Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LAST NIGHT, by GORDON BOTTOMLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAST NIGHT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The queen's dark laugh is dreadful as the night
Last Line: And desolate memphian silences remain.
Subject(s): Silence


CHARMIAN.
The Queen's dark laugh is dreadful as the night.

IRAS.
As dark as fortune in these latter days.

CHARMIAN.
Fortune? Nay, fate that hurries us to our place --

IRAS.
By this mad feast, the funeral of delight.

CHARMIAN.
The Queen's thin laugh sounds like a spent wind's flight.

IRAS.
Her hopeless revels dazzle and amaze --

CHARMIAN.
As when expiring flames an instant blaze --

IRAS.
Aye, ere they sink in the black infinite.

CHARMIAN.
Such pleasure is the gods' contemptuous grant.

IRAS.
And pleasure's term by it shall quicklier come.

CHARMIAN.
Hark, mid sad mirth that lull significant --

IRAS.
And, like a dirge, the music's faltering strain.

CHARMIAN.
Soon shall the music, like the rest, fall dumb.

IRAS.
And desolate Memphian silences remain.





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