Returning from its daily quest, my spirit Changed thoughts and vile in thee doth weep to find. It grieves me that that thy mild and gentle mind Those ample virtues which it did inherit Has lost. Once thou didst loathe the multitude Of blind and madding men; I then loved thee - I loved thy lofty songs and that sweet mood When thou wert faithful to thyself and me. I dare not now through thy degraded state Own the delight thy strains inspire - in vain I seek what once thou wert - we cannot meet As we were wont. Again, and yet again, Ponder my words: so the false Spirit shall fly And leave to thee thy true integrity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON BRER RABBIT, YOU'S DE CUTES' OF 'EM ALL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DISCOURAGING by DANIEL CHAUNCEY BREWER TO A LADY IN ILLNESS by SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES ON BEING SHEWN A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SEAT by ROBERT BURNS |