Question

Which line from "Helen Grey" implies the author thinks Helen's behavior is going to hurt Helen herself?(MC)

Helen Grey
By Christina Georgina Rossetti
Because one loves you, Helen Grey,
Is that a reason you should pout,
And like a March wind veer about,
And frown, and say your shrewish say?
Don't strain the cord until it snaps,
Don't split the sound heart with your wedge,
Don't cut your fingers with the edge
Of your keen wit; you may, perhaps.
Because you're handsome, Helen Grey,
Is that a reason to be proud?
Your eyes are bold, your laugh is loud,
Your steps go mincing on their way;
But so you miss that modest charm
Which is the surest charm of all:
Take heed, you yet may trip and fall,
And no man care to stretch his arm.
Stoop from your cold height, Helen Grey,
Come down, and take a lowlier place;
Come down, to fill it now with grace;
Come down you must perforce some day:
For years cannot be kept at bay,
And fading years will make you old;
Then in their turn will men seem cold,
When you yourself are nipped
Because one loves you, Helen Grey
/ Is that a reason you should pout Don't cut your fingers with the edge /
Of your keen wit; Stoop from your cold height, Helen Grey /
Come down, and take a lowlier place Come down you must perforce some day
/ For years cannot be kept at bay.

Answer 1

I think its "don't cut your fingers with the edge / Of your keen wit". I hope this helps

Answer 2

The answer is "Don't cut your fingers with the edge / of your keen wit."

Step-by-step explanation:

After a thorough reading of the poem, we may conclude that the speaker is advising Helen Grey.

The speaker tells her to be careful. Helen is too confident due to her beauty and the attention she gets from men for it. She seems to have forgotten that beauty fades away as the years go by. And, with her beauty gone, the love and attention she is used to receiving will also disappear.

The speaker believes Helen will end up hurt if she does not become humbler:

Don't strain the cord until it snaps,

Don't split the sound heart with your wedge,

Don't cut your fingers with the edge

Of your keen wit; you may, perhaps.

Because you're handsome, Helen Grey,

Is that a reason to be proud?