Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VENILIA by WILLIAM SHARP

First Line: ALONG THE FAINT SHORES OF THE FOAMLESS GULF
Last Line: WHEN ON THE GAY WIND SWIMS THE YELLOW LEAF.
Subject(s): CIRCE; FLOWERS; LILIES; SILENCE;
Along the faint shores of the foamless gulf
I see pale lilies droop, wan roses fall,
And Silence stilling the uplifted wave.

And in the movement of the uplifted wave,
And ere the rose fall, or the lily breathe,
Silence becomes a lonely voice, like hers,
Venilia's, who when love was given wings
And far off flight, mourned ceaseless as a dove,
Till bitter Circe made her but a voice
Still lingering as a fragrance in dim woods
When on the gay wind swims the yellow leaf.



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