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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO HESPERUS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR

Poet Analysis

First Line: HESPERUS, HAIL! THY WINKING LIGHT
Last Line: GLADLY WOULD DISCOVER.

Hesperus, hail! thy winking light
Best befriends the lover,
Whom the sadder Moon for spite
Gladly would discover.

Thou art fairer far than she,
Fairer far and chaster:
She may guess who smiled on me,
I know who embraced her.

Pan of Arcady . . 'twas Pan,
In the tamarisk bushes . .
Bid her tell thee, if she can,
Where were then her blushes.

And, were I inclined to tattle,
I could name a second,
Whom asleep with sleeping cattle
To her cave she beckon'd.

Hesperus, hail! thy friendly ray
Watches o'er the lover,
Lest the nodding leaves betray,
Lest the Moon discover.

Phryne heard my kisses given
Acte's rival bosom . .
'@3Twas the buds@1, I swore my heaven,
@3Bursting into blossom@1.

What she heard, and half espied
By the gleam, she doubted,
And with arms uplifted, cried
@3How they must have sprouted@1!

Hesperus, hail again! thy light
Best befriends the lover,
Whom the sadder Moon for spite
Gladly would discover.



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