TOO long I wear this mask that I have made, -- Rather, this woof of silken words, where each Half shows me, half conceals: too long I teach Truth to walk delicately in rich brocade, And hide my heart, with cloth-of-gold arrayed. I loved and love you -- here is simple speech; I loved and love you, who are out of reach; There, take my secret stripped of lace and braid. But what avails it? You give ear to those Who buzz and flutter betwixt you and the sun; And I am too disdainful of my foes To answer them. Their web is poorly spun, And easily I could shatter it if I chose. But I am proud as you, Magnificent One! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1) by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON THE WHITE ISLAND, OR PLACE OF THE BLEST by ROBERT HERRICK SONNETS TO LAURA IN LIFE: 109 by PETRARCH LEE TO THE REAR [MAY 12, 1864] by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON DECEMBER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A BALLADE OF EVOLUTION by GRANT ALLEN EPIGRAM by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS DESCRIBES THE PLACE WHERE CYNTHIA IS SPORTING HERSELF by PHILIP AYRES |