Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HAD I THE CHOICE (AFTER WALT WHITMAN), by GEORGE SANTAYANA



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HAD I THE CHOICE (AFTER WALT WHITMAN), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Had I the choice to emulate the verse
Last Line: And leave its odor there.
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Had I the choice to emulate the verse
Of poets stately, beautiful, sublime;
Could I be Homer's equal, to rehearse
The wars and warriors of heroic time,
Hector, Achilles, Ajax; had I art
The woe-entangled Hamlet to declare,
Or unfold Lear's, Othello's, inmost heart,
Or sing as Tennyson of ladies fair; --
Metre and wit the best, and minstrel fingers,
And choice conceit to wield in perfect rhyme,
Delight of singers: --
These, these, O sea, all these I gladly gave,
Would you the undulation of one wave,
Its trick to me transfer, its sigh, its prayer,
Or breathe one breath of yours upon my verse
And leave its odor there.





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