What! Compromise with life? Not I Though bound about by endless chains, And gone astray through devious lanes Whose walls I must not, dare not, try; Though Fate has thrust my life awry, Crushed my ideals, ignored my woes, Increased my burdens when I rose -- My tears wept to an uncaring sky -- Yet, compromise? Give up? Say die? Lose faith, surrender all that's good, Cast ideals down? Let weakness sway? Let Truth depart, and Hate have way? My strong heart could not if it would -- Life, do your worst! I'll still defy! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FARMER'S BRIDE by CHARLOTTE MEW AFTERNOON ON A HILL by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY EBB by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 74. ST. LUKE THE PAINTER (OLD & NEW ART) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI A SNOWFLAKE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |