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George Crabbe: Poems, Volume 3 (of 3) cover

George Crabbe: Poems, Volume 3 (of 3)

Chapter 101: LA FEMME JALOUSE (TENIERS).
By George Crabbe
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British LiteraturePoetry

About This Book

The volume gathers later narrative and miscellaneous poems, presenting a sequence of Tales of the Hall followed by posthumous pieces and shorter lyrics. An editor’s preface and textual notes outline manuscript sources and variant readings. The poems offer realistic portraits of rural and domestic life, closely observed scenes, and moral reflection on passions such as pride, grief, revenge, and belated refinement, delivered through narrative sketches and reflective commentary. Tone alternates between anecdotal storytelling, satirical observation, and sober moralizing.

LA FEMME JALOUSE (TENIERS).

(Nov. 1826.)
Who shall describe what Pains they share,
Whom Doubts and jealous Terrors prove;
Who in their every Look declare
How much they feel, how much they love!
Thy Pencil here, fair Artist, shews
One Form the Tyrant-Passion wears;
But sure thy happier Bosom knows
No jealous Pangs, no trying Fears!
But, [though] thy Work demands our Praise,
Yet why thine own the Subject make? 10 
Thou may’st indeed the Spirit raise,
But not thyself th’ Infection take.
Those Looks so pure, so bright, so clear,
Those ruby Lips and Eyes of Light,
Will many an anxious Hope and Fear
And many a jealous Pang excite.
Those Pangs which none can long conceal,
Disguise in Smiles or rule by Laws—
Some cause Them, but They cannot feel; 20 
Some feel Them, but they cannot cause.
Thou from such cruel Pains art free,
By which the Heart of Man is tried;
For that which may be won by thee
[With] thee will, while it beats, abide.