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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MADMAN, by ANONYMOUS First Line: His eye was stern and wild - his cheek was pale and cold as clay Last Line: "and ere I could arrest his hands, he had -- begun to shave!" Subject(s): Insanity;shaving; Madness;mental Illness | |||
HIS eye was stern and wild -- his cheek was pale and cold as clay; Upon his tightened lip a smile of fearful meaning lay. He mused awhile -- but not in doubt -- no trace of doubt was there; It was the steady solemn pause of resolute despair. Once more he looked upon the scroll -- once more its words he read -- Then calmly, with unflinching hand, its folds before him spread. I saw him bare his throat, and seize the blue-cold gleaming steel, And grimly try the tempered edge he was so soon to feel! A sickness crept upon my heart, and dizzy swam my head -- I could not stir -- I could not cry -- I felt benumbed and dead; Black icy horrors struck me dumb, and froze my senses o'er; I closed my eyes in utter fear, and strove to think no more. . . . . . . . . . Again I looked: a fearful change across his face had passed -- He seemed to rave -- on cheek and lip a flaky foam was cast; He raised on high the glittering blade -- then first I found a tongue -- "Hold, madman! stay thy frantic deed!" I cried, and forth I sprung; He heard me, but he heeded not; one glance around he gave, And ere I could arrest his hands, he had -- begun to shave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PARENTS OF PSYCHOTIC CHILDREN by MARVIN BELL VISITS TO ST. ELIZABETHS by ELIZABETH BISHOP FOR THE MAD by LUCILLE CLIFTON STONEHENGE by ALBERT GOLDBARTH DAY ROOM: ST. ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL by MICHAEL S. HARPER SEELE IN RAUM by RANDALL JARRELL TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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