Not at first sight, nor with a dribbed shot, Love gave the wound which while I breathe will bleed: But known worth did in mine of time proceed, Till by degrees it had full conquest got. I saw, and liked; I liked, but loved not; I loved, but straight did not what love decreed: At length to love's decrees I, forced, agreed, Yet with repining at so partial lot. Now even that footstep of lost liberty Is gone, and now like slave-born Muscovite I call it praise to suffer tyranny; And now employ the remnant of my wit To make myself believe that all is well, While with a feeling skill I paint my hell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CENTENARIAN'S STORY by WALT WHITMAN A SONNET. OF LOVE by PHILIP AYRES PSALM 104, SELECTION by RICHARD BLACKMORE THE UNQUIET EYE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN ON MY DEAR GRANDCHILD SIMON WHO DIED ... ONE MONTH AND ONE DAY OLD by ANNE BRADSTREET |