HOW charming! to be thus confin'd Within this lovely tow'r; Where, with a calm and quiet mind, I pass the peaceful hour: Stronger than chains of any kind Is love's enduring pow'r. These very ills are my delight: My pleasures rise from pains; The punishments, that most affright, Become my wish'd-for gains: Whatever torments they excite, Pure-sighing love remains. Pain is no object of my fear, Tho' help is not in view; Sure as I am, from evils here, That blessings will ensue: To sov'reign beauty it is clear, That sov'reign love is due. I suffer; but along with smart Is grace and virtue sent: Presence of GOD, who takes my part, So sweetens all event! He is the Patience of my heart, The Comfort, and Content. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 14 by PHILIP SIDNEY ON THE GRASSHOPPER by ANACREON THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES THE CITY OF DESPAIR by MAXWELL STRUTHERS BURT A MEMORIAL ABSTRACT OF A SERMON PREACHED ON PROVERBS, XX, 27 by JOHN BYROM ODE TO MISS HOYLAND: MISS HOYLAND IS COY by THOMAS CHATTERTON |