FORGIVE me the sin of mine eyes, O Love, if they dared for a space Invade the dear shrine of your face With eager, insistent delight, Like wild birds intrepid of flight That raid the high sanctuaried skies— O pardon the sin of mine eyes! Forgive me the sin of my hands. ... Perchance they were bold overmuch In their tremulous longing to touch Your beautiful flesh, to caress, To clasp you, O Love, and to bless With gifts as uncounted as sands ... O pardon the sin of my hands! Forgive me the sin of my mouth, O Love, if it wrought you a wrong, With importunate silence or song Assailed you, encircled, oppress'd, And ravished your lips and your breast To comfort its anguish of drouth O pardon the sin of my mouth! Forgive me the sin of my heart, If it trespassed against you and strove To lure or to conquer your love Its passionate love to appease, To solace its hunger and ease The wound of its sorrow or smart O pardon the sin of my heart! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT A VACATION EXERCISE IN THE COLLEGE by JOHN MILTON JOHN PELHAM by JAMES RYDER RANDALL BETH GELERT; OR, THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND by WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCER LILIES: 7. BEHIND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |