Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ROSABELLE, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ROSABELLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When my young lady has grown great and staid
Last Line: To each she ran, and took and gave a kiss.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Subject(s): Women


WHEN my young lady has grown great and staid,
And in long raiment wondrously arrayed,
She may take pleasure with a smile to know
How she delighted men-folk long ago.
For her long after, then, this tale I tell
Of the two fans and fairy Rosabelle.
Hot was the day; her weary sire and I
Sat in our chairs companionably nigh,
Each with a headache sat her sire and I.

Instant the hostess waked: she viewed the scene,
Divined the giants' languor by their mien,
And . . . with hospitable care
Tackles at once an Atlantean chair.
Her pigmy stature scarce attained the seat --
She dragged it where she would, and with her feet
Surmounted; thence, a Phaeton launched, she crowned
The vast plateau of the piano, found
And culled a pair of fans; wherewith equipped,
Our mountaineer back to the level slipped;
And being landed, with considerate eyes,
Betwixt her elders dealt her double prize;
The small to me, the greater to her sire.
As painters now advance and now retire
Before the growing canvas, and anon
Once more approach and put the climax on:
So she a while withdrew, her piece she viewed --
For half a moment half supposed it good --
Spied her mistake, nor sooner spied than ran
To remedy; and with the greater fan,
In gracious better thought, equipped the guest.

From ill to well, from better on to best,
Arts move; the homely, like the plastic kind;
And high ideals fired that infant mind.
Once more she backed, once more a space apart
Considered and reviewed her work of art:
Doubtful at first, and gravely yet a while;
Till all her features blossomed in a smile.
And the child, waking at the call of bliss,
To each she ran, and took and gave a kiss.





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