Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HIS DREAM, by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I swayed upon the gaudy stern Last Line: By the sweet name of death. Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B. Subject(s): Dreams; Death | ||||||||
I SWAYED upon the gaudy stern The butt-end of a steering-oar, And saw wherever I could turn A crowd upon a shore. And though I would have hushed the crowd, There was no mother's son but said, 'What is the figure in a shroud Upon a gaudy bed?' And after running at the brim Cried out upon that thing beneath -- It had such dignity of limb -- By the sweet name of Death. Though I'd my finger on my lip, What could I but take up the song? And running crowd and gaudy ship Cried out the whole night long, Crying amid the glittering sea, Naming it with ecstatic breath, Because it had such dignity, By the sweet name of Death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY HOW THE MIRROR LOOKS THIS MORNING by HICOK. BOB NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND SIXTEEN DEAD MEN by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |
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