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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A BALLADE OF THE PROM by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "FULL OF GRACIOUSNESS, FULL OF GRACE"
Last Line: MODEST MAID OF THE VIOLET!
Subject(s): PARTIES;PROMS;YALE UNIVERSITY;

FULL of graciousness, full of grace,
Bright and merry from top to toe,
Fairy figure and fairiest face,
Deep, soft eyes like a startled doe,
Dusky tresses that wave and blow,
Chaining our hearts in their silken net --
Thus is thy likeness drawn, I trow,
Modest maid of the violet!

Grave Old Yale is an altered place;
Gray walls answer thy laughter low --
Eli's sons are a merrier race;
Under thy glances they gladsome grow,
Study and care to the winds they throw,
Sigh for the smile of a coy coquette --
@3Vogue la galere@1 is @3comme il faut@1,
Modest maid of the violet!

Locked at length in a light embrace,
Swung to the swirl of the sound-waves' flow --
Lights that mingle and interlace --
Rose-leaf blushes that come and go,
Eyes that whisper to eyes that know --
We shall remember -- will you forget?
What new dreams will the morrow show,
Modest maid of the violet?

L'ENVOI

After the parting, amid our woe
One consolation remaineth yet --
Thou wilt return in a year or so,
Modest maid of the violet!



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