HOW slowly falls yon sickle from on high Through evening's silent sky, Flashing a splendor from its curvèd blade On the low-lying shade! Now in and out the narrow cloud that bars Its pathway from the stars It slips, and with a golden glory shines, Nearing the mountain lines. Nay, 'tis no sickle which some unseen hand Lets fall upon the land; It is the jewel of a lady's crown, As she steps lightly down. Night after night, down the aerial stair She stealeth unaware, Leaving the empire which she rules above, And all her state, for love. Behold, her feet have touched the rocky steeps Where the young shepherd sleeps, And larger burns her jewel as she moves In search of him she loves. And now it fades, and glimmers, and is gone. Happy Endymion! While here the world in sudden shadow lies, She bends above his eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CALIBAN UPON SETEBOS; OR, NATURAL THEOLOGY IN THE ISLAND by ROBERT BROWNING THE LION'S RIDE by FERDINAND FREILIGRATH SUMMER. THE SECOND PASTORAL, OR ALEXIS by ALEXANDER POPE THE PHOENIX AND THE TURTLE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 78 by ALFRED TENNYSON |