A Man Young And Old: I. First Love Poem by William Butler Yeats

A Man Young And Old: I. First Love

Rating: 2.9


Though nurtured like the sailing moon
In beauty's murderous brood,
She walked awhile and blushed awhile
And on my pathway stood
Until I thought her body bore
A heart of flesh and blood.

But since I laid a hand thereon
And found a heart of stone
I have attempted many things
And not a thing is done,
For every hand is lunatic
That travels on the moon.

She smiled and that transfigured me
And left me but a lout,
Maundering here, and maundering there,
Emptier of thought
Than the heavenly circuit of its stars
When the moon sails out.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ruby Root 10 July 2006

This was interesting he was not very lucky with his love. He is a writer with refinement and is cultivating. Excellent write.

2 0 Reply
William F. Dougherty 07 July 2017

Willy's slant rhymes are artfully doe.

0 0 Reply
Byron Barsamian 30 July 2013

fickle and unthoughtful return of love. Proves that love is often unrequited.

3 1 Reply
Andrew Hoellering 15 December 2009

After a magical opening, Yeats describes La Belle Dame sans Merci who soaks up affection, offering nothing in return. The moon image is carried throughout the poem, and it works because it reflects the light of the sun. 'I have attempted many things/And not a thing is done' is a perfect expression of the stunning effect that love can have (I speak from experience!)

6 1 Reply
Mel Vincent Basconcillo 30 April 2009

this is truly a classic!

3 0 Reply
Faten Mohamad 28 August 2007

In fact it is a very wonderful poem that is full of many different feeling.by describing the woman who love.

2 1 Reply
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William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats

County Dublin / Ireland
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