Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE PORTRAIT OF 'A GENTLEMAN', IN THE ATHENAEUM GALLERY, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It may be so - perhaps thou hast Last Line: I've seen that face before. Subject(s): Portraits | ||||||||
IT may be so, -- perhaps thou hast A warm and loving heart; I will not blame thee for thy face, Poor devil as thou art. That thing thou fondly deem'st a nose, Unsightly though it be, -- In spite of all the cold world's scorn, It may be much to thee. Those eyes, -- among thine elder friends Perhaps they pass for blue, -- No matter, -- if a man can see, What more have eyes to do? Thy mouth, -- that fissure in thy face, By something like a chin, -- May be a very useful place To put thy victual in. I know thou hast a wife at home, I know thou hast a child, By that subdued, domestic smile Upon thy features mild. That wife sits fearless by thy side, That cherub on thy knee; They do not shudder at thy looks, They do not shrink from thee. Above thy mantle is a hook, -- A portrait once was there; It was thine only ornament, -- Alas! that hook is bare. She begged thee not to let it go, She begged thee all in vain; She wept, -- and breathed a trembling prayer To meet it safe again. It was a bitter sight to see That picture torn away; It was a solemn thought to think What all her friends would say! And often in her calmer hours, And in her happy dreams, Upon its long-deserted hook The absent portrait seems. Thy wretched infant turns his head In melancholy wise, And looks to meet the placid stare Of those unbending eyes. I never saw thee, lovely one, -- Perchance I never may; It is not often that we cross Such people in our way; But if we meet in distant years, Or on some foreign shore, Sure I can take my Bible oath, I've seen that face before. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AQUATINT FRAMED IN GOLD by AMY LOWELL PORTRAIT OF X (III) by THOMAS LUX PORTRAIT OF THE GREAT WHITE HUNTER FOXHUNTING IN THE ABSENCE OF BIG... by CLARENCE MAJOR PORTRAIT OF A MAN by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER PORTRAITE DE L'ARTISTE by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER FAMILY PORTRAIT by KENNETH PATCHEN FEMALE PORTRAIT, 19TH CENTURY by TOMAS TRANSTROMER A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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