IF all the gentlest-hearted friends I know <br />Concentred in one heart their gentleness, <br />That still grew gentler till its pulse was less <br />For life than pity,--I should yet be slow <br />To bring my own heart nakedly below <br />The palm of such a friend, that he should press <br />Motive, condition, means, appliances, <br /> <br />My false ideal joy and fickle woe, <br />Out full to light and knowledge; I should fear <br />Some plait between the brows, some rougher chime <br />In the free voice. O angels, let your flood <br />Of bitter scorn dash on me ! do ye hear <br />What I say who hear calmly all the time <br />This everlasting face to face with GOD ?<br /><br />Elizabeth Barrett Browning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-apprehension/
