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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MISTRESS FELL by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHOM SEEK YOU HERE, SWEET MISTRESS FELL?'
Last Line: FOR A CLOSE WHISPERING.'

'Whom seek you here, sweet Mistress Fell?'
'One who loved me passing well.
Dark his eye, wild his face --
Stranger, if in this lonely place
Bide such an one, then, prythee, say
@3I@1 am come here to-day.'

'Many his like, Mistress Fell?'
'I did not look, so cannot tell.
Only this I surely know,
When his voice called me, I must go;
Touched me his fingers, and my heart
Leapt at the sweet pain's smart.'

'Why did he leave you, Mistress Fell?'
'Magic laid its dreary spell --
Stranger, he was fast asleep;
Into his dream I tried to creep;
Called his name, soft was my cry;
He answered -- not one sigh.

'The flower and the thorn are here;
Falleth the night-dew, cold and clear;
Out of her bower the bird replies,
Mocking the dark with ecstasies,
See how the earth's green grass doth grow,
Praising what sleeps below!

'Thus have they told me. And I come,
As flies the wounded wild-bird home.
Not tears I give; but all that he
Clasped in his arms, sweet charity;
All that he loved -- to him I bring
For a close whispering.'



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