Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SINBAD, by JOHN ORLEY ALLEN TATE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SINBAD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I sailed too long over that monstered ocean
Last Line: But the roc . . .
Alternate Author Name(s): Tate, Allen


I sailed too long over that monstered ocean
Ever to grapple with the sinews of an emotion
Like this slave-girl's. If I could wipe the must
From the mildewed jars of devilry, and the rust
Off my lip, the taste of red preserves
Of love would be as honied as one deserves
Who lusted with wormwood and with sickening myrrh,
Buried with a magic wife. May Allah keep her
And other wives from me. But this young slave --
For the Caliph? Well, only her thin mouth to save
My soul I can't forget, nor her slack eyes:
The oasis of age is sand and lies.
She's just a fancy . . . Now the Roc was mad,
As I was saying; trickery, the one weapon I had,
Led me to a blind valley; I clung to its leg
And that undid me, nearly -- yes, I beg
Pardon -- I'll go on -- unity I don't pretend.
Ah, give that beggar sequins without end! . . .
But the Roc . . .





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