Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE DUKE OF ALVA'S OBSERVATIONS ON KINGS by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: KINGS, WHEN TO PRIVATE AUDIENCE THEY DESCEND
Last Line: LIKE SOME OLD BOOK WHICH HE HAS READ ALL OVER.
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS;

KINGS, when to private audience they descend,
And make the baffled courtier their prey,
Do use an orange, as they treat a friend --
Extract the juice, and cast the rind away.

When thou art favour'd by thy sovereign's eye,
Let not his glance thine inmost thoughts discover;
Or he will scan thee through, and lay thee by,
Like some old book which he has read all over.





Home: PoetryExplorer.net