An elegy? No, muse, it asks a strain Too loose, and cap'ring, for thy stricter vein. Thy thoughts did never melt in amorous fire Like glass, blown up, and fashioned by desire. The skilful mischief of a roving eye Could ne'er make price of thy white chastity. Then, leave these lighter numbers, to light brains, In whom the flame of every beauty reigns, Such, as in lust's wild forest love to range, Only pursuing constancy, in change. Let these in wanton feet dance out their souls: A further fury my raised spirit controls, Which raps me up to the true heaven of love; And conjures all my faculties to approve The glories of it. Now our muse takes wing, And now an epode, to deep ears, we sing. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INVOCATION by LOUIS UNTERMEYER ONE WAY OF LOVE by ROBERT BROWNING NICHOLAS NYE by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE THE STRANGER'S ALMS by HENRY ABBEY IN REMEMBRANCE by ADRA CAROLINE BATCHELDER SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 11 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A DAY-DREAM by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT |