Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STORIED SONNET, by ANN RADCLIFFE


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STORIED SONNET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The weary traveler, who, all night long
Last Line: His weak steps slide, he shrieks, he sinks -- he dies!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ward, Ann
Subject(s): Alps; Mountain Climbing; Mountains; Hills; Downs (great Britain)


The weary traveler, who, all night long,
Has climbed among the Alps' tremendous steeps,
Skirting the pathless precipice, where throng
Wild forms of danger; as he onward creeps
If, chance, his anxious eye at distance sees
The mountain-shepherd's solitary home,
Peeping from forth the moon-illumined trees,
What sudden transports to his bosom come!
But, if between some hideous chasm yawn,
Where the cleft pine a doubtful bridge displays,
In dreadful silence, on the brink, forlorn
He stands, and views in the faint rays
Far, far below, the torrent's rising surge,
And listens to the wild impetuous roar;
Still eyes the depth, still shudders on the verge,
Fears to return, nor dares to venture o'er.
Desperate, at length the tottering plank he tries,
His weak steps slide, he shrieks, he sinks -- he dies!





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