Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MARGARET FULLER by AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT

Poem Explanation

First Line: THOU, SIBYL RAPT! WHOSE SYMPATHETIC SOUL
Last Line: AND THE GREAT HEART THAT LOVED THE BRAVE AND FREE.
Subject(s): FULLER, MARGARET (1810-1850);

THOU, Sibyl rapt! whose sympathetic soul
Infused the myst'ries thy tongue failed to tell;
Though from thy lips the marvellous accents fell,
And weird wise meanings o'er the senses stole,
Through those rare cadences, with winsome spell;
Yet even in such refrainings of thy voice
There struggled up a wailing undertone,
That spoke thee victim of the Sisters' choice,--
Charming all others, dwelling still alone.
They left thee thus disconsolate to roam,
And scorned thy dear, devoted life to spare.
Around the storm-tost vessel sinking there
The wild waves chant thy dirge and welcome home;
Survives alone thy sex's valiant plea,
And the great heart that loved the brave and free.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net