Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RETORT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

Poem Explanation

First Line: THOU ART A FOOL,' SAID MY HEAD TO MY HEART
Last Line: "THOU ART WORSE THAN A FOOL, O HEAD!"
"THOU art a fool," said my head to my heart,
"Indeed, the greatest of fools thou art,
To be led astray by the trick of a tress,
By a smiling face or a ribbon smart;"
And my heart was in sore distress.

Then Phyllis came by, and her face was fair,
The light gleamed soft on her raven hair;
And her lips were blooming a rosy red.
Then my heart spoke out with a right bold air:
"Thou art worse than a fool, O head!"



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