Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ENDYMION, by SAMUEL VALENTINE COLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ENDYMION, by                    
First Line: How slowly falls yon sickle from on high
Last Line: She bends above his eyes.
Subject(s): Endymion


HOW slowly falls yon sickle from on high
Through evening's silent sky,
Flashing a splendor from its curvèd blade
On the low-lying shade!

Now in and out the narrow cloud that bars
Its pathway from the stars
It slips, and with a golden glory shines,
Nearing the mountain lines.

Nay, 'tis no sickle which some unseen hand
Lets fall upon the land;
It is the jewel of a lady's crown,
As she steps lightly down.

Night after night, down the aerial stair
She stealeth unaware,
Leaving the empire which she rules above,
And all her state, for love.

Behold, her feet have touched the rocky steeps
Where the young shepherd sleeps,
And larger burns her jewel as she moves
In search of him she loves.

And now it fades, and glimmers, and is gone.
Happy Endymion!
While here the world in sudden shadow lies,
She bends above his eyes.





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