Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DORA VERSUS ROSE, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: From the tragic-est novels at mudie's Last Line: Is easily guessed. Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin Subject(s): Trials; Women | ||||||||
'The Case is proceeding.' FROM the tragic-est novels at Mudie's -- At least, on a practical plan -- To the tales of mere Hodges and Judys, One love is enough for a man. But no case that I ever yet met is Like mine: I am equally fond Of Rose, who a charming brunette is, And Dora, a blonde. Each rivals the other in powers -- Each waltzes, each warbles, each paints -- Miss Rose, chiefly tumble-down towers; Miss Do., perpendicular saints. In short, to distinguish is folly; 'Twixt the pair I am come to the pass Of Macheath, between Lucy and Polly, -- Or Buridan's ass. If it happens that Rosa I've singled For a soft celebration in rhyme, Then the ringlets of Dora get mingled Somehow with the tune and the time; Or I painfully pen me a sonnet To an eyebrow intended for Do.'s, And behold I am writing upon it The legend 'To Rose.' Or I try to draw Dora (my blotter Is all overscrawled with her head), If I fancy at last that I've got her, It turns to her rival instead; Or I find myself placidly adding To the rapturous tresses of Rose Miss Dora's bud-mouth, and her madding, Ineffable nose. Was there ever so sad a dilemma? For Rose I would perish (pro tem.); For Dora I'd willingly stem a -- (Whatever might offer to stem); But to make the invidious election, -- To declare that on either one's side I've a scruple, -- a grain, more affection, I cannot decide. And, as either so hopelessly nice is, My sole and my final resource Is to wait some indefinite crisis, -- Some feat of molecular force, To solve me this riddle conducive By no means to peace or repose, Since the issue can scarce be inclusive Of Dora and Rose. (Aflterthought.) But, perhaps, if a third (say a Norah), Not quite so delightful as Rose, -- Not wholly so charming as Dora, -- Should appear, is it wrong to suppose, -- As the claims of the others are equal, -- And flight -- in the main -- is the best, -- That I might ... But no matter, -- the sequel Is easily guessed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV A FANCY FROM FONTENELLE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
|