Oh, thy bright eyes must answer now, br When Reason, with a scornful brow, br Is mocking at my overthrow! br Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for me br And tell, why I have chosen thee! br br Stern Reason is to judgment come, br Arrayed in all her forms of gloom: br Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb? br No, radiant angel, speak and say, br Why I did cast the world away. br br Why I have persevered to shun br The common paths that others run, br And on a strange road journeyed on, br Heedless, alike, of wealth and power - br Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower. br br These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine; br And they, perchance, heard vows of mine, br And saw my offerings on their shrine; br But, careless gifts are seldom prized, br And mine were worthily despised. br br So, with a ready heart I swore br To seek their altar-stone no more; br And gave my spirit to adore br Thee, ever - present, phantom thing; br My slave, my comrade, and my king, br br A slave, because I rule thee still; br Incline thee to my changeful will, br And make thy influence good or ill: br A comrade, for by day and night br Thou art my intimate delight, - br br My darling pain that wounds and sears br And wrings a blessing out from tears br By deadening me to earthly cares; br And yet, a king, though Prudence well br Have taught thy subject to rebel.