Classic and Contemporary Poetry
NOT A CHILD, by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Not a child: I call myself a boy Last Line: Child or boy. Subject(s): Children; Growth; Roundels; Childhood | ||||||||
"Not a child: I call myself a boy," Says my king, with accent stern yet mild, "Not a child." How could reason be so far beguiled, Err so far from sense's safe employ, Stray so wide of truth, or run so wild? Seeing his face bent over book or toy, Child I called him, smiling: but he smiled Back, as one too high for vain annoy -- Not a child. II Not a child? alack the year! What should ail an undefiled Heart, that he would fain appear Not a child? Men, with years and memories piled Each on other, far and near, Fain again would so be styled: Fain would cast off hope and fear, Rest, forget, be reconciled: Why would you so fain be, dear, Not a child? III Child or boy, my darling, which you will, Still your praise finds heart and song employ, Heart and song both yearning toward you still, Child or boy. All joys else might sooner pall or cloy Love than this which inly takes its fill, Dear, of sight of your more perfect joy. Nay, be aught you please, let all fulfill All your pleasure; be your world your toy . Mild or wild we love you, loud or still, Child or boy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE A BALLAD OF DEATH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |
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