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Walter Scott - The Resolve
Work rating: Low

In Imitation of An Old English Poem

My wayward fate I needs must plain,
Though bootless be the theme;
I loved, and was beloved again,
Yet all was but a dream:
For, a her love was quickly got,
So it was quickly gone;
No more I`ll bask in flame so hot,
But coldly dwell alone.

Not maid more bright than maid was e`er
My fancy shall beguile,
By flattering word, or feigned tear,
By gesture, look, or smile:
No more I`ll call the shaft fair shot,
Till it has fairly flown,
Nor scorch me at a flame so hot;—
I`ll rather freeze alone.

Each ambush`d Cupid I`ll defy,
In cheek, or chin, or brow,
And deem the glance of woman`s eye
As weak as woman`s vow:
I`ll lightly hold the lady`s heart,
That is but lightly won;
I`ll steel my breast to beauty`s art,
And learn to live alone.

The flaunting torch soon blazes out,
The diamond`s ray abides;
The flame its glory hurls about,
The gem its lustre hides;
Such gem I fondly deem`d was mine,
And glow`d a diamond stone,
But, since each eye may see it shine,
I`ll darkling dwell alone.

No waking dream shall tinge my thought
With dyes so bright and vain.
No silken net, so slightly wrought,
Shall tangle me again:
No more I`ll pay so dear for wit,
I`ll live upon mine own,
Nor shall wild passion trouble it,—
I`ll rather dwell alone.

And thus I`ll hush my heart to rest,—
"Thy loving labour`s lost;
Thou shalt no more be wildly blest,
To be so strangely crost;
The widow`d turtles mateless die,
The phoenix is but one;
They seek no loves —no more will I—
I`ll rather dwell alone."
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