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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A PROBLEM by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: MY DARLING HAS A MERRY EYE
Last Line: BELIEVE IT -- THOSE WHO CAN.
Subject(s): LOVE;

MY darling has a merry eye,
And voice like silver bells:
How shall I win her, prithee, say, --
By what magic spells?

If I frown, she shakes her head;
If I weep, she smiles:
Time would fail me to recount
All her wilful wiles.

She flouts me so, -- she stings me so, --
Yet will not let me stir, --
In vain I try to pass her by,
My little chestnut bur.

When I yield to every whim,
She straight begins to pout.
Teach me how to read my love,
How to find her out!

For flowers she gives me thistle-blooms, --
Her turtle-doves are crows, --
I am the groaning weather-vane,
And she the wind that blows.

My little love! My teasing love!
Was woman made for man, --
A rose that blossomed from his side?
Believe it -- those who can.



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