O, thy bright eyes must answer now, <br />When Reason, with a scornful brow, <br />Is mocking at my overthrow! <br />O, thy sweet tongue must plead for me, <br />And tell why I have chosen thee! <br /> <br />Stern Reason is to judgment come, <br />Arrayed in all her forms of gloom: <br />Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb? <br />No, radiant angel, speak and say <br />Why I did cast the world away; <br /> <br />Why I have presevered to shun <br />The common paths that others run, <br />And on a strange road journeyed on, <br />Heedless alike of wealth and power, <br />Of Glory's wreath and Pleasure's flower. <br /> <br />These once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine; <br />And they, perchance, heard vows of mine, <br />And saw my offerings on their shrine; <br />But careless gifts are seldom prized, <br />And mine were worthily despised. <br /> <br />So, with a ready heart I swore <br />To seek their altar-stone no more; <br />And gave my spirit to adore <br />Thee, ever-present, phantom thing— <br />My slave, my comrade, and my king. <br /> <br />A slave, because I rule thee still, <br />Incline thee to my changeful will, <br />And make thy influence good or ill; <br />A comrade, for by day and night <br />Thou art my intimate delight,— <br /> <br />My darling pain that wounds and sears, <br />And wrings a blessing out of tears <br />Be deadening me to earthly cares; <br />And yet, a king, though Prudence well <br />Have taught thy subject to rebel. <br /> <br />And I am wrong to worship where <br />Faith cannot doubt, nor Hope despair, <br />Since my own soul can grant my prayer? <br />Speak, God of Visions, plead for me, <br />And tell why I have chosen thee!<br /><br />Emily Jane Brontë<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/speak-god-of-visions-2/
