The Ballade Of The Mistletoe Bough

Read 'The Ballade Of The Mistletoe Bough' by 'Ellis Parker Butler' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Ballade Of The Mistletoe Bough by Ellis Parker Butler

 I am standing under the mistletoe,
 And I smile, but no answering smile replies
For her haughty glance bids me plainly know
 That not for me is the thing I prize;
Instead, from her coldly scornful eyes,
 Indifference looks on my barefaced guile;
She knows, of course, what my act implies—
 But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

I stand here, eager, and beam and glow,
 And she only looks a refined surprise
As clear and crisp and as cold as snow,
 And as—Stop! I will never criticise!
I know what her cold glance signifies;
 But I’ll stand just here as I am awhile
Till a smile to my pleading look replies—
 But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

Just look at those lips, now! I claim they show
 A spirit unmeet under Christmas skies;
I claim that such lips on such maidens owe
 A—something—the custom justifies;
I claim that the mistletoe rule applies
 To her as well as the rank and file;
We should meet these things in a cheerful guise—
 But look at those lips! Do they hint a smile?

ENVOY

These customs of Christmas may shock the wise,
 And mistletoe boughs may be out of style,
And a kiss be a thing that all maids despise—
 But look at those lips, do! They hint a smile!

Form: Ballade

♡Like0

Share Comments