I SAY where--in what region be Flora, that fair Roman dame, Hipparchia where, and Thais, she Who doth kindred beauty claim? Echo where? who back the same Voice from lake and river throws, Lovely beyond human frame: But--where are the last year's snows? II Where is the learned Heloise, For whom Abelard was fain As a monk to end his days? Such the meed his love did gain. In like way, where is the Queen Who Buridan in sack did close, And had him tossed into the Seine? But--where are the last year's snows? III Queen Blanche, white as lily is, Who used to sing with siren strain; Bertha, Alice, Beatrice, Ermengarde who held the Maine, Joan, blessed maiden of Lorraine, At Rouen burnt by English foes, Where are they, O Virgin Queen? But--where are the last year's snows? IV Prince, nor in a week or year Bid me where they be disclose, Lest you still this burden hear, But--where are the last year's snows? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVER PLEADS WITH HIS FRIENDS FOR OLD FRIENDS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS WINTER NIGHT by CH'IEN WEN OF LIANG A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 28. THE WELSH MARCHES by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN VERSES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM OF A LADY'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK by THOMAS MOORE THE NEW TIMON AND THE POETS by ALFRED TENNYSON THE ANCIENTS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |