Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE OLD KING, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Woke - the old king of cumberland Last Line: His heart stood still. Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter | ||||||||
Woke -- the old King of Cumberland: Yet breathed not nor stirred, But crouched in the darkness, hearkening after A voice he had heard. He leaned upon his foursquare bed, Thumb beneath bristling chin; 'Alas, alas! -- the woeful dream -- The dream that I was in!' The old, old King of Cumberland Muttered, ''Twas not the sea Gushing upon Schlievlisskin rocks That wakened me. 'Thunder from midmost night it was not, For yonder at those bars Burn fiercely toward the Eastern deeps The summer stars.' The old, old King of Cumberland Mused yet, 'Rats ever did Ramp, rustle, clink my spurs, and gnaw My coverlid. 'Oft hath a furtive midnight breeze Along this valance skirred; But in this stagnant calm 'twas not The wind I heard. 'Some keener, stranger, quieter, closer Voice it was me woke. . .' And silence, like a billow, drowned The word he spoke. Fixed now his stare, for limned in dark, Gazing from cowl-like hood, Stark in the vague, all-listening night, A shadow stood. Sudden a gigantic hand he thrust Into his bosom cold, Where now no surging restless beat Its long tale told. Swept on him then, as there he sate, Terror icy chill: 'Twas silence that had him awoke -- His heart stood still. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALONE (2) by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE AN EPITAPH by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE ARABIA by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE BUNCHES OF GRAPES by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE ECHO by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE ENGLAND (2) by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE FARE WELL by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE FIVE EYES by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE JOHN MOULDY by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE MOTLEY by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE |
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