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1865–1939

II

William Butler Yeats

A doll in the doll-maker's house Looks at the cradle and balls: ‘ That is an insult to us.’ But the oldest of all the dolls

Who had seen, being kept for show, Generations of his sort, Out-screams the whole shelf:‘ Although There's not a man can report

Evil of this place, The man and the woman bring Hither to our disgrace, A noisy and filthy thing.’

Hearing him groan and stretch The doll-maker's wife is aware Her husband has heard the wretch, And crouched by the arm of his chair,

She murmurs into his ear, Head upon shoulder leant: ‘ My dear, my dear, oh dear, It was an accident.’

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II · William Butler Yeats · Poetry Cove