I asked no other thing.
No other was denied.
I offered Being for it;
The mighty merchant smiled.
Brazil? He twirled a button,
Without a glance my way:
“But, madam, is there nothing else
That we can show to-day?”
I asked no other thing
Summary
The poem explores themes of desire, exchange, and unfulfilled longing using a metaphor involving commerce. The narrator presents a simple and earnest request, which is disregarded by a merchant who represents a figure of power and control. Despite the narrator's willingness to offer their entire existence for the granting of their wish, the merchant remains indifferent and preoccupied with trivial matters, dismissing the request without consideration. This interaction highlights the disparity between the narrator's profound longing and the merchant's detached materialism, illustrating a broader commentary on societal values and the nature of desire.Read Online
