I held a woman fairer than the sun, And marvelled as she kissed me. Was I set Beside the seas the eyes of Shelley met? Had I the Italian dark-haired rapture won?— I seemed no longer where our dim streams run And where the leaves with ceaseless storms are wet:— The woman's long loose hair was black as jet; Its scent stayed with me when the kiss was done. The glory of Southern passion filled my mind, And pale seemed even Venus' locks of gold And poor and worthless by those black locks twined Over the brow some god had bent to mould: And her warm starlike eyes seemed sweeter things Than any colder gaze our Northland brings. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DESERTED VILLAGE by OLIVER GOLDSMITH EPITAPH ON THOMAS CLERE, SURREY'S FAITHFUL FRIEND AND FOLLOWER by HENRY HOWARD LANDSCAPE; TWILIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE WRESTLERS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |