Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE KRAKEN, by ALFRED TENNYSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE KRAKEN, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Below the thunders of the upper deep
Last Line: In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Sea Monsters; Supernatural; Sea Serpents


BELOW the thunders of the upper deep,
Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides; above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumber'd and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages, and will lie
Battening upon huge sea - worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.







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