As to the Roman that would free his land, His error was his honor and renown, And more the fame of his mistaking hand Than if he had the tyrant overthrown. So, Delia, hath mine error made me known, And my deceived attempt deserved more fame Than if I had the victory mine own, And thy hard heart had yielded up the same. And so, likewise, renowned is thy blame, Thy cruelty, thy glory. Oh, strange case, That errors should be graced that merit shame, And sin of frowns bring honor to the face! Yet, happy Delia, that thou wast unkind; But happier yet, if thou wouldst change thy mind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DIM DOORWAY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE PASSING OF THE EX-SLAVE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO -, WITH A ROSE by SIDNEY LANIER UNWANTED MEMORY by CLARENCE MAJOR CELSUS AT HADRIAN'S VILLA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS READY TO KILL by CARL SANDBURG ESSAY: AT NIGHT THE AUTOPORTRAIT AT NIGHT by ELENI SIKELIANOS |