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Home  »  The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse  »  Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) (1787–1874)

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

Hermione

Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) (1787–1874)

THOU hast beauty bright and fair,

Manner noble, aspect free,

Eyes that are untouch’d by care;

What then do we ask from thee?

Hermione, Hermione!

Thou hast reason quick and strong,

Wit that envious men admire,

And a voice, itself a song!

What then can we still desire?

Hermione, Hermione!

Something thou dost want, O queen!

(As the gold doth ask alloy,)

Tears—amidst thy laughter seen,

Pity—mingling with thy joy.

This is all we ask, from thee,

Hermione, Hermione!