Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MONITOR, by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE


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THE MONITOR, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Yes! Every man worth calling so
Last Line: The warning of the serpent's tooth.


YES! every man worth calling so
Does in his heart a serpent own,
Established there as on a throne,
Which answers Don't!--when you say Do.

Fix your eyes on the tempting gaze,
Which does seductive beauty raise;
The tooth says--Heed to duty give!

Have children to succeed, plant trees,
Your heart let verse or sculpture please;
The tooth says--Hast one day to live?

Howe'er he hope or plan, good sooth!
Man cannot live one moment's space,
Nor 'scape, nor silence, nor efface
The warning of the serpent's tooth.





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