Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Fanny Greville. 18th Cent.475. Prayer for Indifference
I ASK no kind return of love, | |
No tempting charm to please; | |
Far from the heart those gifts remove, | |
That sighs for peace and ease. | |
Nor peace nor ease the heart can know, | 5 |
That, like the needle true, | |
Turns at the touch of joy or woe, | |
But turning, trembles too. | |
Far as distress the soul can wound, | |
‘Tis pain in each degree: | 10 |
‘Tis bliss but to a certain bound, | |
Beyond is agony. |