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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


REMEMBRANCE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: I SHALL LOOK BACK, WHEN ON THE MAIN
Last Line: "OH, SUCH A MAID I KNEW!"
Subject(s): MEMORY;

I SHALL look back, when on the main, --
Back to my native isle,
And almost think I hear again
Thy voice, and view thy smile.

But many days may pass away
Ere I again shall see
Amid the young, the fair, the gay, --
One who resembles thee.

Yet when the pensive thought shall dwell
On some ideal maid,
Whom fancy's pencil pictured well,
And touch'd with softest shade:

The imaged form I shall survey,
And, pausing at the view,
Recall thy gentle smile, and say,
"Oh, such a maid I knew!"



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