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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAMARGO by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT

First Line: CARVED MARBLE FACE, ENRAPTURED SECRET SMILE
Last Line: KNOWING THE SOUL IS BORN IN SENSUAL STRIFE.
Subject(s): BALLET; CAMARGO, MARIE ANNE DE (1710-70); DANCING & DANCERS; STATUES;

Carved marble face, enraptured secret smile,
In the cool foyer, silent and alone,
Outside the opera's passion-laden zone,
Unguarded yet untouched by what is vile;
Camargo, dancer, mistress of each wile
That pleased a vicious court, was thy breast stone,
When arms of laughing youths, wove thee a throne,
Scornful of pleasure who could kings beguile?
Inscrutable, fertile in joy, benign,
Compassionate of lower human need,
With lithe, ecstatic steps engendering life;
Like nature pouring a seductive wine,
Patient with sense, and folly's ignorant greed,
Knowing the soul is born in sensual strife.



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