W. H. Auden: Selected Poems

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W.H.AUDEN ,Selected Poems7A

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NEW EDITION ':', -'-

Edited by EDWARD MENDELSON

0 VINTAGE BOOKS A Division of Random House New York

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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Auden, Wystan Hugh, 1907-1973. Selected poems.

I.

Mendelson, Edward.

PS3501.U55A17

1979

821'.9'12

78-55719

ISBN 0-394-72506-9 Manufactured in the United States of America 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Book design: Charlotte Staub

Contents Preface

ix

1. Who stands, the crux left of the watershed 2. From the very first coming down

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3. Control of the passes was, he saw, the key

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4. Taller to-day, we remember similar evenings 5. Watch any day his nonchalant pauses, see 6. Will you turn a deaf ear

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4

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7. Sir, no man's enemy, forgiving all

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8. It was Easter as I walked in the public gardens 9. Since you are going to begin to-day

10. Consider this and in our time 11. This lunar beauty

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12. To ask the hard question is simple

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13. Doom is dark and deeper than any sea-dingle 14. What's in your mind, my dove, my coney

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15. "0 where are you going'?" said reader to rider

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16. Though aware of our rank and alert to obey orders 17. a Love, the interest itself in thoughtless Heaven 18. a what is that sound which so thrills the ear

���earing of harvests rotting in the �,,�.,but on the lawn r lie in bed

valleys

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21. A shilling life will give you all the facts 22. Our hunting fathers told the story

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23. Easily, my dear, you move, easily your head 24. The Summer holds: upon its glittering lake 25. Now through night's caressing grip 26. a for doors to be open and an invite with gilded edges

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33 36

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27. Look, stranger, at this island now "

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29. Dear, though the night is gone 30. Casino

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32. "0 who can ever gaze his fill"

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33. Lay your sleeping head, my love

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35. Orpheus

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36. Miss Gee

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37. Wrapped in a yielding air, beside

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