Sometimes he roars among the leafy trees Such sounds as in a narrow cove, when Seas Rush in between high rocks; or grandly roll'd, Like music heard in churches that are old. Sometimes he makes the children's happy sound, When they play hide and seek, and one is found. Sometimes he whineth like a dog in sleep, Bit by the merciless, small fleas; then deep And hollow sounds come from him, as starved men Oft hear rise from their empty parts; and then He'll hum a hollow groan, like one sick lain, Who fears a move will but increase his pain. And now he makes an awful wail, as when From dark coal-pits are brought up crushed, dead men To frantic wives. When he's on mischief bent, He breeds more ill than that strange Parliament Held by the witches, in the Hebrides; He's here, he's there, to do whate'er he please. For well he knows the spirits' tricks at night, Of slamming doors, and blowing out our light, And tapping at our windows, rattling pails, And making sighs and moans, and shouts and wails. 'Twas he no doubt made that young man's hair white, Who slept alone in a strange house one night, And was an old man in the morn and crazed, And all who saw and heard him were amazed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHITE PEACOCK by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE VISIONARY by EMILY JANE BRONTE A FAREWELL TO FOLLY: CONTENT by ROBERT GREENE EXTRACTS FROM AN OPERA: 2. DAISY'S SONG by JOHN KEATS BROTHERLY LOVE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |