Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE KINGS OF GOLCONDA, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Morning is round the shining palace Last Line: Of golconda's ancient kings. Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia | ||||||||
MORNING is round the shining palace, Mirrored on the tide, Where the lily lifts her chalice, With its gold inside, Like an offering from the waves. Early wakened from their slumbers, Stand the glittering ranks; Who is there shall count the numbers On the river's banks? Forth the household pours the slaves Of the kings of fair Golconda, Of Golconda's ancient kings. Wherefore to the crimson morning Are the banners spread, Daybreak's early colours scorning With a livelier red? Pearls are wrought on each silk fold. Summer flowers are flung to wither On the common way. Is some royal bride brought hither With this festival array, To the city's mountain-hold Of the kings of old Golconda, Of Golconda's ancient kings? From the gates the slow procession, Troops and nobles come. This hour takes the king possession Of an ancient home -- One he never leaves again. Musk and sandal-wood and amber Fling around their breath: They will fill the murky chamber Where the bride is Death. Where the worm hath sole domain O'er the kings of old Golconda, O'er Golconda's ancient kings. Now the monarch must surrender All his golden state, Yet the mockeries of splendour On the pageant wait That attends him to the tomb. Music on the air is swelling, 'Tis the funeral song, As to his ancestral dwelling, Is he borne along. They must share life's common doom. The kings of fair Golconda, Golconda's ancient kings. What are now the chiefs that gather? What their diamond mines? What the heron's snowy feather On their crest that shines? What their valleys of the rose? For another is their glory, And their state, and gold; They are a forgotten story, Faint and feebly told -- Breaking not the still repose Of the kings of fair Golconda, Of Golconda's ancient kings. Glorious is their place of sleeping, Gold with azure wrought, And embroidered silk is sweeping, Silk from Persia brought, Round the carved marble walls. Not the less the night-owl's pinion Stirs the dusky air, Not the less is the dominion Of the earth-worm there. Not less deep the shadow falls O'er the kings of fair Golconda, O'er Golconda's ancient kings. Not on such vain aids relying, Can the human heart Triumph o'er the dead and dying, It must know its part In the glorious hopes that wait The bright openings of the portal, Far beyond the sky -- Faith, whose promise is immortal, Life, that cannot die. These, and stronger than the state Of the kings of fair Golconda, Of Golconda's ancient kings. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FELICIA HEMANS by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE CASTLE OF CHILLON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE FACTORY; 'TIS AN ACCURSED THING! by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE FEMALE CONVICT by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE MARRIAGE VOW by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A CHILD SCREENING A DOVE FROM A HAWK, BY STEWARDSON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A COMPARISON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A GIRL AT HER DEVOTIONS, BY NEWTON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A HISTORY OF THE LYRE by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A LADY'S BEAUTY by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
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