LIBERTY REJECTED

About this heart thou hast

Thy chains made fast,

And think'st thou I would be

Therefrom set free,

And forth unbound be cast?

The ocean would as soon

Entreat the moon

Unsay the magic verse

That seals him hers

From silver noon to noon.

She stooped her pearly head

Seaward, and said:

“Would'st thou I gave to thee

Thy liberty,

In Time's youth forfeited?”

And from his inmost hold

The answer rolled:

“Thy bondman to remain

Is sweeter pain,

Dearer an hundredfold.”