Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That she, dear she, might take some pleasure of my pain, - Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain, - I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe; Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain, Oft turning others' leaves, see if thence would flow Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burned brain. But words came halting forth, wanting Invention's stay; Invention, Nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows; And others' feet still seemed but stangers in my way. Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite; "Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A CARRIER WHO DIED OF DRUNKENNESS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON LYING IN THE GRASS by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE MY LOST YOUTH by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE SIFTING OF PETER by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW REUBEN BRIGHT by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON CHARLES EDWARD AT VERSAILLES ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF CULLODEN by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN |