Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE NIGHT JOURNEY, by RUPERT BROOKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hands and lit faces eddy to a line Last Line: The lamps fade; and the stars. We are alone. Subject(s): Soldiers' Writings | ||||||||
Hands and lit faces eddy to a line; The dazed last minute click; the clamour dies. Beyond the great-swung arc o' the roof, divine, Night, smoky-scarved, with thousand coloured eyes Glares the imperious mystery of the way. Thirsty for dark, you feel the long-limbed train Throb, stretch, thrill motion, slide, pull out and sway, Strain for the far, pause, draw to strength again. . . . As a man, caught by some great hour, will rise, Slow-limbed, to meet the light or find his love; And, breathing long, with staring sightless eyes, Hands out, head back, agape and silent, move Sure as a flood, smooth as a vast wind blowing; And, gathering power and purpose as he goes, Unstumbling, unreluctant, strong, unknowing, Borne by a will not his, that lifts, that grows, Sweep out to darkness, triumphing in his goal, Out of the fire, out of the little room. . . . -- There is an end appointed, O my soul! Crimson and green the signals burn; the gloom Is hung with steam's far-blowing livid streamers. Lost into God, as lights in light, we fly, Grown one with will, end-drunken huddled dreamers. The white lights roar. The sounds of the world die. And lips and laughter are forgotten things. Speed sharpens; grows. Into the night, and on, The strength and splendour of our purpose swings. The lamps fade; and the stars. We are alone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...1914: 2. SAFETY by RUPERT BROOKE 1914: 3. THE DEAD by RUPERT BROOKE 1914: 4. THE DEAD by RUPERT BROOKE 1914: 5. THE SOLDIER by RUPERT BROOKE A CHANNEL PASSAGE by RUPERT BROOKE |
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