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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 19. THE SOUTHERN PASSION, by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913)
First Line: I held a woman fairer than the sun
Last Line: Than any colder gaze our northland brings.
Subject(s): Passion
First Line: I held a woman fairer than the sun
Last Line: Than any colder gaze our northland brings.
Subject(s): Passion
I held a woman fairer than the sun,
And marvelled as she kissed me. Was I set
Beside the seas the eyes of Shelley met?
Had I the Italian dark-haired rapture won?—
I seemed no longer where our dim streams run
And where the leaves with ceaseless storms are wet:—
The woman's long loose hair was black as jet;
Its scent stayed with me when the kiss was done.
The glory of Southern passion filled my mind,
And pale seemed even Venus' locks of gold
And poor and worthless by those black locks twined
Over the brow some god had bent to mould:
And her warm starlike eyes seemed sweeter things
Than any colder gaze our Northland brings.
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