To Margaret, Edgar Allan Poe: Summary, Analysis & Themes
"To Margaret" is a short, possibly unfinished poem written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1827. The poem was never published during his lifetime and exists in manuscript form. Poe's notes for this poem reference several classical works, including Paradise Lost by John Milton, William Shakespeare’s plays, and Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man . The poem critiques the act of writing, particularly the decline from "honourable rhyme" to "nonsense."
"To Margaret" Poem Text by Edgar Allan Poe Who hath seduced thee to this foul revolt
From the pure well of Beauty undefiled?
So banish from true wisdom to prefer
Such squalid wit to honourable rhyme?
To write? To scribble? Nonsense and no more?
I will not write upon this argument
To write is human—not to write divine. Quick Facts Title: To Margaret Author: Edgar Allan Poe Written: 1827 References: Milton, Shakespeare, Pope Major Theme: Criticism of writing Summary of "To Margaret" "To Margaret" is a brief poe…