Explore "The World's Malicious" by Théophile Gautier on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Ah, little one, the world's malicious! / With mocking smiles thy beauty greeting. / It says that in thy breast capricious / A watch, and not a heart, is beating.
Yet like the sea thy breast is swelling / With all the wild, tumultuous power / A tide of blood sends pulsing, welling, / Beneath thy flesh in life's young hour.
Ah, little one, the world is spiteful! / It says thy vivid eyes are fooling, / And that they have their charm delightful / From faithful, diplomatic schooling.
Yet on thy lashes' shifting curtain / An iridescent tear-drop trembles, / Like dew unbidden and uncertain, / That no well-water's gleam resembles.
Ah, little one, the world reviles thee! / It says thou hast no spirit's favour, / That verse, which seemingly beguiles thee, / Hath unto thee a Sanskrit savour.
Yet to thy crimson lips inviting, / Intelligence's bee of laughter, / At every flash of wit alighting, / Allures and gleams, and lingers after.
Ah, little one, I know the trouble! / Thou lovest me. The world, it guesses. / Leave me, and hear its praises bubble: -- / "_What heart, what spirit, she possesses! "_