Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE PORTRAIT OF 'A LADY', IN THE ATHENAEUM GALLERY, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES


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TO THE PORTRAIT OF 'A LADY', IN THE ATHENAEUM GALLERY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Well, miss, I wonder where you live
Last Line: Hushed up among one's friends!
Subject(s): Portraits


IN THE ATHENAEUM GALLERY
WELL, Miss, I wonder where you live,
I wonder what's your name,
I wonder how you came to be
In such a stylish frame;
Perhaps you were a favorite child,
Perhaps an only one;
Perhaps your friends were not aware
You had your portrait done!

Yet you must be a harmless soul;
I cannot think that Sin
Would care to throw his loaded dice,
With such a stake to win;
I cannot think you would provoke
The poet's wicked pen,
Or make young women bite their lips,
Or ruin fine young men.

Pray, did you ever hear, my love,
Of boys that go about,
Who, for a very trifling sum,
Will snip one's picture out?
I'm not averse to red and white,
But all things have their place,
I think a profile cut in black
Would suit your style of face!

I love sweet features; I will own
That I should like myself
To see my portrait on a wall,
Or bust upon a shelf;
But nature sometimes makes one up
Of such sad odds and ends,
It really might be quite as well
Hushed up among one's friends!





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