Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR A PICTURE OF ST.DOROTHEA, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR A PICTURE OF ST.DOROTHEA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I bear a basket lined with grass
Last Line: Nor fruit, nor flowers, nor dorothy.
Subject(s): Dorothea, St. (4th Century); Flowers; Fruit


I BEAR a basket lined with grass;
I am so light, I am so fair,
That men must wonder as I pass
And at the basket that I bear,
Where in a newly-drawn green litter
Sweet flowers I carry, -- sweets for bitter.

Lilies I shew you, lilies none,
None in Caesar's gardens blow, --
And a quince in hand, -- not one
Is set upon your boughs below;
Not set, because their buds not spring;
Spring not, 'cause world is wintering.

But these were found in the East and South
Where Winter is the clime forgot. --
The dewdrop on the larkspur's mouth
O should it then be quench & graved not?
In starry water-meads they drew
These drops: which be they? stars or dew?

Had she a quince in hand? Yet gaze:
Rather it is the sizing moon.
Lo, linked heavens with milky ways!
That was her larkspur row. -- So soon?
Sphered so fast, sweet soul? -- We see
Nor fruit, nor flowers, nor Dorothy.






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