Page:The complete poems of Emily Bronte.djvu/88

34 XIV

PLEAD FOR ME

, thy bright eyes must answer now,

When Reason, with a scornful brow,

Is mocking at my overthrow!

Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for me

And tell why I have chosen thee!

Stern Reason is to judgement come,

Arrayed in all her forms of gloom:

Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb?

No, radiant angel, speak and say,

Why I did cast the world away.

Why I have persevered to shun

The common paths that others run;

And on a strange road journeyed on,

Heedless, alike of wealth and power—

Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower.

These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine;

And they, perchance, heard vows of mine,

And saw my offerings on their shrine;

But careless gifts are seldom prized,

And mine were worthily despised.