Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CONDITIONALLY by WILLIAM FRENCH COLLINS

First Line: ETHEL ASKED ME FOR A VERSE
Last Line: GRANT THE RHYMESTER SOMETHING, TOO!
Subject(s): LOVE - UNREQUITED;

ETHEL asked me for a verse.
'T is a bargain, -- I agree!
Yet before I can rehearse
Half your charms in one short verse,
Ethel, promise me, --
If I do this much for you,
Grant the rhymester something, too!

I could praise your laughing eyes, --
Say that nothing could compare
With the beauteous light that lies
Ever in your deep brown eyes, --
Yet would it be fair
That I do all this for you
And have nothing given, too?

Not one glance! Your very smile
Is another's, -- not for me!
Can I sing your praises while
Some one else receives your smile?
Ethel! Can't you see
How to make me write of you?
Grant the rhymester something, too!



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