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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO THE SERENADER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: TINKLE ON, O SWEET GUITAR
Last Line: PRESS THIS ROSE I'M KISSING.
Subject(s): GUITARS; LUTES; SINGING & SINGERS;

TINKLE on, O sweet guitar,
Let the dancing fingers
Loiter where the low notes are
Blended with the singer's:
Let the midnight pour the moon's
Mellow wine of glory
Down upon him through the tune's
Old romantic story!

I am listening, my love,
Through the cautious lattice,
Wondering why the stars above
All are blinking at us;
Wondering if his eyes from there
Catch the moonbeam's shimmer
As it lights the robe I wear
With a ghostly glimmer.

Lilt thy song, and lute away
In the wildest fashion: --
Pour thy rippling roundelay
O'er the heights of passion! --
Flash it down the fretted strings
Till thy mad lips, missing
All but smothered whisperings,
Press this rose I'm kissing.



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