English poem
Thought
by Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy (1844–1881)
There is no place at all by night or day, Where I—who am of that hard tyrant Thought The slave—can find security in aught, But He, almighty, reaching me, doth lay His hand upon me there, so rough a way Assaulting me,—however I am caught, Walking or standing still—that for support I sometimes lean on anything I may: Then when he hath me, ease is none from him Till he do out his strength with me; cold sweat Comes o’er my body and on every limb; My arm falls weak as from a fierce embrace; And, ere he leaveth me, he will have set A great eternal mark upon my face.