Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Permissions
- Introduction: ‘Slow Tide on Tide of History’: Poetry by Women in Ireland, 1870–1970
- A Note on the Texts
- Elizabeth Varian (1821–1851–1896)
- Emily Hickey (1845–1881–1924)
- A Rose
- Restitution
- A Gift
- To a Master in Paradise
- Why, If All Poets Crown Their Loves With Verse
- In a Swiss Wood
- To the Czar Nicholas II
- A Choice
- Ox-Eyed Daisies
- Aftermath
- Katharine Tynan (1858–1885–1931)
- Dora Sigerson Shorter (1866–1893–1918)
- Eva Gore-Booth (1870–1898–1926)
- Emily Lawless (1845–1902–1913)
- Susan L. Mitchell (1866–1906–1926)
- Alice Milligan (1866–1908–1953)
- Winifred M. Letts (1881–1913–1972)
- Eileen Shanahan (1901–[1921]–1979)
- Mary Devenport O'Neill (1879–1929–1967)
- Blanaid Salkeld (1880–1933–1959)
- Sheila Wingfield (1906–1938–1992)
- Freda Laughton (1907–1945–?)
- Rhoda Coghill 1903–1948–2000
- Appendix 1: Irish Women Poets 1870–1970
- Appendix 2: Chronology
- Select Bibliography
- Index of Titles and First Lines
A Rose
from Emily Hickey (1845–1881–1924)
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Permissions
- Introduction: ‘Slow Tide on Tide of History’: Poetry by Women in Ireland, 1870–1970
- A Note on the Texts
- Elizabeth Varian (1821–1851–1896)
- Emily Hickey (1845–1881–1924)
- A Rose
- Restitution
- A Gift
- To a Master in Paradise
- Why, If All Poets Crown Their Loves With Verse
- In a Swiss Wood
- To the Czar Nicholas II
- A Choice
- Ox-Eyed Daisies
- Aftermath
- Katharine Tynan (1858–1885–1931)
- Dora Sigerson Shorter (1866–1893–1918)
- Eva Gore-Booth (1870–1898–1926)
- Emily Lawless (1845–1902–1913)
- Susan L. Mitchell (1866–1906–1926)
- Alice Milligan (1866–1908–1953)
- Winifred M. Letts (1881–1913–1972)
- Eileen Shanahan (1901–[1921]–1979)
- Mary Devenport O'Neill (1879–1929–1967)
- Blanaid Salkeld (1880–1933–1959)
- Sheila Wingfield (1906–1938–1992)
- Freda Laughton (1907–1945–?)
- Rhoda Coghill 1903–1948–2000
- Appendix 1: Irish Women Poets 1870–1970
- Appendix 2: Chronology
- Select Bibliography
- Index of Titles and First Lines
Summary
The sweetest rose it was, the loveliest
He could in all his garden find:
He brought it, saying, ‘Darling, leave your quest
Of knowledge for a little while, and rest
In sweet belief that Nature teaches best.’
Well did he speak for, blind
To deep delight that Nature gives, I was
Unquiet–soul'd a seeker for the cause
Of many a thing and, with cold eyes,
I sought to read close–folden mysteries,
Forgetting Love, not Knowledge, maketh wise.
I took his rose and laid it to my mouth.
For one sweet hour I was a girl again,
Forgot my theories form'd at cost and pain,
And all I had gone through for knowledge’ sake.
The soul of Eden fragrancy divine
Enter'd this soul of mine
And quencht its desperate drouth.
It was because I took when Love said ‘Take.’
My very brow grew smooth
For drops of spray tost from the Fount of Youth.
But woe is me!
I could not let this light and beauty be!
I pull'd the petals of my rose apart,
With fingers most unkindly tore aside
The crimson veil that veil'd its golden heart.
I saw the gold, but ah! the flower died.
And, all unwomanly, in pride,
‘Away with ignorance!’ I cried,
‘My flow'rs shall all be knowledge–bringers!
To what availeth joy unless one knows
Its why and wherefore?’
But my lover sigh'd,
‘Ah, lady, you have kill'd my rose!’
And his true eyes with unshed tears grew dim,
Because the voice that had been unto him
Sweetest among the voices of the singers,
On God's good world flung discord's bitter wrong
Instead of sweetest song.
And never now a word of love he speaks,
But talks of systems and of rules and laws,
And of effect and cause,
As learned men talk unto learned men—
And my heart inly breaks,
For oh! to be a woman once again!
So, cruel hand which could such joyaunce slay,
Lay down your pen for aye,
For you will never write those deep–ton'd songs
Of Love and Truth, to live on human tongues,
That human hearts may beat more quick and pure.
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- Information
- Poetry by Women in IrelandA Critical Anthology 1870–1970, pp. 71 - 72Publisher: Liverpool University PressPrint publication year: 2012