SONNET.
I am unskill’d in speech: my tongue is slow
The graceful courtesies of life to pay;
To deck kind meanings up in trim array,
Keeping the mind’s soft tone: words such as flow
From Complaisance, when she alone inspires!
And Caution, with a care that never tires,
Marshals each tribe of thoughts in such a way
That all are ready for their needful task,
The moment the occasion comes to ask,
All prompt to hear, to answer and obey;
When mine, undisciplin’d, their cause betray,
By coward falterings, or rebellious zeal!–
And Art, though subtle, though sublime thy sway,
I doubt if thou canst rule us, when we feel!
(Matilda Betham)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Mind Poems, Art Poems, Speech Poems, Obedience Poems, Betrayal Poems, Moderation & Temperance Poems, Enthusiasm PoemsBased on Keywords: courtesies, marshals, unskill, complaisance, undisciplin, falterings