The Temptation of the Ring

[written_leaves]

This darling pain that wounds and sears
And wrings such beauty amid my tears
By deadening me to my earthly cares

This is roughly based on an Emily Bronte poem called "Plead for me," which seemed to suit the push-pull internal struggle that beat at Frodo's reasoning.

The Temptation of the Ring

Ah, thy bright gold must answer now,
When my Reason with scornful brow,
Is mocking at my overthrow!
Oh, thy bittersweet desire must plead for me
And tell why I have chosen thee.

Stern Reason demands judgment come,
Reminds what the inheritance is from:
Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb?
No, radiant circle, speak and say,
Why have I cast the world away.

Why have I persevered to shun
The common paths the others run,
And on this strange road journeyed on.
Its whispers are alike of wealth and power -
Of glory's wreath, an eternal hour.

With a sinking heart I swore
To seek my own hearth-stone no more,
Fought my spirit's desire to adore
Thee, ever-present, phantom thing;
My own, my precious, is this Ring.

This darling pain that wounds and sears
And wrings such beauty amid my tears
By deadening me to my earthly cares;
And yet, thou Ring, though hidden well
Has taught thy subject to rebel.

And am I wrong to keep it where
I cannot doubt, nor hope despair,
Since my own soul is forfeit here?
Cry out, treacherous Ring, plead for me,
And tell why I have chosen thee!

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