Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NOLI ME TANGERE, by ELLEN GLINES


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NOLI ME TANGERE, by                    
First Line: Touch beauty, and she flies; laces of frost
Last Line: The intimate small kisses of the rain.
Subject(s): Beauty; Touch (sense)


Touch Beauty, and she flies; laces of frost,
Pale moon-flower and her moth, it is so with these;
Handle the whorled white cobweb, it is lost;
Apples are fairest hanging on the trees;
Touch Beauty and she perishes; no more
Will the rose that you have crushed to smell, unclose
Her golden heart; and if you should adore
Your love too ardently -- Love they say's a Rose!

A frail-winged autumn butterfly can break
The grape's patina, miraculous scented rime;
She who must suffer the wine-press for men's sake
Can hardly, as it draws toward vintage time,
On her fastidious powdered check sustain
The intimate small kisses of the rain.





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