GIVE me a mask, I'll join the masquerade As country clown, so that the rabble rout Who in their proud disguises strut about May not suppose me one of their vile trade. Give me low manners, words on purpose made To show vulgarity beyond all doubt; All sparks of spirit I'll with care put out Wherewith dull fools coquet in accents staid. So will I dance then at the great mask'd ball, By German knights, monks, kings surrounded too, By Harlequin saluted, known to few. With wooden swords they'll strike me, one and all. That is the joke. For if I show my face, The rascals will be silenced in disgrace. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MIDNIGHT SKATERS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN SONG, FR. ERNEST MALTRAVERS by EDWARD GEORGE EARLE LYTTON BULWER-LYTTON ROUEN; 26 APRIL - 25 MAY 1915 by MAY WEDDERBURN CANNAN SONNET: WRITTEN ON THE DAY THAT MR. LEIGH HUNT LEFT PRISON by JOHN KEATS UNDERWOODS: BOOK 1: 5. THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SONNET OF FISHES by GEORGE BARKER PSALM 87 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |