Not by me these feet were led To the path beside the wave, Where the naiad lilies shed Moonfire o'er a lonely grave. Let the dragons of the past In their caverns sleeping lie. I am dream-betrayed, and cast Into that old agony. And an anguish of desire Burns as in the sunken years, And the soul sheds drops of fire All unquenchable by tears. I, who sought on high for calm , In the Everliving find All I was in what I am, Fierce with gentle intertwined; Hearts which I had crucified With my heart that tortured them; Penitence, unfallen pride - These mythorny diadem! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE AND DEATH by SARA TEASDALE SOLILOQUY OF THE SPANISH CLOISTER by ROBERT BROWNING EMERSON by MARY ELIZABETH MAPES DODGE DURING WIND AND RAIN by THOMAS HARDY CITIZEN OF THE WORLD by ALFRED JOYCE KILMER HORATIAN ECHO by MATTHEW ARNOLD EXTEMPORE ON BEING SHOWN SHOE BUCKLES WORN BY DAVID GARRICK by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |