Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SOME SONGS AFTER MASTER-SINGERS: 6. BORN TO THE PURPLE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Most-like it was this kingly lad Last Line: As now thou rulest, smiling there. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Happiness; Hearts; Sea; Joy; Delight; Ocean | ||||||||
MOST-LIKE it was this kingly lad Spake out of the pure joy he had In his child-heart of the wee maid Whose eery beauty sudden laid A spell upon him, and his words Burst as a song of any bird's: -- A peerless Princess thou shalt be, Through wit of love's rare sorcery: To crown the crown of thy gold hair Thou shalt have rubies, bleeding there Their crimson splendor midst the marred Pulp of great pearls, and afterward Leaking in fainter ruddy stains Adown thy neck-and-armlet-chains Of turquoise, chrysoprase, and mad Light-frenzied diamonds, dartling glad Swift spirts of shine that interfuse As though with lucent crystal dews That glance and glitter like split rays Of sunshine, born of burgeoning Mays When the first bee tilts down the lip Of the first blossom, and the drip Of blended dew and honey heaves Him blinded midst the underleaves. For raiment, Fays shall weave for thee -- Out of the phosphor of the sea And the frayed floss of starlight, spun With counterwarp of the firm sun -- A vesture of such filmy sheen As, through all ages, never queen Therewith strove truly to make less One fair line of her loveliness. Thus gowned and crowned with gems and gold, Thou shalt, through centuries untold, Rule, ever young and ever fair, As now thou rulest, smiling there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALL OF OCEAN LIFE by JOHN HOLLANDER JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE FIGUREHEAD by LEONIE ADAMS A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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