Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF LADIES' NAMES, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE OF LADIES' NAMES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Brown's for lalage, jones for lelia
Last Line: Anna's the name of names for me!
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Names; Women


BROWN'S for Lalage, Jones for Lelia,
Robinson's bosom for Beatrice glows,
Smith is a Hamlet before Ophelia.
The glamour stays if the reason goes!
Every lover the years disclose
Is of a beautiful name made free.
One befriends, and all others are foes.
Anna's the name of names for me.

Sentiment hallows the vowels of Delia;
Sweet simplicity breathes from Rose;
Courtly memories glitter in Celia;
Rosalind savours of quips and hose,
Araminta of wits and beaux,
Prue of puddings, and Coralie
All of sawdust and spangled shows;
Anna's the name of names for me.

Fie upon Caroline, Madge, Amelia—
These I reckon the essence of prose!—
Cavalier Katharine, cold Cornelia,
Portia's masterful Roman nose,
Maud's magnificence, Totty's toes,
Poll and Bet with their twang of the sea,
Nell's impertinence, Pamela's woes!
Anna's the name of names for me.

ENVOY

Ruth like a gillyflower smells and blows,
Sylvia prattles of Arcadee,
Sybil mystifies, Connie crows,
Anna's the name of names for me!





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