Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LONDON VOLUNTARIES: 1. GRAVE, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: St. Margaret's bells Last Line: But, being dead, we shall not grieve to die. Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E. Subject(s): London | ||||||||
St. Margaret's bells, Quiring their innocent, old-world canticles, Sing in the storied air, All rosy-and-golden, as with memories Of woods at evensong, and sands and seas Disconsolate for that night is nigh. O, the low, lingering lights! The large last gleam (Hark! how those brazen choristers cry and call!) Touching these solemn ancientries, and there, The silver River ranging tide-mark high And the callow, grey-faced Hospital, With the strange glimmer and glamour of a dream! The Sabbath peace is in the slumbrous trees, And from the wistful, the fast-widowing sky (Hark! how those plangent comforters call and cry!) Falls as in August plots late roseleaves fall. The sober Sabbath stir -- Leisurely voices, desultory feet! -- Comes from the dry, dust-coloured street, Where in their summer frocks the girls go by, And sweethearts lean and loiter and confer, Just as they did an hundred years ago, Just as an hundred years to come they will: -- When you and I, Dear Love, lie lost and low, And sweet-throats none our welkin shall fulfill, Nor any sunset fade serene and slow; But, being dead, we shall not grieve to die. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHARF ON THAMES-SIDE: WINTER DAWN by LAURENCE BINYON THE IDLER'S CALENDAR: MAY. THE LONDON SEASON by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT A LONDON THOROUGHFARE, 2 A.M. by AMY LOWELL SPRING WIND IN LONDON by KATHERINE MANSFIELD A BALLAD OF WHITECHAPEL by ISAAC ROSENBERG LONDON, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY |
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