Now I can see what Helen was: Men cannot see this woman pass And be not stirred; as Summer's Breeze Sets leaves in battle on the trees. A woman moving gracefully, With golden hair enough for three, Which, mercifully! is not loose, But lies in coils to her head close; With lovely eyes, so dark and blue, So deep, so warm, they burn me through. I see men follow her, as though Their homes were where her steps should go. She seemed as sent to our cold race For fear the beauty of her face Made Paradise in flames like Troy -- I could have gazed all day with joy. In fancy I could see her stand Before a savage, fighting band, And make them, with her words and looks, Exchange their spears for shepherds' crooks, And sing to sheep in quiet nooks; In fancy saw her beauty make A thousand gentle priests uptake Arms for her sake, and shed men's blood. The fairest piece of womanhood, Lovely in feature, form and grace, I ever saw, in any place. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE JESTER'S SERMON by GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY EVENING by ISABELLA LOCKHART ALDERMAN THE LAST MAN: CONCEALED JOY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DAWN MAGIC by CHARLOTTE LOUISE BERTLESEN RAIN POOL by BEATRICE MARY BILLING INACCESSIBILITY IN THE BATTLEFIELD by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 42. FAREWELL TO JULIET (4) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |