Maiden, that with sullen brow Sitt'st behind those virgins gay, Like a scorch'd and mildew'd bough, Leafless 'mid the blooms of May! Him who lur'd thee and forsook, Oft I watch'd with angry gaze, Fearful saw his pleading look, Anxious heard his fervid phrase. Soft the glances of the Youth, Soft his speech, and soft his sigh; But no sound like simple Truth, But no true love in his eye. Loathing thy polluted lot, Hie thee, Maiden, hie thee hence! Seek thy weeping Mother's cot, With a wiser innocence. Thou hast known deceit and folly, Thou hast felt that Vice is woe: With a musing melancholy Inly arm'd, go, Maiden! go. Mother sage of Self-dominion, Firm thy steps, O Melancholy! The strongest plume in Wisdom's pinion Is the memory of past folly. Mute the sky-lark and forlorn, While she moults the firstling plumes, That had skimm'd the tender corn, Or the beanfield's odorous blooms. Soon with renovated wing Shall she dare a loftier flight, Upward to the Day-Star spring, And embathe in heavenly light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CHANNEL PASSAGE by RUPERT BROOKE ROBINSON CRUSOE ['S STORY, OR ISLAND] by CHARLES EDWARD CARRYL SONG: TO CELIA by PHILOSTRATUS ADDRESS TO THE OCEAN by BRYAN WALLER PROCTER RECONCILIATION by WALT WHITMAN THE BIRDS: THE WEDDING CHANT by ARISTOPHANES FRAGMENT (2) by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE LAST MAN: INSIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORLD by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |