I wear a crown invisible and clear, <br />And go my lifted royal way apart <br />Since you have crowned me softly in your heart <br />With love that is half ardent, half austere; <br />And as a queen disguised might pass anear <br />The bitter crowd that barters in a mart, <br />Veiling her pride while tears of pity start, <br />I hide my glory thru a jealous fear. <br />My crown shall stay a sweet and secret thing <br />Kept pure with prayer at evensong and morn, <br />And when you come to take it from my head, <br />I shall not weep, nor will a word be said, <br />But I shall kneel before you, oh my king, <br />And bind my brow forever with a thorn.<br /><br />Sara Teasdale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/crowned/
