WILL you have me gold or steel, Love, whose crucible is here? Will you have me brave, or feel Fate's anguish, dear? Am I virtuous -- who knows? If I glitter in the fire Harder, whiter, as it glows At your desire? Or yet worthier if I quail As the dark dross melts again If I sometimes nearly fail For very pain? While the steel is growing white It grows harder, whiteness near: While the gold is growing bright It softens, dear. Say then, will you have forth cast, When the tale of fire is told, From your crucible at last Fine steel, or gold? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET: ADDRESSED TO HAYDON (1) by JOHN KEATS PARTED FRIENDS by JAMES MONTGOMERY FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE EXILE by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA AH, BIND MY HANDS by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM by EDWIN ARNOLD TO MRS. PRIESTLEY, WITH SOME DRAWINGS OF BIRDS AND INSECTS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |