Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, POETRY AND THE POET, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

POETRY AND THE POET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When, in a frame of liquid verse
Last Line: And mock the poet and the man.
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


WHEN, in a frame of liquid verse,
I read you how pure Love's delight
Is turned to Life's consummate curse,
By woman's pride and hard despite, --
Full many a sympathising chord
Vibrated all your soul along;
You trembled at each poignant word,
And wept ere I had closed the song.

But when, in rude and broken prose,
I laid my heart before you bare, --
Dared the deep misery to disclose,
Which you had long awakened there;
A trivial laugh, a pitying look
(Yet half of scorn) was all you gave, --
You bent before the lifeless Book,
Though loth a living Heart to save.

My Art is not a vulgar craft
To work some passing Pleasure-spell, --
There is no virtue in the draught
For those who desecrate the well:
Proud Loveliness! retain your sway, --
Leave me to suffer as I can,
But do not seem to love the Lay,
And mock the Poet and the Man.





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