| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Leonardo’s “Monna Lisa” |
| | | Edward Dowden (1843–1913) |
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| MAKE thyself known, Sibyl, or let despair | |
| Of knowing thee be absolute: I wait | |
| Hour-long and waste a soul. What word of fate | |
| Hides ’twixt the lips which smile and still forbear? | |
| Secret perfection! Mystery too fair! | 5 |
| Tangle the sense no more, lest I should hate | |
| The delicate tyranny, the inviolate | |
| Poise of thy folded hands, the fallen hair. | |
| Nay, nay,—I wrong thee with rough words; still be | |
| Serene, victorious, inaccessible; | 10 |
| Still smile but speak not; lightest irony | |
| Lurk ever’ neath thy eyelids’ shadow; still | |
| O’ertop our knowledge; Sphinx of Italy, | |
| Allure us and reject us at thy will! | |
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