Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE TWO by HUGO VON HOFMANNSTHAL

First Line: HER HAND A GOBLET BORE FOR HIM
Last Line: AND ON THE GROUND THE DARK WINE ROLLED.

HER hand a goblet bore for him—
Her chin and mouth curved like its rim—
So gentle yet so sure her tread,
No drop was from the goblet shed.

So gentle and so firm his hand:
A tameless steed allured his daring
And with a gesture swift, uncaring
He forced its trembling form to stand.

But when at last from her pale hand
He was to take the cup of gold,
Too heavy for them both it was:
For they so trembled like the grass,
That neither hand the other found
And on the ground the dark wine rolled.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net