Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO PHOEBE by WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT

Poet Analysis

First Line: GENTLE, MODEST LITTLE FLOWER
Last Line: BUT I DO NOT, PHOEBE DEAR.
Subject(s): WOMEN;

"GENTLE, modest little flower,
Sweet epitome of May,
Love me but for half an hour,
Love me, love me, little fay."
Sentences so fiercely flaming
In your tiny, shell-like ear,
I should always be exclaiming
If I loved you, Phoebe dear.

"Smiles that thrill from any distance
Shed upon me while I sing!
Please ecstaticize existence,
Love me, oh, thou fairy thing!"
Words like these, outpouring sadly,
You'd perpetually hear,
If I loved you fondly, madly; --
But I do not, Phoebe dear.



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