Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNETS OF ABEL SHUFFLEBOTTOM: 1. DELIA AT PLAY, by ROBERT SOUTHEY


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SONNETS OF ABEL SHUFFLEBOTTOM: 1. DELIA AT PLAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: She held a cup and ball of ivory white
Last Line: Who on that dart impales my bosom's gem?
Subject(s): Beauty; Desire; Man-woman Relationships; Play; Sonnet (as Literary Form); Women; Male-female Relations


SHE held a cup and ball of ivory white,
Less white the ivory than her snowy hand!
Enrapt I watch'd her from my secret stand,
As now, intent, in innocent delight,
Her taper fingers twirl'd the giddy ball,
Now tost it, following still with eagle sight,
Now on the pointed end infix'd its fall.
Marking her sport I mused, and musing sigh'd,
Methought the ball she play'd with was my heart!
(Alas! that sport like that should be her pride!)
And the keen point which steadfast still she eyed
Wherewith to pierce it, that was Cupid's dart;
Shall I not then the cruel fair condemn
Who on that dart impales my bosom's gem?





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