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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A PRODIGAL OLD MAID by JOHN ORLEY ALLEN TATE

Poet Analysis

First Line: SING NOW NO HYMN NOR CHANT A DIRGE
Last Line: TO HAVE COME A SPRINGTIME SINCE.
Subject(s): SPINSTERS; OLD MAIDS;

Sing now no hymn nor chant a dirge
Nor weep for any dead thing,
Still in her veins an ardent sting
Her beating blood can urge.

To the white pale lily she is kind,
Rearing a few flowers that are red,
Yet sometimes weeds grow there instead ...
In the conservatory of her mind.

A quick caress she gives the rose,
Lilac, geranium -- all in season ...
Oh, if she might have seen a reason
For powdering her nose!

Too deft at lavender and chintz,
Too cold for wooing but not wan,
She dreams a springtime gentleman
To have come a springtime since.



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