PoemHow Thought You That This Thing Could Captivate?
Author / PoetAlfred Lord Tennyson
TagsArt, Captive, Devil

How thought you that this thing could captivate?
What are those graces that could make her dear,
Who is not worth the notice of a sneer,
To rouse the vapid devil of her hate?
A speech conventional, so void of weight,
That after it has buzzed about one’s ear,
‘Twere rich refreshment for a week to hear
The dentist babble or the barber prate;

A hand displayed with many a little art;
An eye that glances on her neighbor’s dress;
A foot too often shown for my regard;
An angel’s form — a waiting-woman’s heart;
A perfect-featured face, expressionless,
Insipid, as the Queen upon a card.

Alfred Lord Tennyson
Alfred Lord Tennyson
5 Aug 1809 - 6 Oct 1892
Region: British, Northern Europe
Period: Romantic

more poems by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Poem NameTopic
Break, break, breakBreak, Love, Sea
After-ThoughtDie, Eye
A FarewellFarewell, Loss, Sea
Come down, O MaidFall, Height, Hill
ClaribelAgony, Alone, Die
By an EvolutionistEvolution, lord, Soul
Early SpringDivine, Heaven, Love
Hark! The Dogs Howl!Emotional, Grief, Loss
Home They Brought Her Warrior DeadDead, Foe, Tear
Idylls of the King—Book 12: The Passing Of ArthurDoubt, King, Loss

all poems by Alfred Lord Tennyson

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