Dorothy Q. - A Family Portrait

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

I cannot tell the story of Dorothy Q. more simply in prose than I have told it in verse, but I can add something to it. Dorothy was the daughter of Judge Edmund Quincy, and the niece of Josiah Quincy, junior, the young patriot and orator who died just before the American Revolution, of which he was one of the most eloquent and effective promoters. The son of the latter, Josiah Quincy, the first mayor of Boston bearing that name, lived to a great age, one of the most useful and honored citizens of his time. The canvas of the painting was so much decayed that it had to be replaced by a new one, in doing which the rapier thrust was of course filled up.     Grandmother's mother: her age, I guess,     Thirteen summers, or something less;     Girlish bust, but womanly air;     Smooth, square forehead with uprolled hair;     Lips that lover has never kissed;     Taper fingers and slender wrist;     Hanging sleeves of stiff brocade;     So they painted the little maid.     On her hand a parrot green     Sits unmoving and broods serene.     Hold up the canvas full in view, -     Look! there's a rent the light shines through,     Dark with a century's fringe of dust, -     That was a Red-Coat's rapier-thrust!     Such is the tale the lady old,     Dorothy's daughter's daughter, told.     Who the painter was none may tell, -     One whose best was not over well;     Hard and dry, it must be confessed,     Flat as a rose that has long been pressed;     Yet in her cheek the hues are bright,     Dainty colors of red and white,     And in her slender shape are seen     Hint and promise of stately mien.     Look not on her with eyes of scorn, -     Dorothy Q. was a lady born!     Ay! since the galloping Normans came,     England's annals have known her name;     And still to the three-billed rebel town     Dear is that ancient name's renown,     For many a civic wreath they won,     The youthful sire and the gray-haired son.     O Damsel Dorothy! Dorothy Q.!     Strange is the gift that I owe to you;     Such a gift as never a king     Save to daughter or son might bring, -     All my tenure of heart and hand,     All my title to house and land;     Mother and sister and child and wife     And joy and sorrow and death and life!     What if a hundred years ago     Those close-shut lips had answered No,     When forth the tremulous question came     That cost the maiden her Norman name,     And under the folds that look so still     The bodice swelled with the bosom's thrill?     Should I be I, or would it be     One tenth another, to nine tenths me?     Soft is the breath of a maiden's YES     Not the light gossamer stirs with less;     But never a cable that holds so fast     Through all the battles of wave and blast,     And never an echo of speech or song     That lives in the babbling air so long!     There were tones in the voice that whispered then     You may hear to-day in a hundred men.     O lady and lover, how faint and far     Your images hover, - and here we are,     Solid and stirring in flesh and bone, -     Edward's and Dorothy's - all their own, -     A goodly record for Time to show     Of a syllable spoken so long ago! -     Shall I bless you, Dorothy, or forgive     For the tender whisper that bade me live?     It shall be a blessing, my little maid!     I will heal the stab of the Red-Coat's blade,     And freshen the gold of the tarnished frame,     And gild with a rhyme your household name;     So you shall smile on us brave and bright     As first you greeted the morning's light,     And live untroubled by woes and fears     Through a second youth of a hundred years.     1871.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an intriguing blend of historical reflection, familial tribute, and existential musing. The narrative follows the tale of Dorothy Q., a figure from the past preserved in a painting, and the speaker's relationship to her. The central themes involve the connections across generations, the impact of historical events, and the profound influence of a single moment or decision on the course of future lives.

The structure of the poem is traditional, with consistent rhyming couplets used throughout, creating a smooth rhythm that underpins the unfolding narrative. Verses alternate between detailed descriptions of Dorothy Q. and her portrait, and the speaker's introspections about their shared lineage. The tone is contemplative and reverential, highlighting the significant role Dorothy Q. plays in the speaker's identity and existence.

The use of vivid imagery and color manifests a tangible connection between the past and present. The speaker's reference to the "Red-Coat's rapier-thrust" in the painting serves as a metaphor for the historical events that have shaped their lineage. The poem also taps into the theme of identity with the question, "Should I be I, or would it be/One tenth another, to nine tenths me?" This query reflects a deep engagement with the nature of selfhood and the influence of ancestry.

The poem ultimately becomes a tribute, not only to Dorothy Q., but also to the enduring bonds of family, history, and shared destiny. It showcases the power of a single decision—in this case, Dorothy's 'yes'—and how it resonates through time to shape the lives of descendants. The speaker's promise to "heal the stab of the Red-Coat's blade" and "freshen the gold of the tarnished frame" symbolizes an effort to honor and perpetuate their shared legacy, emphasizing the significance of preserving and cherishing one's heritage.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.


Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.