Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHARADE: 5, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHARADE: 5, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My second could never produce my first
Last Line: With whom it were vain to plead.
Subject(s): Iceland


MY second could never produce my first,
Though its opposite frequently may;
'Tis a thing that is trampled upon and cursed,
So tell me its name, I pray.

In my whole both my second and first you would see,
With more of the latter than pleasant;
A treat I consider this latter to be,
Though, like all earthly good, evanescent.

Above my second 'tis commonly borne,
Though carefully kept below it;
Full many a home it has caused to mourn,
And the newspaper accidents show it.

When my second is looking its dullest and worst,
And my whole must be dreary indeed,
Like a hard-hearted tyrant comes forth my first,
With whom it were vain to plead.





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