Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LE MONDE EST MECHANT, by THEOPHILE GAUTIER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LE MONDE EST MECHANT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: The world is malevolent dear
Last Line: What feeling and wit you display!
Alternate Author Name(s): Theo, Le Bon
Subject(s): Earth; Man-woman Relationships; World; Male-female Relations


The world is malevolent, dear,
And it says, with a cynical sneer,
That your bosom conceals, ma petite,
A watch, where a heart ought to beat!

Still, your breast, when emotion enthralls,
Like a wave ever rises and falls,
With the ebb and the flow of the tide,
That o'er your young body doth glide.

The world has maliciously said
That your eyes, full of passion, are dead,
And revolve in their orbits on springs,
Like patent, mechanical things!

Still, ofttimes a crystalline tear
On your eye-lashes trembles, my dear,
Like a pearl-drop of luminous dew
That clings to some violet blue.

The world is malicious—it swears
That your brain is as light as a hare's,
And that sonnets composed for your ear
Are riddles in Greek to you, dear!

Still, oft on your lips that unclose
Like the leaves of an exquisite rose,
A subtle, intelligent smile
Alights, like a bee, for a while.

'Tis because you are fond of me, dear,
That the world in your case is severe;
Discard me—and then they will say
What feeling and wit you display!





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