Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO - (3), by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO - (3), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Wait, prithee, wait!' this answer lesbia threw
Last Line: She could not rescue, perished in her sight!


"Miss not the occasion: by the forelock take
That subtile Power, the never-halting Time,
Lest a mere moment's putting-off should make
Mischance almost as heavy as a crime."

"WAIT, prithee, wait!" this answer Lesbia threw
Forth to her Dove, and took no further heed;
Her eye was busy, while her fingers flew
Across the harp, with soul-engrossing speed;
But from that bondage when her thoughts were freed
She rose, and toward the close-shut casement drew,
Whence the poor unregarded Favourite, true
To old affections, had been heard to plead
With flapping wing for entrance. What a shriek!
Forced from that voice so lately tuned to a strain
Of harmony! -- a shriek of terror, pain,
And self-reproach! for, from aloft, a Kite
Pounced, -- and the Dove, which from its ruthless beak
She could not rescue, perished in her sight!







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