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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET by ROBERT BROWNING

Poet Analysis

First Line: EYES, CALM BESIDE THEE (LADY, COULDST THOU KNOW!)
Last Line: "SAVE THAT ONE ONLY:"" -- LADY, COULDST THOU KNOW!"
Subject(s): INFATUATION;

EYES, calm beside thee (Lady, couldst thou know!)
May turn away thick with fast gathering tears:
I glance not where all gaze: thrilling and low
Their passionate praises reach thee -- my cheek wears
Alone no wonder when thou passest by;
Thy tremulous lids, bent and suffused, reply
To the irrepressible homage which doth glow
On every lip but mine: if in thine ears
Their accents linger -- and thou dost recall
Me as I stood, still, guarded, very pale,
Beside each votarist whose lighted brow
Wore worship like an aureole, "O'er them all
My beauty," thou wilt murmur, "did prevail
Save that one only:" -- Lady, couldst thou know!



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