There 's some vile juggle with my reason here; I feel I but explain to my own loss These impulses: they live no less the same. Liberty! what though I despair? my blood Rose never at a slave's name proud as now. Oh sympathies, obscured by sophistries!-- Why else have I sought refuge in myself, But from the woes I saw and could not stay? Love! is not this to love thee, my Pauline? I cherish prejudice, lest I be left Utterly loveless? witness my belief In poets, though sad change has come there too; No more I leave myself to follow them-- Unconsciously I measure me by them-- Let me forget it: and I cherish most My love of England--how her name, a word Of hers in a strange tongue makes my heart beat! Pauline, could I but break the spell! Not now-- All's fever--but when calm shall come again, I am prepared: I have made life my own. I would not be content with all the change One frame should feel, but I have gone in thought Through all conjuncture, I have lived all life When it is most alive, where strangest fate New-shapes it past surmise--the throes of men Bit by some curse or in the grasps of doom Half-visible and still-increasing round, Or crowning their wide being's general aim. These are wild fancies, but I feel, sweet friend, As one breathing his weakness to the ear Of pitying angel--dear as a winter flower, A slight flower growing alone, and offering Its frail cup of three leaves to the cold sun, Yet joyous and confiding like the triumph Of a child: and why am I not worthy thee? I can live all the life of plants, and gaze Drowsily on the bees that flit and play, Or bare my breast for sunbeams which will kill, Or open in the night of sounds, to look For the dim stars; I can mount with the bird Leaping airily his pyramid of leaves And twisted boughs of some tall mountain tree, Or rise cheerfully springing to the heavens; Or like a fish breathe deep the morning air In the misty sun-warm water; or with flower And tree can smile in light at the sinking sun Just as the storm comes, as a girl would look On a departing lover--most serene. Pauline, come with me, see how I could build A home for us, out of the world, in thought! I am uplifted: fly with me, Pauline!