NYMPH of the downward smile, and sidelong glance, In what diviner moments of the day Art thou most lovely? When gone far astray Into the labyrinths of sweet utterance? Or when serenely wand'ring in a trance Of sober thought? Or when starting away, With careless robe, to meet the morning ray, Thou spar'st the flowers in thy mazy dance? Haply 'tis when thy ruby lips part sweetly, And so remain, because thou listenest: But thou to please wert nurtured so completely That I can never tell what mood is best. I shall as soon pronounce which grace more neatly Trips it before Apollo than the rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FIDDLING WOOD by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET MADMAN OF THE SOUTH SIDE by CLARENCE MAJOR THE SEA LOVER by SARA TEASDALE IN MEMORY OF WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE BEDOUIN [LOVE] SONG by BAYARD TAYLOR AN EVENING LULL by WALT WHITMAN TO A GIPSY CHILD BY THE SEA-SHORE by MATTHEW ARNOLD PATTY MORGAN THE MILKMAID'S STORY: 'LOOK AT THE CLOCK!' by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |