Tease
Tease
Original Text
D. H. Lawrence, Amores: Poems (London: Duckworth, [1921]): 1-3. PR 6023 A93A7 Robarts Library. Roberts A9.
3You shall enter as you please,
4 As you please shall go again.
5When I hear you jingling through
6 All the chambers of my soul,
7How I sit and laugh at you
9Jealous of the smallest cover,
10 Angry at the simplest door;
11Well, you anxious, inquisitive lover,
12 Are you pleased with what's in store?
13You have fingered all my treasures,
14 Have you not, most curiously,
15Handled all my tools and measures
16 And masculine machinery?
17Over every single beauty
18 You have had your little rapture;
19You have slain, as was your duty,
20 Every sin-mouse you could capture.
21Still you are not satisfied,
22 Still you tremble faint reproach;
23Challenge me I keep aside
24 Secrets that you may not broach.
25Maybe yes, and maybe no,
26 Maybe there are secret places,
27Altars barbarous below,
28 Elsewhere halls of high disgraces.
29Maybe yes, and maybe no,
30 You may have it as you please,
32 Suppliant on your curious knees.
Notes
1] Gilbert says that Lawrence is here describing Louie Burrows, his fiancée (31). Back to Line
2] châtelaine: female owner or keeper of a house or castle. Back to Line
8] vain: revised by Lawrence to read "close" in the 1928 Collected Poems. Back to Line
31] The last two lines are revised by Lawrence in the 1928 Collected Poems as follows:
Since you are so keen to knowOther minor changes in punctuation also appear. Back to Line
Everything, Miss Ill-at-ease!
Publication Start Year
1914
Publication Notes
As "Teasing," Poetry and Drama (Dec. 1914). Roberts C36
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2000.
Rhyme