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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LOYALTY by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES

Poet Analysis

First Line: KINGS, WHO WOULD HAVE GOOD SUBJECTS, MUST
Last Line: CAN SING WITHOUT HIS ROBE OR GLASS.
Subject(s): LOYALTY;

Kings, who would have good subjects, must
Be loyal subjects in themselves:
We poets – like women with their hair –
Who sing before a looking-glass,
Can count our loyal subjects, there!

You, who have found young Cupid's thumb
So soft and white, from constant sucking –
Sit down and think how sweet it was:
Until your poet, grown sincere,
Can sing without his robe or glass.



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