Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HANDSOMEST MAN IN THE ROOM, by WILLIAM MACQUORN RANKINE First Line: I've always been told that I'm pretty Last Line: Of the handsomest man in the room. Subject(s): Beauty; Conceit; Man-woman Relationships; Modesty; Male-female Relations | ||||||||
I'VE always been told that I'm pretty (And really I think so myself), I'm accomplished, good-tempered, and witty, And papa has got plenty of pelf. My teeth, eyes, and curls, I won't mention, My shape, nor my delicate bloom; But I'm sure I deserve the attention Of "the handsomest man in the room." Yes, I know I deserve the attention, Of the "handsomest man in the room." When I met that sublimest of fellows, The sight really made my heart jump; Other men shrank to mere punchinellos, As he towered like a pine in a clump. So noble and classic each feature, With a touching expression of gloom, That I said to myself"The dear creature! He's the handsomest man in the room!" "Yes!" I said to myself,"The dear creature! He's the handsomest man in the room!" He asked me if I'd walk a measure, (When he came it was nearly midnight) I said"With a great deal of pleasure," For he danced like a perfect delight. So in waltzing and polking we sported, Till supper sent forth its perfume, And I went down to table, escorted By "the handsomest man in the room" Yes, I went down to table, escorted By "the handsomest man in the room." I thought 'twas a nice situation, So snugly together we sat, And in hopes of a pleasant flirtation, I tried to engage him in chat. But, to talk of himself never backward, He strove modest airs to assume, For he told me, he felt very awkward As "the handsomest man in the room" Really, really, one does feel so awkward, As "the handsomest man in the room!" Thought I"This is really too stupid! Your good looks are very well known, But you ought to know, Grenadier Cupid, That I'd much rather hear of my own." Yet should he reform in this one thing (Of which there are hopes, I presume), We still may contrive to make something Of the handsomest man in the room, Yes, we still may contrive to make something Of the handsomest man in the room. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MISERY AND SPLENDOR by ROBERT HASS THE APPLE TREES AT OLEMA by ROBERT HASS DOUBLE SONNET by ANTHONY HECHT CONDITIONS XXI by ESSEX HEMPHILL CALIFORNIA SORROW: MOUNTAIN VIEW by MARY KINZIE SUPERBIA: A TRIUMPH WITH NO TRAIN by MARY KINZIE COUNSEL TO UNREASON by LEONIE ADAMS TWENTY QUESTIONS by DAVID LEHMAN IN AFTER DAYS; RONDEAU by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE OLD SHIPS by JAMES ELROY FLECKER MENAPHON: SEPHESTIA'S [CRADLE] SONG TO HER CHILD by ROBERT GREENE |
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