Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FLOWERING TREE, by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES


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THE FLOWERING TREE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What fairy fann'd my dreams
Last Line: Which thou gav'st me to kiss.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bridges, Robert+(2)
Subject(s): Love; Trees


What Fairy fann'd my dreams
while I slept in the sun?
As if a flowering tree
were standing over me:
Its young stem strong and lithe
went branching overhead
And willowy sprays around
fell tasseling to the ground
All with wild blossom gay
as is the cherry in May
When her fresh flaunt of leaf
gives crowns of golden green.

The sunlight was enmesh'd
in the shifting splendour
And I saw through on high
to soft lakes of blue sky:
Ne'er was mortal slumber
so lapt in luxury.
Rather -- Endymion --
would I sleep in the sun
Neath the trees divinely
with day's azure above
When my love of Beauty
is met by beauty's love.

So I slept enchanted
under my loving tree
Till from his late resting
the sweet songster of night
Rousing awaken'd me:
Then! this - the birdis note --
Was the voice of thy throat
which thou gav'st me to kiss.





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