Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WOMAN WITH THE SERPENT'S TONGUE, by WILLIAM WATSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WOMAN WITH THE SERPENT'S TONGUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: She is not old, she is not young
Last Line: The woman with the serpent's tongue.
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): Cruelty; Women


SHE is not old, she is not young,
The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue,
The haggard cheek, the hungering eye,
The poisoned words that wildly fly,
The famished face, the fevered hand, --
Who slights the worthiest in the land,
Sneers at the just, contemns the brave,
And blackens goodness in its grave.

In truthful numbers be she sung,
The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue;
Concerning whom, Fame hints at things
Told but in shrugs and whisperings:
Ambitious from her natal hour,
And scheming all her life for power;
With little left of seemly pride;
With venomed fangs she cannot hide;
Who half makes love to you to-day,
To-morrow gives her guest away.
Burnt up within by that strange soul
She cannot slake, or yet control:
Malignant-lipp'd, unkind, unsweet;
Past all example indiscreet;
Hectic, and always overstrung, --
The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue.

To think that such as she can mar
Names that among the noblest are!
That hands like hers can touch the springs
That move who knows what men and things?
That on her will their fates have hung! --
The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net