Modern Love XXXI: This Golden Head

George Meredith 1828 (Portsmouth, Hampshire) – 1909 (Box Hill, Surrey)



This golden head has wit in it. I live
Again, and a far higher life, near her.
Some women like a young philosopher;
Perchance because he is diminutive.
For woman's manly god must not exceed
Proportions of the natural nursing size.
Great poets and great sages draw no prize
With women: but the little lap-dog breed,
Who can be hugged, or on a mantel-piece
Perched up for adoration, these obtain
Her homage. And of this we men are vain?
Of this! 'Tis ordered for the world's increase
Small flattery! Yet she has that rare gift
To beauty, Common Sense. I am approved.
It is not half so nice as being loved,
And yet I do prefer it. What's my drift?

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

37 sec read
137

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBCDEEDFGGFHIJH
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 652
Words 122
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 16

George Meredith

George Meredith was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times. more…

All George Meredith poems | George Meredith Books

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