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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A PROUD KINSWOMAN by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE

Poet Analysis

First Line: FAIR MAID, HAD I NOT HEARD THY BABY CRIES
Last Line: OLD TIMES UNQUEEN THEE, AND OLD LOVES ENDEAR THEE.

FAIR maid, had I not heard thy baby cries,
Nor seen thy girlish sweet vicissitude,
Thy mazy motions, striving to elude,
Yet wooing still a parent's watchful eyes,--
Thy humours, many as the opal's dyes,
And lovely all; methinks thy scornful mood
And bearing high of stately womanhood,
Thy brow where Beauty sits to tyrannize
O'er humble love, had made me sadly fear thee;
For never sure was seen a Royal Bride,
Whose gentleness gave grace to so much pride.
My very thoughts would tremble to be near thee:
But when I see thee at thy father's side,
Old times unqueen thee, and old loves endear thee.



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