I know her by her angry air, Her brightblack eyes, her…
““I know her by her angry air, Her brightblack eyes, her brightblack hair, Her rapid laughters wild and shrill, As laughter of the woodpecker From the bosom of a hill. 'Tis Kate--she sayeth what she will; For Kate hath an unbridled tongue, Clear as the twanging of a harp. Her heart is like a throbbing star. Kate hath a spirit ever strung Like a new bow, and bright and sharp As edges of the scymetar. Whence shall she take a fitting mate? For Kate no common love will feel; My woman-soldier, gallant Kate, As pure and true as blades of steel. Kate saith "the world is void of might". Kate saith "the men are gilded flies". Kate snaps her fingers at my vows; Kate will not hear of lover's sighs. I would I were an armèd knight, Far famed for wellwon enterprise, And wearing on my swarthy brows The garland of new-wreathed emprise: For in a moment I would pierce The blackest files of clanging fight, And strongly strike to left and right, In dreaming of my lady's eyes. Oh! Kate loves well the bold and fierce; But none are bold enough for Kate, She cannot find a fitting mate.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A vivid portrait of a fierce, independent woman whose bold spirit resists conventional love and seeks a match equal to her intensity.
In simple terms: A strong, untamed woman defies typical romance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect fierce individuality.
Themes
independence
passion
gender roles
identity
love
Mood
defiant
intense
poetic
Type
character portrait
literary
When to use this quote
- courtship
- personal freedom
- creative expression
- social expectations
Key Concepts
Romanticism
feminist critique
character study
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal intensity with relational harmony?
- What does “fitting mate” truly mean?
A Different Perspective
Her fierce nature may alienate potential partners, limiting intimacy.