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AND YET by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: LET ME FORGET! WHY SHOULD I SEEK TO HOLD
Last Line: AND YET! AND YET!

LET me forget! Why should I seek to hold
Thine image in the mirror of my mind?
For him who can no way to please thee find
To house such tenant were indeed too bold --
Let me forget!

Do I not know the magic of that smile;
The way that wayward color comes and goes,
Fair Lady of the Lily and the Rose,
What time the souls of men thou would'st beguile:
Do I not know?

Thou shalt not reign, proud Queen, in this poor heart;
No rash oath of allegiance will I swear --
Though thou art beautiful beyond compare,
Thine art is nature, and thy nature art --
Thou shalt not reign!

And yet, and yet -- how can I close my door?
It may be thou art weary and acold: --
Come in! Come in! To welcome thee is bold;
But work thy will -- I am thy slave once more --
And yet! And yet!



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