inglorious at thy feet reclined, I'd sigh my dreams of fame away, The world for thee forgot, resign'd! But no, no, no -- farewell -- we part, Never to meet, no, never, never -- O woman! what a mind and heart Thy coldness has undone for ever! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO WHISTLER, AMERICAN; ON LOAN EXHIBIT OF PAINTINGS AT TATE GALLERY by EZRA POUND THE CANONIZATION by JOHN DONNE PROVINCIA DESERTA by EZRA POUND UNREALITY by MERCEDES DE ACOSTA UNDERNEATH THE BOUGH by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |