| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1641. Retort |
| | | By Paul Laurence Dunbar |
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| “THOU art a fool,” said my head to my heart, | |
| “Indeed, the greatest of fools thou art, | |
| To be led astray by the trick of a tress, | |
| By a smiling face or a ribbon smart;” | |
| And my heart was in sore distress. | 5 |
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| Then Phyllis came by, and her face was fair, | |
| The light gleamed soft on her raven hair; | |
| And her lips were blooming a rosy red. | |
| Then my heart spoke out with a right bold air: | |
| “Thou art worse than a fool, O head!” | 10 |
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