I STRUCK the board, and cry?d, No more ; I will abroad. What ? shall I ever sigh and pine ? My lines and life are free ; free as the rode, Loose as the winde, as large as store. Shall I be still in suit ? Have I no harvest but a thorn To let me bloud, and not restore What I have lost with cordiall fruit ? Sure there was wine, Before my sighs did drie it : there …
showed first 75 words of 934 total

showed last 75 words of 934 total
…The pairs seem to be of equal length to the ear though counting syllables will show an extra iambic foot in the final line. "But as I rav'd and grew more fierce and wild At every word Me thoughts I heard one calling, Child! And I reply'd, My Lord." That extra foot is, in effect, the conclusion to the poet's rebellion as to the poem: "My lord" truly shows the poet's acceptance of "The Collar".