Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SERENADE, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Wake, lady, wake! Last Line: Sleep, lady, sleep! Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac Subject(s): Courtship | ||||||||
WAKE, lady, wake! Dear heart, awake From slumbers light; For 'neath thy bower, at this still hour, In harness bright, Lingers thine own true paramour, And chosen knight! Wake, lady, wake! Wake, lady, wake! For thy loved sake, Each trembling star Smiles from on high with its clear eye, While nobler far Yon silvery shield lights earth and sky; How good they are! Wake, lady, wake! Rise, lady, rise! Not star-filled skies I worship now, A fairer shrine I trust is mine For loyal vow: O that the living stars would shine That light thy brow! Rise, lady, rise! Rise, lady, rise, Ere war's rude cries Fright land and sea! To-morrow's light sees mail-sheathed knight, Even hapless me, Careering through the bloody fight Afar from thee! Rise, lady, rise! Mute, lady, mute? I have no lute, Nor rebeck small To soothe thine ear with lay sincere, Or Madrigal; With helm on head and hand on spear, On thee I call! Mute, lady, mute! Mute, lady, mute To love's fond suit? I'll not complain, Since underneath thy balmy breath I may remain One brief hour more ere I seek death On battle plain! Mute, lady, mute! Sleep, lady, sleep! While watch I keep Till dawn of day: But o'er the wold now morning cold Shines icy grey; While the plain gleams with steel and gold, And chargers neigh! Sleep, lady, sleep! Sleep, lady, sleep! Nor wake to weep For heart-struck me: These trumpets knell my last farewell To love and thee! When next they sound, 'twill be to tell I died for thee! Sleep, lady, sleep! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AS YOU WALK OUT ONE MORNING by GLYN MAXWELL TALE OF THE MAYOR'S SON by GLYN MAXWELL THE RIVALS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON MARJORIE'S WOOING by EMMA LAZARUS THE FORTUNATE SPILL by MARILYN NELSON REQUEST TO LEDA by DYLAN THOMAS JEANIE MORRISON by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL |
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