Life, deliver up to me All fate has decreed to be! Who am I that I should choose What to take and what refuse? Some things I have ordered madly Have been paid for rather sadly; These were passed by readiest hands (As are most things contraband.) Now they're settled -- in full paid Though their ghost is never laid. Life, deliver up to me All fate has decreed to be! I would feel the pith of things, Not be bound by silken strings. Teach me to bear and forbear With heart to do and will to dare, To accept heart's ease or rue As what is right and so my due. Though you are most recondite I, a starveling, know you're right! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FATHER LAND AND MOTHER TONGUE by SAMUEL LOVER ON THE DEATH OF LITTLE MAHALA ASHCRAFT by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE SORROW OF LOVE (2) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS SONNET: THE RARITY OF GENIUS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH LATE AUTUMN by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE CONCLUSION OF A LETTER TO THE REV. MR. C --. by MARY BARBER SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 16. VENUS INCARNATE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |