| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Misconceptions |
| | | Robert Browning (1812–89) |
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| 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: | |
| Oh, 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! | |
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| This is a heart the queen leant on, | |
| Thrill’d a minute erratic, | |
| Ere the true bosom she bent on, | 10 |
| Meet for love’s regal dalmatic. | |
| Oh, what a fancy ecstatic | |
| Was the poor heart’s, ere the wanderer went on,— | |
| Love to be sav’d for it, proffer’d to, spent on! | |
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