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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ADORED ONE: 6 by JAMES OPPENHEIM

First Line: WHOSE ADORED ONE IS THIS? FOR HER BEAUTY WALKS
Last Line: YOU TOO MUST ADORE THE BELOVED, AND KNEEL DOWN YOURSELF WHEN HE KNEELS.
Subject(s): WOMEN;

WHOSE adored one is this? For her beauty walks on light to the ends of the Earth:
The Australian and Spaniard must sigh at a glance of her face.

Many bring gifts to you, kneeling in the dust before your loveliness:
Must I come, too?
Ah, no! ah, no!

I will stand before you: my eyes a little higher than your eyes:
I will demand tribute of you,
Even the tribute I bring:
Yourself for myself: equal and free.

If you want worshippers, take these secret thirsters after your beauty ...
The honey they bring is bitter ...
But if you want love, you can only get what you give:
You too must adore the beloved, and kneel down yourself when he kneels.



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