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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PERSONAL SONNET: CARLYLE by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: O GRANITE NATURE; LIKE A MOUNTAIN HEIGHT
Last Line: MERCY FLOWED MELTING LIKE AN ALPINE RILL!
Subject(s): CARLYLE, THOMAS (1795-1881);

O GRANITE nature; like a mountain height
Which pierces heaven! yet with foundations deep,
Rooted where earth's majestic forces sleep,
In quiet breathing on the breast of night: --
Proud thoughts were his that scaled the infinite
Of loftiest grasp, and calm Elysian sweep;
Fierce thoughts were his that burnt the donjon keep
Of ancient wrong, to flood its crypts with light:
Yet o'er his genius, firm as Ailsa's rock,
Large, Atlantean, with grim grandeur dowered, --
Love bloomed, and buds of tender beauty flowered: --
Yet down his rugged massiveness of will
Unscarred by alien passion's fiery shock,
Mercy flowed melting like an Alpine rill!



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