I met the Bishop on the road
And much said he and I.
‘Those breasts are flat and fallen now,
Those veins must soon be dry;
Live in a heavenly mansion,
Not in some foul sty.’
‘Fair and foul are near of kin,
And fair needs foul,’ I cried.
‘My friends are gone, but that’s a truth
Nor grave nor bed denied,
Learned in bodily lowliness
And in the heart’s pride.
‘A woman can be proud and stiff
When on love intent;
But Love has pitched his mansion in
The place of excrement;
For nothing can be sole or whole
That has not been rent.’
(William Butler Yeats)
More Poetry from William Butler Yeats:
William Butler Yeats Poems based on Topics: Love, Woman, Cry, Friendship, Place, Pride, Truth- A Man Young And Old (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- A Lover's Quarrel Among the Fairies (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- A Deep-Sworn Vow (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- The Lady's First Song (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- Under Saturn (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- Three Songs To The One Burden (William Butler Yeats Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Friendship Poems, Place Poems, Cry Poems, Woman Poems, Truth Poems, Pride PoemsBased on Keywords: lowliness, excrement