I WILL not speak. For ever from old days Another voice assails him; shall mine come To break that perfect music? Make me dumb, God, who art merciful! and of thy grace Keep my lips silent. I have heard him praise Her speech, as sweet as late bird singing home, And soft as on far shore breaks the pale foam, Tender as twilight's peace on woodland ways. I serve his pleasure, wait with ears attent; Indeed, it well befits me to be meek: His joy is passed, his fortune has been spent, And I -- he found me when he turned to seek, In place of bliss, some pale and dull content -- I will be faithful, but I will not speak. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IMITATION OF POPE: A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES by WILLIAM BLAKE THE LOST MISTRESS by ROBERT BROWNING THE WAY TO ARCADY by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER THE SONG OF HIAWATHA: HIAWATHA'S FASTING by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW ON A MOURNER by ALFRED TENNYSON YARROW REVISITED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH TO THE SHAH (1) by AWHAD AD-DIN 'ALI IBN VAHID MUHAMMAD KHAVARANI |