Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ISABEL, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I do not love thee, isabel, and yet thou art most fair! Last Line: Or lean upon a shadow as think of loving thee. | ||||||||
I DO not love thee, Isabel, and yet thou art most fair! I know the tempting of thy lips, the witchcraft of thy hair, The winsome smile that might beguile the shy bird from his tree; But from their spell I know so well, I shake my manhood free. I might have loved thee, Isabel; I know I should if aught Of all thy words and ways had told of one unselfish thought; If through the cloud of fashion, the pictured veil of art, One casual flash had broken warm, earnest from the heart. But words are idle, Isabel, and if I praise or blame, Or cheer or warn, it matters not; thy life will be the same; Still free to use, and still abuse, unmindful of the harm, The fatal gift of beauty, the power to choose and charm. Then go thy way, fair Isabel, nor heed that from thy train A doubtful follower falls away, enough will still remain. But what the long-rebuking years may bring to them or thee No prophet and no prophet's son am I to guess or see. I do not love thee, Isabel; I would as soon put on A crown of slender frost-work beneath the heated sun, Or chase the winds of summer, or trust the sleeping sea, Or lean upon a shadow as think of loving thee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN AUTOGRAPH (1) by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ASTRAEA by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER AT LAST by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER AT PORT ROYAL by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BARBARA FRIETCHIE [SEPTEMBER 13, 1862] by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BARCLAY OF URY by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BENEDICITE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BROWN OF OSSAWATOMIE [DECEMBER 2, 1859] by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER BURNS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER CASSANDRA SOUTHWICK; 1658 by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |
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