Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LATE AT NIGHT, by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Rigid sleeps the house in darkness, I alone Last Line: Black and phantasmal? Alternate Author Name(s): Lawrence, D. H. Variant Title(s): Phantasmagoria | ||||||||
RIGID sleeps the house in darkness, I alone Like a thing unwarrantable cross the hall And climb the stairs to find the group of doors Standing angel-stern and tall. I want my own room's shelter. But what is this Throng of startled beings suddenly thrown In confusion against my entry? Is it only the trees' Large shadows from the outside street lamp blown? Phantom to phantom leaning; strange women weep Aloud, suddenly on my mind Startling a fear unspeakable, as the shuddering wind Breaks and sobs in the blind. So like to women, tall strange women weeping! Why continually do they cross the bed? Why does my soul contract with unnatural fear? I am listening! Is anything said? Ever the long black figures swoop by the bed; They seem to be beckoning, rushing away, and beckoning. Whither then, whither, what is it, say What is the reckoning. Tall black Bacchae of midnight, why then, why Do you rush to assail me? Do I intrude on your rites nocturnal? What should it avail me? Is there some great Iacchos of these slopes Suburban dismal? Have I profaned some female mystery, orgies Black and phantasmal? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BABY RUNNING BAREFOOT by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE BAVARIAN GENTIANS by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE BROODING GRIEF by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE DREAMS OLD AND NASCENT: NASCENT by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE GLOIRE DE DIJON by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE PIANO by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE PICCADILLY CIRCUS AT NIGHT: STREETWALKERS by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE SNAKE by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE SORROW by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE THE BRIDE by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE |
|