SOUL, who would'st prove and know thyself for strong, Soul, who hast not a tyrant sin beside, Masked at thine elbow struts the flatterer -- Pride, Whose whisper has befooled thine heart for long. Lash thee at thine own shrine with shameful thong? Soft-handed Nemesis between shall glide, To balk the smart thou seekest to abide, -- Daring at self's behest that holiest wrong. Lo! thy good sword that seldom smites in vain One day shall fail thy pride lest thou be lost; -- Slip in thine hold, and slay thine idol, Pain, Win for thee treasure who would pay but cost; Sweet punishment be pride's reward at length, And thy best weakness save thee; not thy strength. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WISHES TO HIS SUPPOSED MISTRESS by RICHARD CRASHAW THE SETTLER: AMERICA IN THE MAKING by ALFRED BILLINGS STREET ON A YOUNG BRIDE DROWNED IN THE BOSPHORUS by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS GYPSY-HEART by KATHARINE LEE BATES IN A VISION OF THE NIGHT by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |