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Anonymous Drawing
作者Author  /  Donald  Justice  唐納

Anonymous Drawing

 
 
 
  A delicate young Negro stands 
With the reins of a horse clutched loosely in his hands; 
So delicate, indeed, that we wonder if he can hold the spirited creature 
        beside him 
Until the master shall arrive to ride him. 
Already the animal's nostrils widen with rage or fear. 
But if we imagine him snorting, about to rear, 
This boy, who should know about such things better than we, 
Only stands smiling, passive and ornamental, in a fantastic livery 
Of ruffles and puffed breeches, 
Watching the artist, apparently, as he sketches. 
Meanwhile the petty lord who must have paid 
For the artist's trip up from Perugia, for the horse, for the boy, for 
        everything here, in fact, has been delayed, 
Kept too long by his steward, perhaps, discussing 
Some business concerning the estate, or fussing 
Over the details of his impeccable toilet 
With a manservant whose opinion is that any alteration at all 
        would spoil it. 
However fast he should come hurrying now 
Over this vast greensward, mopping his brow 
Clear of the sweat of the fine Renaissance morning, it would be too late. 
The artist will have had his revenge for being made to wait, 
A revenge not only necessary but right and clever- 
Simply to leave him out of the scene forever.
 
   
The poem is from Night Light (Manufactured in the United States of America First printing February, 1967; secondprintingjuly, 1967; thirdprinting Novemher 1968; Revised edition 1981)
All Rights Reserved. Use with permission by Weslayan University Press, 2002.
   
 
   
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