|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SECRETS OF THE HEART, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This way / no, this way Last Line: Nor do I Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin | |||
'Le coeur mene ou il va.' SCENE. -- A Chalet covered with Honeysuckle. NINETTE. NINON. NINETTE. THIS way -- NINON. No, this way -- NINETTE. This way, then. (They enter the Chalet.) You are as changing, Child, -- as Men. NINON. But are they? Is it true, I mean? Who said it? NINETTE. Sister SERAPHINE. She was so pious and so good, With such sad eyes beneath her hood, And such poor little feet, -- all bare! Her name was EUGENIE LA FERE. She used to tell us, -- moonlight nights, -- When I was at the Carmelites. NINON. Ah, then it must be right. And yet, Suppose for once -- suppose, NINETTE -- NINETTE. But what? NINON. Suppose it were not so? Suppose there were true men, you know! NINETTE. And then? NINON. Why, if that could occur, What kind of man should you prefer? NINETTE. What looks, you mean? NINON. Looks, voice and all. NINETTE. Well, as to that, he must be tall, Or say, not 'tall,' -- of middle size; And next, he must have laughing eyes, And a hook-nose, -- with, underneath, O! what a row of sparkling teeth! NINON (touching her cheek suspiciously). Has he a scar on this side? NINETTE. Hush! Some one is coming. No; a thrush: I see it swinging there. NINON. Go on. NINETTE. Then he must fence, (ah, look, 'tis gone!) And dance like Monseigneur, and sing 'Love was a Shepherd': -- everything That men do. Tell me yours, NINON. NINON. Shall I? Then mine has black, black hair... I mean he should have; then an air Half sad, half noble; features thin; A little royale on the chin; And such a pale, high brow. And then, He is a prince of gentlemen; -- He, too, can ride and fence and write Sonnets and madrigals, yet fight No worse for that -- NINETTE. I know your man. NINON. And I know yours. But you'll not tell, -- Swear it! NINETTE. I swear upon this fan, -- My Grandmother's! NINON. And I, I swear On this old turquoise reliquaire, -- My great -- great Grandmother's! -- (After a pause.) NINETTE! I feel so sad. NINETTE. I too. But why? NINON. Alas, I know not! NINETTE (with a sigh). Nor do I | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GAGE D'AMOUR by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON A GARDEN SONG by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON ARS VICTRIX (IMITATED FROM THEOPHILE GAUTIER) by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON BEFORE SEDAN by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON DORA VERSUS ROSE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON GROWING GRAY by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW; IN MEMORIAM by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON IN AFTER DAYS; RONDEAU by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE BALLAD OF PROSE AND RHYME by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON WHEN THERE IS PEACE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
|