Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO HELEN IN A HUFF, by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO HELEN IN A HUFF, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Nay, lady, one frown is enough
Last Line: Nay, lady, smile!
Subject(s): Anger


NAY, lady, one frown is enough
In a life as soon over as this --
And though minutes seem long in a huff,
They're minutes 'tis pity to miss!
The smiles you imprison so lightly
Are reckon'd, like days in eclipse;
And though you may smile again brightly,
You've lost so much light from your lips!
Pray, lady, smile!

The cup that is longest untasted
May be with our bliss running o'er,
And, love when we will, we have wasted
An age in not loving before!
Perchance Cupid's forging a fetter
To tie us together some day,
And, just for the chance, we had better
Be laying up love, I should say!
Nay, lady, smile!





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