passion

Passion

The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion conquers reason still.
May I govern my passions with absolute sway,
And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away.

In men, we various ruling passions find;
In women two almost divide the kind;
Those only fix'd, they first or last obey.
The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.

Only I discern
Infinite passion, and the pain
Of finite hearts that yearn.

Oh how the passions, insolent and strong,
Bear our weak minds their rapid course along;
Make us the madness of their will obey;
Then die and leave us to our griefs a prey!

Lose not thyself, nor give thy humors way;
God gave them to thee under lock and key.
Bee to the blossom, moth to the flame;
Each to his passion; what's in a name?

Take heed lest passion sway
Thy judgment to do aught, which else free will
Would not admit.
Alas! too well,. too well they know
The pain, the penitence, the woe
That passion brings down on the best,
The wisest and the loveliest.

His soul, like bark with rudder lost,
On passion's changeful tide was tost;
Nor vice nor virtue had the power
Beyond th' impression of the hour;
And O, when passion rules, how rare
The hours that fall to virtue's share!

When reason, like the skilful charioteer,
Can break the fiery passions to the bit,
And, spite of their licentious sallies, keep
The radiant tract of glory; passions, then,
Are aids and ornaments. Triumphant reason,
Firm in her seat, and swift in her career,
Enjoys their violence, and, smiling, thanks
Their formidable flame, for bright renown.

Give me that man
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,
As I do thee.