Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There was a sound of hurrying feet Last Line: That frightful tale to tell. | ||||||||
THERE was a sound of hurrying feet, A tramp on echoing stairs, There was a rush along the aisles, -- It was the hour of prayers. And on, like Ocean's midnight wave, The current rolled along, When, suddenly, a stranger form Was seen amidst the throng. He was a dark and swarthy man, That uninvited guest; A faded coat of bottle-green Was buttoned round his breast. There was not one among them all Could say from whence he came; Nor beardless boy, nor ancient man, Could tell that stranger's name. All silent as the sheeted dead, In spite of sneer and frown, Fast by a gray-haired senior's side He sat him boldly down. There was a look of horror flashed From out the tutor's eyes; When all around him rose to pray, The stranger did not rise! A murmur broke along the crowd, The prayer was at an end; With ringing heels and measured tread, A hundred forms descend. Through sounding aisle, o'er grating stair, The long procession poured, Till all were gathered on the seats Around the Commons board. That fearful stranger! down he sat, Unasked, yet undismayed; And on his lip a rising smile Of scorn or pleasure played. He took his hat and hung it up, With slow but earnest air; He stripped his coat from off his back, And placed it on a chair. Then from his nearest neighbor's side A knife and plate he drew; And, reaching out his hand again, He took his teacup too. How fled the sugar from the bowl! How sunk the azure cream! They vanished like the shapes that float Upon a summer's dream. A long, long draught, -- an outstretched hand, -- And crackers, toast, and tea, They faded from the stranger's touch, Like dew upon the sea. Then clouds were dark on many a brow, Fear sat upon their souls, And, in a bitter agony, They clasped their buttered rolls. A whisper trembled through the crowd, -- Who could the stranger be? And some were silent, for they thought A cannibal was he. What if the creature should arise, -- For he was stout and tall, -- And swallow down a sophomore, Coat, crow's-foot, cap, and all! All sullenly the stranger rose; They sat in mute despair; He took his hat from off the peg, His coat from off the chair. Four freshmen fainted on the seat, Six swooned upon the floor; Yet on the fearful being passed, And shut the chapel door. There is full many a starving man, That walks in bottle green, But never more that hungry one In Commons hall was seen. Yet often at the sunset hour, When tolls the evening bell, The freshman lingers on the steps, That frightful tale to tell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SEA DIALOGUE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES A SUN-DAY HYMN [OR LAMENT] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES AFTER A LECTURE ON KEATS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BILL AND JOE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BIRTHDAY OF DANIEL WEBSTER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1630 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1774 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1869 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BROTHER JONATHAN'S LAMENT FOR SISTER CAROLINE [DECEMBER 2O, 1860] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES CACOETHES SCRIBENDI by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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