12. No Second Troy

Yeats here is talking about Maud Gonne. Since there was no second Troy for her to burn, she had to do her damage to Irish politics and to the poet's heart: why should I blame her that she filled my days / with misery, or that she would of late / have taught to ignorant men most violent ways..." The disgust against poor people arising against their betters is palpable. Her mind is "simple." She is simple-minded, not through lack of intelligence, but because her purpose is singular, uncomplicated. Her beauty is stern like a bended bow.