Not at first sight, nor with a dribbed shot, Love gave the wound which while I breathe will bleed: But known worth did in mine of time proceed, Till by degrees it had full conquest got. I saw, and liked; I liked, but loved not; I loved, but straight did not what love decreed: At length to love's decrees I, forced, agreed, Yet with repining at so partial lot. Now even that footstep of lost liberty Is gone, and now like slave-born Muscovite I call it praise to suffer tyranny; And now employ the remnant of my wit To make myself believe that all is well, While with a feeling skill I paint my hell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A COMPARISON by WILLIAM COWPER BY THE ALMA RIVER by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 9 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN SPECIMEN OF AN INDUCTION TO A POEM by JOHN KEATS THE AUTHOR'S EPITAPH, MADE BY HIMSELF by WALTER RALEIGH THE CARPENTER by AMY BRUNER ALMY IN WILTSHIRE; SUGGESTED BY POINTS OF SIMILARITY WITH THE SOMME COUNTRY by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |