Love steals unheeded o'er the tranquil mind, <br />As Summer breezes fan the sleeping main, <br />Slow through each fibre creeps the subtle pain, <br />'Till closely round the yielding bosom twin'd. <br />Vain is the hope the magic to unbind, <br />The potent mischief riots in the brain, <br />Grasps ev'ry thought, and burns in ev'ry vein, <br />'Till in the heart the Tyrant lives enshrin'd. <br />Oh! Victor strong! bending the vanquish'd frame; <br />Sweet is the thraldom that thou bid'st us prove! <br />And sacred is the tear thy victims claim, <br />For blest are those whom sighs of sorrow move! <br />Then nymphs beware how ye profane my name, <br />Nor blame my weakness, till like me ye love!<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-xvii-love-steals-unheeded/
