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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PENETRATION AND TRUST by GEORGE MEREDITH

Poet Analysis

First Line: SLEEK AS A LIZARD AT ROUND OF A STONE
Last Line: WHEN IT IS NO TYRANT WHO LEAVES ME LONE!
Subject(s): LOVE; TRUST; WAR;

I

SLEEK as a lizard at round of a stone,
The look of her heart slipped out and in.
Sweet on her lord her soft eyes shone,
As innocents clear of a shade of sin.

II

He laid a finger under her chin,
His arm for her girdle at waist was thrown:
Now, what will happen and who will win,
With me in the fight and my lady lone?

III

He clasped her, clasping a shape of stone;
Was fire on her eyes till they let him in.
Her breast to a God of the daybeams shone,
And never a corner for serpent sin.

IV

Tranced she stood, with a chattering chin;
Her shrunken form at his feet was thrown:
At home to the death my lord shall win,
When it is no tyrant who leaves me lone!



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