A Mien to move a Queen –

A Mien to move a Queen – 

Half Child – Half Heroine – 

An Orleans in the Eye

That puts its manner by

For humbler Company

When none are near

Even a Tear – 

Its frequent Visitor – 

A Bonnet like a Duke – 

And yet a Wren's Peruke

Were not so shy

Of Goer by – 

And Hands – so slight,

They would elate a Sprite

With merriment – 

A Voice that alters – Low

And on the Ear can go

Like Let of Snow – 

Or shift supreme – 

As tone of Realm

On Subjects Diadem – 

Too small – to fear – 

Too distant – to endear – 

And so Men Compromise –

And just – revere –

                                                            F254 (1861)  283

The proud Duke of Orleans
and his "bonnet" 

This sprightly poem celebrates a woman of many faces and moods. She can adopt an appearance and manner that would “move a Queen,” behave with the noble pride of the Duke of Orleans – and with his “Bonnet” or crown as well. On the other hand, she is “Half Child” and is just as easy among common folk as she is among the gentry. She can be shyer about her appearance than the wren with it’s humble peruke, or wig. Her hands are so tiny that a fairy would laugh at them.

            We are also told that this quixotic creature cries when alone – and frequently, too.

            Her voice is supple: she can be low and musically hushed as a snowfall or else as bold and strong as a ruler speaking on royal matters to his people. She is “Too small – to fear” yet too remote, “Too distant – to endear” herself to people. She is stuck in some odd place: people neither fear her nor have warm affection for her. Instead she is revered – which is a distant sort of admiring respect.

          Who is this person? Could it be one of Dickinson’s friends? Could it be Dickinson herself? We know she considered herself humble and small. We also know that she harbored ideas about her inner royalty and divine gift of poetry.

            I think she is writing a poem about herself, mainly because of the very light tone. The rhymes border on the humorous: Queen with Heroine; Tear with Visitor; Duke with Peruke. The images are lightly cast as well: Heroine, Duke, Wren, Child. It’s a rather charming portrait, no matter who the subject is. I don’t think the poetry is worth studying except for the potential insight into the poet’s self image.