The Lady and the Dame
The poem explores the contrast between two women: a lady and a dame. The lady is portrayed as beautiful, elegant, and refined, with a gentle touch and a loving heart. In contrast, the dame is depicted as coarse, rough, and unrefined, with a harsh voice and a bitter spirit.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Fantasy · 477 words
First lines
So thou hast the art, good dame, thou swearest, To keep Time's perishing touch at bay From the roseate splendour of the cheek so tender, And the silver threads from the gold away; And the tell-tale years that have hurried by us Shall tiptoe back, and, with kind good-will, They shall take their traces from off our faces, If we will trust to thy magic skill.
Thou speakest fairly; but if I listen And buy thy secret and prove its truth, Hast thou the potion and magic lotion To give me also the _heart_ of youth? With the cheek of rose and the eye of beauty, And the lustrous locks of life's lost prime, Wilt thou bring thronging each hope and longing That made the glory of that dead Time?
What this Textopian page supports
The Lady and the Dame is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Fantasy, Romantic, Reflective
- Length: 477 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lady and the Dame by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and rhyme.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep questions about time, youth, and the nature of happiness.
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements, such as potions and the reversal of time's effects.
- Romantic — There is a focus on beauty, youth, and emotional longing.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Classic · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century · Women Authors · Love Story · Social Class · Marriage · Infidelity · Adultery