Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CAMARGO, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CAMARGO, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Carved marble face, enraptured secret smile
Last Line: Knowing the soul is born in sensual strife.
Subject(s): Ballet; Camargo, Marie Anne De (1710-70); Dancing & Dancers; Statues


Carved marble face, enraptured secret smile,
In the cool foyer, silent and alone,
Outside the opera's passion-laden zone,
Unguarded yet untouched by what is vile;
Camargo, dancer, mistress of each wile
That pleased a vicious court, was thy breast stone,
When arms of laughing youths, wove thee a throne,
Scornful of pleasure who could kings beguile?
Inscrutable, fertile in joy, benign,
Compassionate of lower human need,
With lithe, ecstatic steps engendering life;
Like nature pouring a seductive wine,
Patient with sense, and folly's ignorant greed,
Knowing the soul is born in sensual strife.





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