The swan, wild-clanging, scoured the midnight lake, And broke my dream of Annie, and I lay, Through those brief hours before the dawn of day, Chiding the sound that startled me awake. Ungracious bird, why didst thou come between My loving question and her dear reply? I saw her parted lip, her downcast eye, I saw how sweet her answer would have been, Hadst thou not cried just then in love's despite! For once, I pray, thy clamorous zeal forbear, And grant this easy boon to me and her: I claim my perfect dream: be mute to-night: Thy voice kept Annie silent: I foresee Thy silence will be Annie's voice to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DE GUSTIBUS' by ROBERT BROWNING THE GRAVES OF A HOUSEHOLD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE PAUPER'S DEATH-BED by CAROLINE ANNE BOWLES SOUTHEY TRENCH RAID NEAR HOOGE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM OF FINTRY (1) by ROBERT BURNS FOURTH BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 14 by THOMAS CAMPION |