To the Fair Clorinda

Aphra Behn

1640 to 1689

Poem Image
Track 1

Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.

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Fair lovely Maid, or if that Title be
For sure no Crime with thee we can commit;
For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believes
IMAGIN'D MORE THAN WOMAN
And without Blushes I the Youth persue,
While that may serve to lessen my constraint;
Permit a Name that more Approaches Truth:
Thou tempts us with the Image of the Maid,
Or if we shou'd – thy Form excuses it.
A Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves.
In pity to our Sex sure thou wer't sent,
Too weak, too Feminine for Nobler thee,
That we might Love, and yet be Innocent:
When so much beauteous Woman is in view
While we the noblest Passions do extend
Against thy Charms we struggle but in vain
WHO MADE LOVE TO ME,
The Love to Hermes, Aphrodite the Friend.
While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain.
When e'er the Manly part of thee, wou'd plead
And let me call thee, Lovely Charming Youth.
With thy deluding Form thou giv'st us pain,
Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join'd;
This last will justifie my soft complainte,
    Thou beauteous Wonder of a different kind,