Now thou hast seen my heart. Was it too near? Didst thou recoil from the o'erpowering sight; That vision of a scarred and seamed soul? Ah! yes: thy gentle eyes were filled with fear When looks and thoughts broke out from my control, Bursting themselves a road with fiercest might -- Wide-opening secret cells of foulest sin, And all that lurks in that dark place within! Well, be it so, dear friend! it was but right That thou shouldst learn where blossoms yet may bless, And where for ever now there must be blight. Riven with burning passion's torrent course, Shattered and splintered all with sin's mad force -- Thou saw'st my heart: and didst not love me less. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN HORATIAN ODE UPON CROMWELL'S RETURN FROM IRELAND by ANDREW MARVELL PROVINCIA DESERTA by EZRA POUND AT LAST by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER SEADRIFT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A PRAYER FOR LOVE by ELSA BARKER SOUTH STATE STREET, CHICAGO by MAXWELL BODENHEIM |