Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

Oh, 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 judgment 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.

     So, with a ready heart, I swore
     To seek their altar-stone no more;
     And gave my spirit to adore
     Thee, ever-present, phantom thing—
     My slave, my comrade, and my king.

     A slave, because I rule thee still;
     Incline thee to my changeful will,
     And make thy influence good or ill:
     A comrade, for by day and night
     Thou art my intimate delight,—

     My darling pain that wounds and sears,
     And wrings a blessing out from tears
     By deadening me to earthly cares;
     And yet, a king, though Prudence well
     Have taught thy subject to rebel

     And am I wrong to worship where
     Faith cannot doubt, nor hope despair,
     Since my own soul can grant my prayer?
     Speak, God of visions, plead for me,
     And tell why I have chosen thee!