[Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde His Life and Selected Poems |
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[It was a just reproof! ... and yet I thought] |
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 | [Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde |  |
[It was a just reproof! ... and yet I thought]
It was a just reproof! ... and yet I thought
But no! ... Shall I deserve reproach again?
No by the Gods! ... My nature overwrought
Has yet enough of Pride to hide its pain!
But no! ... Shall I deserve reproach again?
No by the Gods! ... My nature overwrought
Has yet enough of Pride to hide its pain!
I have borne much in silence once—and now
Shall I at last play woman with my tongue?
No! ... I will shew so smooth, so calm a brow
That none shall dream how sore my heart is wrung.
Shall I at last play woman with my tongue?
No! ... I will shew so smooth, so calm a brow
That none shall dream how sore my heart is wrung.
Even thou thyself shalt deem my feigning true—
A smile—a hollow laugh—a bitter jest
Would but betray me to the vulgar view,
Thy garb Indifference! becomes me best!
A smile—a hollow laugh—a bitter jest
Would but betray me to the vulgar view,
Thy garb Indifference! becomes me best!
Gay with the gay, and solemn with the wise
Dull with the plodding—sportive with the fair—
Thou shalt distrust my love or doubt thine eyes
To mark how perfectly my mask I wear!
Dull with the plodding—sportive with the fair—
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To mark how perfectly my mask I wear!
The hand that would not perish in the flame
If the heart bade it, is unworthy thine—
The mind that shrinks from any pang but shame
Would well deserve thy utmost scorn and mine.
If the heart bade it, is unworthy thine—
The mind that shrinks from any pang but shame
Would well deserve thy utmost scorn and mine.
There is no sterner task of soul to teach!—
No matter!—It is taught—The silent spell
Closes upon my murmurs—look—act—speech
Shall all obey thee!—Well—perhaps too well!
No matter!—It is taught—The silent spell
Closes upon my murmurs—look—act—speech
Shall all obey thee!—Well—perhaps too well!
| [Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde | |