I O PERMIT that my sadness May redeem my offence! Let not words, spoke in madness, Prejudice innocence! II 'Twas i' th' heighth of my passion, 'Las! I rav'd all the time: Not thy wrath, but compassion, I deserv'd by my crime. III Jealous fears, with their thickness, Had o'erclouded my brain: What I spoke in my sickness Ne'er remember again. IV Frantic men may talk treason, From all guilt they are free: Laws for such as want reason, No chastisement decree. V Sure no tyrant did ever Call that tongue to account, Which, in time of a fever, Tales of plots did recount. VI Then since none can be heard on That e'er punished such faults, O refuse not my pardon To my past words, or thoughts! VII Lo! as soon as I'm cured, I repent, I recant: Make me, too, once assured That my grace has thy grant. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOLDIER: TWENTIETH CENTURY by ISAAC ROSENBERG KEARNY AT SEVEN PINES [MAY 31, 1862] by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN LUCY (2) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH MASKS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THREE PASTORAL ELEGIES: TO THE READER (2) by WILLIAM BASSE |