Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GRATIANA DANCING AND SINGING, by RICHARD LOVELACE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GRATIANA DANCING AND SINGING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: See! With what constant motion
Last Line: The graces danced, and apollo played!'
Subject(s): Dancing & Dancers


SEE! with what constant motion,
Even, and glorious as the sun,
Gratia a steers that noble frame,
Soft as her breast, sweet as her voice,
That gave each winding law and poise,
And swifter than the wings of Fame.

She beat the happy pavement--
By such a star made firmament,
Which now no more the roof envies!
But swells up high, with Atlas even,
Bearing the brighter, nobler heaven,
And, in her, all the deities.

Each step trod out a lover's thought,
And the ambitious hopes he brought
Chained to her brave feet with such arts,
Such sweet command and gentle awe,
As, when she ceased, we sighing saw
The floor lay paved with broken hearts.

So did she move, so did she sing,
Like the harmonious spheres that bring
Unto their rounds their music's aid;
Which she performed such a way
As all the enamoured world will say,
'The Graces danced, and Apollo played!'





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