Let me believe you, love, or let me die! If on your faith I may not rest secure, Beyond all chance of peradvenure sure, Trusting your half avowals sweet and shy, As trusts the lark the pallid, dawn-lit sky Then would I rather in some grave obscure Repose forlorn, than, living on, endure A question each dear transport to belie. It is a pain to...Learn More

As a wan weaver in an attic dim, Hopeless yet patient, so he may be fed With scanty store of sorrow-seasoned bread, Heareth a blithe bird carol over him, And sees no longer walls and rafters grim, But rural lanes where little feet are led Through springing flowers, fields with clover spread, Clouds, swan-like, that o'er depths of azure swim,— So...Learn More

I woke and heard the thrushes sing at dawn,— A strangely blissful burst of melody, A chant of rare, exultant certainty, Fragrant, as springtime breaths, of wood and lawn. Night's eastern curtains still were closely drawn; No roseate flush predicted pomps to be, Or spoke of morning loveliness to me, But, for those happy birds,—the night was...Learn More

Others endure Man's rule: he therefore deems I shall endure it—I the unconquered Air! Imagines this triumphant strength may bear His paltry sway! yea, ignorantly dreams, Because proud Rhea now his vassal seems, And Neptune him obeys in billowy lair, That he a more sublime assault may dare, Where blown by tempest wild the vulture...Learn More

Impregnable I held myself, secure Against intrusion. Who can measure Man? How should I guess his mortal will outran Defeat so far that danger could allure For its own sake?—that he would all endure, All sacrifice, all suffer, rather than Forego the daring dreams Olympian That prophesy to him of victory sure? Ah, tameless Courage!—dominating...Learn More