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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OF A FAIR LADY PLAYING WITH A SNAKE, by EDMUND WALLER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Strange that such horror and such grace
Last Line: A marble one so warmed would speak.
Variant Title(s): To A Fair Lady Playing With A Snake
Subject(s): Animals; Snakes; Serpents; Vipers
First Line: Strange that such horror and such grace
Last Line: A marble one so warmed would speak.
Variant Title(s): To A Fair Lady Playing With A Snake
Subject(s): Animals; Snakes; Serpents; Vipers
Strange that such horror and such grace
Should dwell together in one place;
A fury's arm, an angel's face!
'Tis innocence, and youth, which makes
In Chloris' fancy such mistakes,
To start at love, and play with snakes.
By this and by her coldness barred,
Her servants have a task too hard;
The tyrant has a double guard!
Thrice happy snake! that in her sleeve
May boldly creep; we dare not give
Our thoughts so unconfined a leave.
Contented in that nest of snow
He lies, as he his bliss did know,
And to the wood no more would go.
Take heed, fair Eve! you do not make
Another tempter of this snake;
A marble one so warmed would speak.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
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THE IMAGINED COPPERHEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS
TO THE SNAKE by DENISE LEVERTOV
FIVE ACCOUNTS OF A MONOGAMOUS MAN by WILLIAM MEREDITH
TANKA DIARY (8) by HARRYETTE MULLEN
SNAKE WOMAN by MARGARET ATWOOD
A PORTRAIT OF MY ROOF by JAMES GALVIN