Lady Probationer

William Ernest Henley 1849 (Gloucester) – 1903 (Woking)



Some three, or five, or seven, and thirty years;
A Roman nose; a dimpling double-chin;
Dark eyes and shy that, ignorant of sin,
Are yet acquainted, it would seem, with tears;
A comely shape; a slim, high-coloured hand,
Graced, rather oddly, with a signet ring;
A bashful air, becoming everything;
A well-bred silence always at command.
Her plain print gown, prim cap, and bright steel chain
Look out of place on her, and I remain
Absorbed in her, as in a pleasant mystery.
Quick, skilful, quiet, soft in speech and touch . . .
'Do you like nursing?' 'Yes, Sir, very much.'
Somehow, I rather think she has a history.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

32 sec read
29

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBCDEEDFFGHHG
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 610
Words 111
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Ernest Henley

William Ernest Henley was an English poet, critic and editor, best remembered for his 1875 poem "Invictus". more…

All William Ernest Henley poems | William Ernest Henley Books

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