Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROSINA, by EMILY JANE BRONTE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Weeks of wild delirium past Last Line: Remains a mortal shade!' Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Ellis Subject(s): Love; Hope; Death; Optimism; Dead, The | ||||||||
Weeks of wild delirium past -- Weeks of fevered pain, Rest from suffering comes at last -- Reason dawns again -- It was a pleasant April day Declining to the afternoon Sunshine upon her pillow lay As warm as middle June. It told her how unconsciously Early spring had hurried by 'Ah Time has not delayed for me!' She murmured with a sigh. 'Angora's hills have heard their tread The crimson flag is planted there -- Elderno's waves are rolling red, While I lie fettered here? 'Nay, rather, Gondal's shaken throne Is now secure and free; And my King Julius reigns alone, Debtless, alas! to me!' Loud was the sudden gush of woe From those who watched around; Rosina turned, and sought to know Why burst that boding sound. 'What then, my dreams are false,' she said 'Come maidens, answer me Has Almedore in battle fled? Have slaves subdued the free? 'I know it all, he could not bear To leave me dying far away -- He fondly, madly lingered here And we have lost the day! 'But check those coward sobs, and bring My robes and smooth my tangled hair: A noble victory you shall sing For every hour's despair! 'When will he come? 'Twill soon be night -- He'll come when evening falls -- Oh I shall weary for the light To leave my lonely halls!' She turned her pallid face aside As she would seek repose; But dark Ambition's thwarted pride Forbade her lids to close -- And still on all who waited by Oppressive mystery hung; And swollen with grief was every eye And chained was every tongue. They whispered nought, but, 'Lady, sleep, Dear Lady, slumber now! Had we not bitter cause to weep While you were laid so low? 'And Hope can hardly deck the cheek With sudden signs of cheer When it has worn through many a week The stamp of anguish drear' -- Fierce grew Rosina's gloomy gaze; She cried, 'Dissemblers, own, Exina's arms in victory blaze Brenzaida's crest is down' 'Well, since it must be told, Lady, Brenzaida's crest is down Brenzaida's sun is set, Lady, His empire overthrown! 'He died beneath this palace dome -- True hearts on every side -- Among his guards, within his home Our glorious monarch died 'I saw him fall, I saw the gore From his heart's fountain swell And mingling on the marble floor His murderer's life-blood fell -- 'And now, 'mid northern mountains lone His desert grave is made; And, Lady, of your love, alone Remains a mortal shade!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A DAY DREAM by EMILY JANE BRONTE |
|