Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TWO WOMEN, by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS Poet's Biography First Line: The shadows lay along broadway Last Line: By man is cursed alway! Variant Title(s): Unseen Spirits;broadway Subject(s): Adversity; Broadway, New York City; New York City - 19th Century | ||||||||
The shadows lay along Broadway, 'T was near the twilight-tide, And slowly there a lady fair Was walking in her pride. Alone walked she; but viewlessly, Walked spirits at her side. Peace charmed the street beneath her feet, And Honor charmed the air; And all astir looked kind on her, And called her good as fair, -- For all God ever gave to her She kept with chary care. She kept with care her beauties rare From lovers warm and true, For her heart was cold to all but gold, And the rich came not to woo, -- But honored well are charms to sell If priests the selling do. Now walking there was one more fair, -- A slight girl, lily-pale; And she had unseen company To make th spirit quail, -- 'Twixt Want and Scorn she walked forlorn, And nothing could avail. No mercy now can clear her brow For this world's peace to pray; For, as love's wild prayer dissolved in air, Her woman's heart gave way! -- But the sin forgiven by Christ in heaven By man is cursed alway! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BRONX, 1818 by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE ODE TO FORTUNE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK MANHATTAN ARMING by WALT WHITMAN FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER CITY LYRICS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS TO THE LADY IN THE CHIMSETTE WITH BLACK BUTTONS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE 'STAY AT HOME'S' PLAINT, 1878 by GEORGE AUGUSTUS BAKER JR. EMPORIUM VERSUS NEW YORK, 1854 by JACOB BIGELOW THE MARCH OF THE REGIMENT, 1861 by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS |
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