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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  728. Misconceptions

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Robert Browning. 1812–1889

728. Misconceptions

    THIS is a spray the Bird clung to, 
      Making it blossom with pleasure, 
    Ere the high tree-top she sprung to, 
      Fit for her nest and her treasure. 
      O, what a hope beyond measure         5
Was the poor spray’s, which the flying feet hung to,— 
So to be singled out, built in, and sung to! 
 
    This is a heart the Queen leant on, 
      Thrill’d in a minute erratic, 
    Ere the true bosom she bent on,  10
      Meet for love’s regal dalmatic. 
      O, what a fancy ecstatic 
Was the poor heart’s, ere the wanderer went on— 
Love to be saved for it, proffer’d to, spent on!