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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OPPORTUNITY, by NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI Poet's Biography First Line: But who art thou, with curious beauty graced Last Line: "how lightly I have fled beneath thy hand." Subject(s): Opportunity | |||
"But who art thou, with curious beauty graced, O woman, stamped with some bright heavenly seal? Why go thy feet on wings, and in such haste?" "I am that maid whose secret few may steal Called Opportunity. I hasten by Because my feet are treading on a wheel, "Being more swift to run than birds to fly. And rightly on my feet my wings I wear, To blind the sight of those who track and spy; "Rightly in front I hold my scattered hair To veil my face, and down my breast to fall, Lest men should know my name when I am there; "And leave behind my back no wisp at all For eager folk to clutch, what time I glide So near, and turn, and pass beyond recall." "Tell me; who is that Figure at thy side?" "Penitence. Mark this well that by degree Who lets me go must keep her for his bride. "And thou hast spent much time in talk with me Busied with thoughts and fancies vainly grand, Nor hast remarked, O fool, neither dost see How lightly I have fled beneath thy hand." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OPPORTUNITY by JOHN JAMES INGALLS OPPORTUNITY by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL DIS ALITER VISUM; OR, LE BYRON DE NOS JOURS by ROBERT BROWNING THE GOLDEN TEXT by GEORGE FREDERICK CAMERON WITHIN MY REACH! by EMILY DICKINSON |
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