Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BARBARA, by ALEXANDER SMITH Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: On the sabbath day Last Line: Barbara! Subject(s): Fidelity; Faithfulness; Constancy | ||||||||
ON the Sabbath-day, Through the churchyard old and gray, Over the crisp and yellow leaves I held my rustling way; And amid the words of mercy, falling on my soul like balms, 'Mid the gorgeous storms of music -- in the mellow organ-calms, 'Mid the upward-streaming prayers, and the rich and solemn psalms, I stood careless, Barbara. My heart was otherwhere, While the organ shook the air, And the priest, with outspread hands, bless'd the people with a prayer; But when rising to go homeward, with a mild and saintlike shine Gleam'd a face of airy beauty with its heavenly eyes on mine -- Gleam'd and vanish'd in a moment -- O that face was surely thine Out of heaven, Barbara! O pallid, pallid face! O earnest eyes of grace! When last I saw thee, dearest, it was in another place. You came running forth to meet me with my love-gift on your wrist: The flutter of a long white dress, then all was lost in mist -- A purple stain of agony was on the mouth I kiss'd, That wild morning, Barbara. I search'd, in my despair, Sunny noon and midnight air; I could not drive away the thought that you were lingering there. O many and many a winter night I sat when you were gone, My worn face buried in my hands, beside the fire alone -- Within the dripping churchyard, the rain plashing on your stone, You were sleeping, Barbara. 'Mong angels, do you think Of the precious golden link I clasp'd around your happy arm while sitting by yon brink? Or when that night of gliding dance, of laughter and guitars, Was emptied of its music, and we watch'd, through lattice-bars, The silent midnight heaven creeping o'er us with its stars, Till the day broke, Barbara? In the years I've changed; Wild and far my heart has ranged, And many sins and errors now have been on me avenged; But to you I have been faithful whatsoever good I lack'd: I loved you, and above my life still hangs that love intact -- Your love the trembling rainbow, I the reckless cataract. Still I love you. Barbara. Yet, Love, I am unblest; With many doubts opprest, I wander like the desert wind without a place of rest. Could I but win you for an hour from off that starry shore, The hunger of my soul were still'd; for Death hath told you more Than the melancholy world doth know -- things deeper than all lore You could teach me, Barbara. In vain, in vain, in vain! You will never come again. There droops upon the dreary hills a mournful fringe of rain; The gloaming closes slowly round, loud winds are in the tree, Round selfish shores for ever moans the hurt and wounded sea; There is no rest upon the earth, peace is with Death and thee -- Barbara! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARGUING BARTUSIAK by ALBERT GOLDBARTH THE VISIONARY by EMILY JANE BRONTE THE PROTESTATION by THOMAS CAREW A VALEDICTION: OF MY NAME IN THE WINDOW by JOHN DONNE ELEGY: 11. THE BRACELET; UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESS'S CHAIN by JOHN DONNE WOMAN'S CONSTANCY by JOHN DONNE NON SUM QUALIS ERAM BONAE SUB REGNO CYNARAE by ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON |
|