Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT AND FUSELI, by ROBERT BROWNING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT AND FUSELI, by                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh but is it not hard, dear
Last Line: Utterly lost, was -- you!
Subject(s): Fuseli, Henry (1741-1825); Godwin, Mary Wollenstonecraft (1759-79); Love; Wollenstone, Mary (1759-79)


OH, but is it not hard, Dear?
Mine are the nerves to quake at a mouse:
If a spider drops I shrink with fear:
I should die outright in a haunted house;
While for you -- did the danger dared bring help --
From a lion's den I could steal his whelp,
With a serpent round me, stand stock-still,
Go sleep in a churchyard, -- so would will
Give me the power to dare and do
Valiantly -- just for you!

Much amiss in the head, Dear,
I toil at a language, tax my brain
Attempting to draw -- the scratches here!
I play, play, practise, and all in vain:
But for you -- if my triumph brought you pride,
I would grapple with Greek Plays till I died,
Paint a portrait of you -- who can tell?
Work my fingers off for your "Pretty well:"
Language and painting and music too,
Easily done -- for you!

Strong and fierce in the heart, Dear,
With -- more than a will -- what seems a power
To pounce on my prey, love outbroke here
In flame devouring and to devour.
Such love has labored its best and worst
To win me a lover; yet, last as first,
I have not quickened his pulse one beat,
Fixed a moment's fancy, bitter or sweet:
Yet the strong fierce heart's love's labor's due,
Utterly lost, was -- you!





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