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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 7. TO THE EVENING RAINBOW by ROBERT SOUTHEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: MILD ARCH OF PROMISE! ON THE EVENING SKY
Last Line: ANTICIPATES THE REALM WHERE SORROWS CEASE.
Subject(s): HOPE; RAINBOWS; SONNET (AS LITERARY FORM); OPTIMISM;

MILD arch of promise! on the evening sky
Thou shinest fair, with many a lovely ray,
Each in the other melting. Much mine eye
Delights to linger on thee; for the day,
Changeful and many-weathered, seemed to smile,
Flashing brief splendour through its clouds awhile,
Which deepened dark anon, and fell in rain:
But pleasant it is now to pause, and view
Thy various tints of frail and watery hue,
And think the storm shall not return again.
Such is the smile that piety bestows
On the good man's pale cheek, when he, in peace,
Departing gently from a world of woes,
Anticipates the realm where sorrows cease.



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