"MAN," said the chief of sophists, "is born free, And he is everywhere in chains." -- Ah well, There are beneficent bonds, and, truth to tell, There is uncovetable liberty. And you too wear the shackles men decree For them of proudest station, and yet dwell Untrammelled, mistress of the citadel Of your own mind, @3yourself@1 unchangeably. And I, that oftentimes have gone astray Ev'n from myself and wisest self-control, Feel, when I see your outward beauty's ray Shine cloudless, that all inward beauty too, All sweetness of the heart and mind and soul, Lady! is gathered up and sheaved in you. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EMMELINE GRANGERFORD'S 'ODE TO STEPHEN DOLWING BOTS, DEC'D' by SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS SONNET TO A FRIEND WHO ASKED, HOW I FELT ... MY INFANT TO ME by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT DYING OF A COUGH by JOHN MILTON MARY MAGDALEN by BARTOLOME LEONARDO DE ARGENSOLA PARODY OF A SHROPSHIRE LAD by HENRY MAXIMILIAN BEERBOHM GREEN AISLES by WILLIAM ROSE BENET LETTER TO JOHN GOUDIE, KILMARNOCK by ROBERT BURNS |