Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SHOWMEN, by CHARLES MARIE RENE LECONTE DE LISLE Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Like to a dismal brute, dust-smothered, teased Last Line: Nor leer for lovers like a shameless whore. Subject(s): Love; Prostitution; Harlots; Whores; Brothels | ||||||||
LIKE to a dismal brute, dust-smothered, teased, That tugs its chain and bays the blistering sky, Trail thy torn heart who will in the foul sty That so the lewd, flesh-ravening mob be pleased; Let Love's own veil of glorious light be seized And torn from shuddering limbs divinely shy, That so the fire rekindle its dull eye, Its mirth and boorish pity be appeased! Though proud and silent graveward I go hence, I'd rather plunge to endless darkness down Than sell my heart-throbs for the rabble's roar; I would not give my body like a clown To tumble on its paltry board for pence, Nor leer for lovers like a shameless whore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVING YOU IN FLEMISH by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A MAN AND WOMAN ABSOLUTELY WHITE by ANDRE BRETON AFTER THREE PHOTOGRAPHS OF BRASSAI by NORMAN DUBIE THE VIOLENT SPACE by ETHERIDGE KNIGHT AN OLD WHOREHOUSE by MARY OLIVER CHICAGO CABARET by KENNETH REXROTH FOR A MASSEUSE AND PROSTITUTE by KENNETH REXROTH HARRISON STREET COURT by CARL SANDBURG A FESTIVAL by CHARLES MARIE RENE LECONTE DE LISLE AFTER A THOUSAND YEARS by CHARLES MARIE RENE LECONTE DE LISLE |
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