"MAN," said the chief of sophists, "is born free, And he is everywhere in chains." -- Ah well, There are beneficent bonds, and, truth to tell, There is uncovetable liberty. And you too wear the shackles men decree For them of proudest station, and yet dwell Untrammelled, mistress of the citadel Of your own mind, @3yourself@1 unchangeably. And I, that oftentimes have gone astray Ev'n from myself and wisest self-control, Feel, when I see your outward beauty's ray Shine cloudless, that all inward beauty too, All sweetness of the heart and mind and soul, Lady! is gathered up and sheaved in you. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TOMMY'S DEAD by SYDNEY THOMPSON DOBELL THE AGED STRANGER; AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR by FRANCIS BRET HARTE RORY O'MORE; OR, ALL FOR GOOD LUCK by SAMUEL LOVER IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 43 by ALFRED TENNYSON ON IMAGINATION by PHILLIS WHEATLEY LANDSCAPE by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |