Driving to desire, adread also to dare, Between two stools my tail goeth to the ground. Dread and desire the reason doth confound, The tongue put to silence. The heart, in hope and fear, Doth dread that it dare and hide that would appear. Desirous and dreadful, at liberty I go bound. For pressing to proffer methinks I hear the sound: 'Back off thy boldness. Thy courage passeth care.' This dangerousd doubt, whether to obey My dread or my desire, so sore doth me trouble That cause causeth for dread of my decay. In thought all one; in deeds to show me double, Fearful and faithful! Yet take me as I am, Though double in deeds, a inward perfect man. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PICKET-GUARD [NOVEMBER, 1861] by ETHEL LYNN BEERS LOST LOVE by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES SING-SONG; A NURSERY RHYME BOOK: 92 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SHADOWS IN THE WATER by THOMAS TRAHERNE MINSTREL OF THE SUN by FREDERICK HENRY HERBERT ADLER FIRST CYCLE OF LOVE POEMS: 1 by GEORGE BARKER |