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The Mask by William Butler Yeats

Analysis

"The Mask" is a poem written by William Butler Yeats. This poem is about a woman wearing a mask of "burning gold" and "emerald eyes". These two lines mean that she is hiding behind something and not showing her true feelings. Perhaps she is wealthy. He goes on to say that if she takes off the mask that perhaps the two of them will find out that they are in love with each other.

This poem is written in three stanzas with five lines in each. The rhyme scheme is ABABA. Each stanza is written with three lines of eight syllables and two lines with around four or five. The eight syllable lines are written in iambic-tetrameter.

Poem

The Mask
By 

"PUT off that mask of burning gold
With emerald eyes."
"O no, my dear, you make so bold
To find if hearts be wild and wise,
And yet not cold."

"I would but find what's there to find,
Love or deceit."
"It was the mask engaged your mind,
And after set your heart to beat,
Not what's behind."

"But lest you are my enemy,
I must enquire."
"O no, my dear, let all that be;
What matter, so there is but fire
In you, in me?"

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