STANZA, WRITTEN AT BRACKNELL.

By Percy Bysshe Shelley

Thy dewy looks sink in my breast;

Thy gentle words stir poison there;

Thou hast disturbed the only rest

That was the portion of despair!

Subdued to Duty's hard control,

I could have borne my wayward lot:

The chains that bind this ruined soul

Had cankered then — but crushed it not.