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The ladies of St. James's! They're painted to the eyes…

“The ladies of St. James's! They're painted to the eyes; Their white is stays for ever, Their red it never dies; But Phyllida, my Phillida! Her colour comes and goes; It trembles to a lily,-- It wavers to a rose.” quote by Henry Austin Dobson
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“The ladies of St. James's! They're painted to the eyes; Their white is stays for ever, Their red it never dies; But Phyllida, my Phillida! Her colour comes and goes; It trembles to a lily,-- It wavers to a rose.”

Henry Austin Dobson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem contrasts fleeting beauty with enduring qualities, using floral metaphors.

In simple terms: Beauty fades, but some colors endure.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate lasting qualities.

Themes

beauty impermanence contrast

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

poetic descriptive

When to use this quote

  • art criticism
  • personal reflection
  • fashion trends

Key Concepts

metaphor transience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What qualities do you consider timeless?
  • How do you balance change and constancy?
A Different Perspective

May idealize permanence unrealistically.

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