Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 12. PRELUDE: THE MARRIED LOVER, by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 12. PRELUDE: THE MARRIED LOVER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why, having won her, do I woo
Last Line: And more to-day than yesterday.
Subject(s): Love - Loss Of; Love - Marital; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


WHY, having won her, do I woo?
Because her spirit's vestal grace
Provokes me always to pursue,
But, spirit-like, eludes embrace;
Because her womanhood is such
That, as on court-days subjects kiss
The Queen's hand, yet so near a touch
Affirms no mean familiarness;
Nay, rather marks more fair the height
Which can with safety so neglect
To dread, as lower ladies might,
That grace could meet with. disrespect;
Thus she with happy favour feeds
Allegiance from a love so high
That thence no false conceit proceeds
Of difference bridged, or state put by;
Because although in act and word
As lowly as a wife can be,
Her manners, when they call me lord,
Remind me 'tis by courtesy;
Not with her least consent of will,
Which would my proud affection hurt,
But by the noble style that still
Imputes an unattain'd desert;
Because her gay and lofty brows,
When all is won which hope can ask,
Reflect a light of hopeless snows
That bright in virgin ether bask;
Because, though free of the outer court
I am, this Temple keeps its shrine
Sacred to Heaven; because, in short,
She's not and never can be mine.

Feasts satiate; stars distress with height;
Friendship means well, but misses reach,
And wearies in its best delight
Vexe'd with the vanities of speech;
Too long regarded, roses even
Afflict the mind with fond unrest;
And to converse direct with Heaven
Is oft a labor in the breast;
Whate'er the up-looking soul admires,
Whate'er the senses' banquet be,
Fatigues at last with vain desires,
Or sickesn by saiety;
But truly my delight was more
In her to whom I'm bound for aye
Yesterday than the day before,
And more to-day than yesterday.




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