Analysis of The Question to Lisetta



WHAT nymph should I admire or trust,
But Chloe beauteous, Chloe just?
What nymph should I desire to see,
But her who leaves the plain for me?
To whom should I compose the lay,
But her who listens when I play?
To whom in song repeat my cares,
But her who in my sorrow shares?
For whom should I the garland make,
But her who joys the gift to take,
And boasts she wears it for my sake?
In love am I not fully blest?
Lisetta, prithee tell the rest.

Sure Chloe just, and Chloe fair,
Deserves to be your only care;
But, when you and she to-day
Far into the wood did stray,
And I happen'd to pass by,
Which way did you cast your eye?
But, when your cares to her you sing,
You dare not tell her whence they spring:
Does it not more afflict your heart,
That in those cares she bears a part?
When you the flowers for Chloe twine,
Why do you to her garland join
The meanest bud that falls from mine?
Simplest of swains! the world may see
Whom Chloe loves, and who loves me.


Scheme AABBCCDDEEEFF GGCCHHIIJJKXKBB
Poetic Form
Metre 11110111 1101101 111101011 10110111 11110101 10110111 11010111 10101101 11110101 10110111 01111111 01111101 11101 11010101 01111101 1110111 1010111 0110111 1111111 11111011 11110111 11110111 10111101 110101101 11110101 01011111 10110111 11010111
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 986
Words 197
Sentences 13
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 13, 15
Lines Amount 28
Letters per line (avg) 26
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 368
Words per stanza (avg) 97
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

59 sec read
67

Matthew Prior

Matthew Prior was an English poet and diplomat. more…

All Matthew Prior poems | Matthew Prior Books

0 fans

Discuss this Matthew Prior poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Question to Lisetta" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/27451/the-question-to-lisetta>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    May 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    25
    days
    9
    hours
    22
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Who wrote the poem ״Invictus״?
    A Sylvia Plath
    B Thomas Hardy
    C William Ernest Henley
    D Oscar Wilde