FOR which one, Horace, did you really care? Was it for Pyrrha, of the golden hair, Or timid, fawn-like Chloe, Or questioning Leuconoe? Did light-loved Lydia hold you in her snare? Did teasing, tameless Myrtale enchain That roving heart of yours? Did you, in vain, Sigh for the brightness, The shining whiteness Of Glycera enslaving you again? Was it dear Lalage, who sweetly smiled And sweetly spoke, your heart, at last, beguiled? Or was it fixed upon That nameless, angry one To whom you wrote those young iambics wild? Did lovely, low-browed Lycoris allure, Or high-browed Tyndaris, poetess pure, Your poet's hear enthrall? Or—did you love them all? You were inclusive, Horace—that is sure! Your commentators know not what to think; They wonder not you drowned your cares in drink! But I—a poet—guess That all your tenderness For these fair, many maids was just—in ink! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HYMN TO CONTENTMENT by THOMAS PARNELL THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 11. ABRAHAM DAVENPORT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER VERSES TO RHYME WITH 'ROSE' (2) by JANE AUSTEN SPARROWS SELF-DOMESTICATED IN TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE by VINCENT BOURNE A SWEET CONTENTION BETWEEN LOVE, HIS MISTRESS, AND BEAUTY by NICHOLAS BRETON CHRISTMAS EVE by ROBERT BROWNING |