A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe
Analysis
This work titled "A Valentine" by Edgar Allan Poe is known as an acrostic poem. To read the message read the first letter of the first line, second of the second line and so one. The message states "Frances Sargent Osgood", who was a friend of Poe's while working for the Broadway Journal.
Like most acrostic poems, this writing is made up of only one stanza and spells a phrase that is used to help convey the true meaning of the work. Each odd line rhymes in twos and the even lines sometimes rhyme or are imperfect rhymes.
Poem
A Valentine For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes, Brightly expressive as the twins of Leda, Shall find her own sweet name, that nestling lies Upon the page, enwrapped from every reader. Search narrowly the lines!- they hold a treasure Divine- a talisman- an amulet That must be worn at heart. Search well the measure- The words- the syllables! Do not forget The trivialest point, or you may lose your labor And yet there is in this no Gordian knot Which one might not undo without a sabre, If one could merely comprehend the plot. Enwritten upon the leaf where now are peering Eyes scintillating soul, there lie perdus Three eloquent words oft uttered in the hearing Of poets, by poets- as the name is a poet's, too, Its letters, although naturally lying Like the knight Pinto- Mendez Ferdinando- Still form a synonym for Truth- Cease trying! You will not read the ridle, though you do the best you can do. Written in 1846.
Next: Alone
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Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
Romanticism, 19th Century
Subjects
Friendship, Acrostic
Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
Romanticism, 19th Century
Subjects
Friendship, Acrostic