Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VER TENEBROSUM: THE LUTE-PLAYER, by WILLIAM WATSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VER TENEBROSUM: THE LUTE-PLAYER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: She was a lady great and splendid
Last Line: With rapture of my hate and love!
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): Hate; Love


SHE was a lady great and splendid,
I was a minstrel in her halls.
A warrior like a prince attended
Stayed his steed by the castle walls.

Far had he fared to gaze upon her.
"O rest thee now, Sir Knight," she said.
The warrior wooed, the warrior won her;
In time of snowdrops they were wed.
I made sweet music in his honour,
And longed to strike him dead.

I passed at midnight from her portal,
Throughout the world till death I rove:
Ah, let me make this lute immortal
With rapture of my hate and love!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net