MARY, since first I knew thee, to this hour, My love hath deepened, with my wiser sense Of what in Woman is to reverence; Thy clear heart, fresh as e'er was forest-flower, Still opens more to me its beauteous dower; -- But let praise hush, -- Love asks no evidence To prove itself well-placed; we know not whence It gleans the straws that thatch its humble bower: We can but say we found it in the heart, Spring of all sweetest thoughts, arch foe of blame, Sower of flowers in the dusty mart, Pure vestal of the poet's holy flame, -- This is enough, and we have done our part If we but keep it spotless as it came. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE FAIR CLARINDA, WHO MADE LOVE TO ME by APHRA BEHN THE EARLY MORNING by HILAIRE BELLOC DESPAIR AND FEAR by EMILY DICKINSON GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES THE SMACK IN SCHOOL by WILLIAM PITT PALMER SING-SONG; A NURSERY RHYME BOOK: 91 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE QUEEN FORGETS by GEORGE STERLING IN ANSWER TO QUESTION FROM GREEK GRAMMAR: WHAT FUTURES SPEAK by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |