28
Then tempered to thy want, or will,
'Twill serve thee to defend or kill;
A breast-plate for thine hour of need,
Or blade to bid thy foeman bleed;
But if a dagger's form it bear,
Let those, who shape it's edge, beware!
Thus passion's fire, and woman's art,
Can turn and tame the sterner heart;
From these it's form and tone is ta'en,
And what they make it, must remain,
But break—before it bend again.
********
********
'Twill serve thee to defend or kill;
A breast-plate for thine hour of need,
Or blade to bid thy foeman bleed;
But if a dagger's form it bear,
Let those, who shape it's edge, beware!
Thus passion's fire, and woman's art,
Can turn and tame the sterner heart;
From these it's form and tone is ta'en,
And what they make it, must remain,
But break—before it bend again.
********
********
If solitude succeed to grief,
Release from pain is slight relief;
The vacant bosom's wilderness
Might thank the pang that made it less.
We loathe what none are left to share—
Even bliss—'twere woe alone to bear;
The heart once left thus desolate,
Must fly at last for ease—to hate.
Release from pain is slight relief;
The vacant bosom's wilderness
Might thank the pang that made it less.
We loathe what none are left to share—
Even bliss—'twere woe alone to bear;
The heart once left thus desolate,
Must fly at last for ease—to hate.
