I must be flattered. The imperious
Desire speaks out. Lady, I am content
To play with you the game of Sentiment,
And with you enter on paths perilous;
But if across your beauty I throw light,
To make it threefold, it must be all mine.
First secret; then avowed. For I must shine
Envied,–I, lessened in my proper sight!
Be watchful of your beauty, Lady dear!
How much hangs on that lamp you cannot tell.
Most earnestly I pray you, tend it well:
And men shall see me as a burning sphere;
And men shall mark you eyeing me, and groan
To be the God of such a grand sunflower!
I feel the promptings of Satanic power,
While you do homage unto me alone.
(George Meredith)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, God Poems, Light Poems, Sense & Perception Poems, Beauty Poems, Power Poems, Secrets PoemsBased on Keywords: sentiment, imperious, sunflower, threefold, satanic, eyeing, avowed, lessened, promptings, flattered