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The Virginity

Topics: classic

Try as he will, no man breaks wholly loose From his first love, no matter who she be. Oh, was there ever sailor free to choose, That didn't settle somewhere near the sea? Myself, it don't excite me nor amuse To watch a pack o' shipping on the sea; But I can understand my neighbour's views From certain things which have occured to me. Men must keep touch with things they used to use To earn their living, even when they are free; And so come back upon the least excuse, Same as the sailor settled near the sea. He knows he's never going on no cruise, He knows he's done and finished with the sea; And yet he likes to feel she's there to use, If he should ask her, as she used to be. Even though she cost him all he had to lose, Even though she made him sick to hear or see, Still, what she left of him will mostly choose Her skirts to sit by. How comes such to be? Parsons in pulpits, tax-payers in pews, Kings on your thrones, you know as well as me, We've only one virginity to lose, And where we lost it there our hearts will be!

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"Try as he will, no man breaks wholly loose..."

"The Virginity" is a quintessential example of Rudyard Kipling's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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