Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, L'INCONNUE, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

L'INCONNUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Is thy name mary, maiden fair?
Last Line: Forget, despise, but not reveal!
Subject(s): Names


Is thy name Mary, maiden fair?
Such should, methinks, its music be;
The sweetest name that mortals bear
Were best befitting thee;
And she to whom it once was given,
Was half of earth and half of heaven.

I hear thy voice, I see thy smile,
I look upon thy folded hair;
Ah! while we dream not they beguile,
Our hearts are in the snare;
And she who chains a wild bird's wing
Must start not if her captive sing.

So, lady, take the leaf that falls,
To all but thee unseen, unknown;
When evening shades thy silent walls,
Then read it all alone;
In stillness read, in darkness seal,
Forget, despise, but not reveal!





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