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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HER SHADOW by AUBREY THOMAS DE VERE

First Line: BENDING BETWEEN ME AND THE TAPER

BENDING between me and the taper
While o'er the harp her white hands strayed,
The shadows of her waving tresses
Above my hand were gently swayed .
With every graceful movement waving,
I marked their undulating swell:
I watched them while they met and parted,
Curled close or widened, rose or fell.
I laughed in triumph and in pleasure,
So strange the sport, so undesigned!
Her Mother turned, and asked me gravely,
What thought was passing through my mind?
'Tis Love that blinds the eyes of Mothers!
'Tis Love that makes the young Maids fair!
She touched my hand; my rings she counted
Yet never felt the Shadows there!
Keep, gamesome Love, beloved Infant!
Keep ever thus all Mothers blind:
And make thy dedicated Virgins
In substance as in shadow kind \.




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