THE PROTEST
I COULD not bear to see those eyes
On all with wasteful largess shine,
And that delight of welcome rise
Like sunshine strained through amber wine,
But that a glow from deeper skies,
From conscious fountains more divine,
Is (is it?) mine.
Be beautiful to all mankind,
As Nature fashioned thee to be;
’Twould anger me did all not find
The sweet perfection that’s in thee;
Yet keep one charm of charms behind,—
Nay, thou ’rt so rich, keep two of three
For (is it?) me!
James Russell Lowell.