Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAW OF LIBERTY, by ALICE CARY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This extent hath freedom's ground Last Line: I upon myself, advance. Subject(s): Freedom; Liberty | ||||||||
THIS extent hath freedom's ground, -- In my freedom I am bound Never any soul to wound. Not my own: it is not mine, Lord, except to make it thine, By good works through grace divine. Not another's: Thou alone Keepest judgment for thine own; Only unto Thee is known What to pity, what to blame; How the fierce temptation came: What is honor, what is shame. Right is bound in this -- to win Good till injury begin; That, and only that, is sin. Selfish good may not befall Any man, or great or small; Best for one is best for all. And who vainly doth desire Good through evil to acquire, In his bosom taketh fire. Wronging no man, Lord, nor Thee Vexing, I do pray to be In my soul, my body, free. Free to freely leave behind When the better things I find, Worser things, howe'er enshrined. So that pain may peace enhance, And through every change and chance, I upon myself, advance. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER A SPINSTER'S STINT by ALICE CARY |
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