Hendecasyllabics by Alfred Lord Tennyson
O you chorus of indolent reviewers, Irresponsible, indolent reviewers, Look, I come to the test, a tiny poem All composed in a metre of Catullus, All in quantity, careful of my motion, Like the skater on ice that hardly bears him, Lest I fall unawares before the people, Waking laughter in indolent reviewers. Should I flounder awhile without a tumble Thro' this metrification of Catullus, They should speak to me not without a welcome, All that chorus of indolent reviewers. Hard, hard, hard it is, only not to tumble, So fantastical is the dainty meter. Wherefore slight me not wholly, nor believe me Too presumptuous, indolent reviewers. O blatant Magazines, regard me rather - Since I blush to belaud myself a moment - As some rare little rose, a piece of inmost Horticultural art, or half-coquette-like Maiden, not to be greeted unbenignly.
-------- From what I gather, Tennyson is sticking it to them! Yeah! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Man's Requirements by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
I Love me Sweet, with all thou art, Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the lightest part, Love me in full being.
II Love me with thine open youth In its frank surrender; With the vowing of thy mouth, With its silence tender.
III Love me with thine azure eyes, Made for earnest grantings; Taking colour from the skies, Can Heaven's truth be wanting?
IV Love me with their lids, that fall Snow-like at first meeting; Love me with thine heart, that all Neighbours then see beating.
V Love me with thine hand stretched out Freely -- open-minded: Love me with thy loitering foot, -- Hearing one behind it.
VI Love me with thy voice, that turns Sudden faint above me; Love me with thy blush that burns When I murmur 'Love me!'
VII Love me with thy thinking soul, Break it to love-sighing; Love me with thy thoughts that roll On through living -- dying.
VIII Love me in thy gorgeous airs, When the world has crowned thee; Love me, kneeling at thy prayers, With the angels round thee.
IX Love me pure, as muses do, Up the woodlands shady: Love me gaily, fast and true, As a winsome lady.
X Through all hopes that keep us brave, Farther off or nigher, Love me for the house and grave, And for something higher.
XI Thus, if thou wilt prove me, Dear, Woman's love no fable, I will love thee -- half a year -- As a man is able.
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