William Watson

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."