Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BENCH OF BOORS by HERMAN MELVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN BED I MUSE ON TENIER'S BOORS
Last Line: CAT-NAPS TAKE IN PIPE-BOWL LIGHT.
Subject(s): PAINTINGS & PAINTERS; PEASANTRY; TENIERS, DAVID, THE YOUNGER, (1610-1690);
In bed I muse on Tenier's boors,
Embrowned and beery losels all:
A wakeful brain
Elaborates pain:
Within low doors the slugs of boors
Laze and yawn and doze again.

In dreams they doze, the drowsy boors,
Their hazy hovel warm and small:
Thought's ampler bound
But chill is found:
Within low doors the basking boors
Snugly hug the ember-mound.

Sleepless, I see the slumberous boors
Their blurred eyes blink, their eyelids fall:
Thought's eager sight
Aches -- overbright!
Within low doors the boozy boors
Cat-naps take in pipe-bowl light.



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