IN hearts like thine ne'er may I hold a place Till I renounce all sense, all shame, all grace -- That seat, -- like seats, the bane of Freedom's realm, But dear to those presiding at the helm -- Is basely purchased, not with gold alone; Add Conscience, too, this bargain is your own -- 'T is thine to offer with corrupting art The rotten borough of the human heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TENNESSEE CLAFLIN SHOPE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CHILDE ROLAND TO THE DARK TOWER CAME' by ROBERT BROWNING SONNET TO A CLAM by JOHN GODFREY SAXE LET ALL THE EARTH KEEP SILENCE by LUCY A. K. ADEE THE EUMENIDES: THE FURIES' PRAYER by AESCHYLUS |