IN the dusk before the dawning, In the dark before the day, I saw its aspic awning Spread above the shadow-way, Stood beneath the rich red weaving And the wax-wrought white so gay Blent to purple past believing— Made of March instead of May. In the silver sunlight's pressure, In the half-warm noon's embrace, I saw the spring's first treasure Like a shining maiden's face; Million petals halo-gleaming, Lambent links of fairy lace, Round the spring-sprite's bosom streaming— Glimpse of glowing girlish grace. Woe! I saw it night enshrouded, Whipt by wind and washt by rain, Light of dawn and noon, beclouded, Joy and youth turned age and pain; Petals flying, ghostly, ghastly, To be trampled down the lane;— But the memory looming vastly Shall forever fair remain. @3Ah, and so shall early blooming Lose all sweetness young life gave? Rainy night-winds darkly dooming Pale pink-whiteness,—beauty brave? Youth's fresh hope go glooming, glooming, Scattered scentless in its grave, And ghost-memory, vastly looming, Be all later life shall save?@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLACE FOR A THIRD by ROBERT FROST DOMESDAY BOOK: THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE EAGLE THAT IS FORGOTTEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY THE GIRLS' LOT by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS HITOPADESA: DEDICATION by EDWIN ARNOLD AT HAWTHORNE'S GRAVE by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES |