I would not lord it o'er thy heart, Alas! I cannot rule my own, Nor would I rob one loyal thought, From him who there should reign alone; We both have found a life-long love; Wherein our weary souls may rest, Yet may we not, my gentle friend Be each to each the @3second best?@1 A love which shall be passion-free, Fondness as pure as it is sweet, A bond where all the dearest ties Of brother, friend and @3cousin@1 meet, -- Such is the union I would frame, That thus we might be doubly blest, With Love to rule our hearts supreme And Friendship to be @3second best@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WIND AT THE DOOR by WILLIAM BARNES THE WILD RIDE by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY TO A CHILD DURING SICKNESS by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT THE SECRET OF THE SEA by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW TO LADY ANNE HAMILTON by WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCER OF A FAIR LADY PLAYING WITH A SNAKE by EDMUND WALLER |