Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DESPAIR, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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DESPAIR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Up rose the moon in glory
Last Line: "a bringing in the light."
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Despair; Love - Loss Of; Moon; Night; Stars; Bedtime


1

Up rose the moon in glory,
And glittered on the sea;
Up rose the stars around her,
Making the darkness flee.

2

The nightingale's wild warbling
Rang in the far-off wood;
When in his Father's castle
A mournful figure stood.

3

His heart was almost bursting,
He madly beat his breast;
As, in low plaintive accents,
His grief he thus exprest.

4

"Stars, shroud yourselves in darkness!
Pale moon, withdraw thy light!
Let darkness hide the ocean
For ever from my sight;

5

"Hide cottage, town and city; --
Appear no more, thou Sun!
But let in foreign countries
Thy cheering race be run.

6

"For I have lost my loved one!
Low lies she in her grave!
Speak not to me of pleasure,
For her I could not save.

7

"Hark to the distant murmur
As waves break on the shore" --
When lo! a light came flashing
Along the corridor.

8

The mystic form that bore it
He scarcely could discern;
Its flowing robe was blackness --
Higher the flame doth burn --

9

He cried, "What art thou, Spirit
So luminous and bright?"
A voice said, "I'm the maid, Sir,
A bringing in the light."





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