Sister, accept these lays; as yet I ween No lay but mine has open'd with thy name; I would I were a bard of mightier fame, Then would this tribute of more price have been, And thou had'st worn a costlier pledge, in sign Of my deep love! My name is all unknown, And, daring not to venture forth alone, It fondly seeks companionship of thine; And thou dost love me more than to believe Thy brother's song can furnish shame to thee; Critics! be your dispraise from harshness free, And scornful gibe, nor give her cause to grieve, For, if ye sternly say I cannot sing, My Sister's name is on a shamed thing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MEANING OF THE LOOK by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ODE TO TRANQUILLITY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE RAIN-SONGS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THREE FRIENDS OF MINE: 5; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE WINGLESS VICTORY by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 49. THE ENGLISH RACE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |