GIVE to me, Love, our London town, Now, when the hovering night comes down, What if away there still be day? Naked sky over silver reaches, Bronze of bracken and gold of beeches? Give me the woven shadows brown, Shot with the lights of London town. Ours is a gondola as dim, Secret, and bold as ere could swim, Shunning a moon that smiled too soon —Black the boat over black abysses,— Harbouring rapture, curtailing kisses, Lovers that laughed at Fortune's frown, There—as we do in London town. Tune of the jingling bells and feet Tap of the hoofs in an empty street— Then as a ship from port will slip Out we glide to the storm's commotion, Roar of a swift tumultous ocean, Surge of faces that glimmer and drown, Foam on the sea of London town. Little of stars our London recks, Night with her fiery garland decks, Light upon light as pearls strung white— Fast through shadows and moony blazes Topaz and ruby whirl in mazes, Flash in the sinister veil, the crown Royal and fierce of London town. Ever the hurrying faces pass, Phantom-dim through a rain-blurred glass. Which of the swarm will heed if warm Here a venturous arm enwind you? Here if lips should seek and find you, Mouth and cheek of you, hair and gown? Give me my Love in London town! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CEMETERY BY THE SEA by PAUL VALERY SECOND OPINION by STEPHEN CUSHMAN TWILIGHT by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE HOLYHEAD, SEPTEMBER 25, 1727 by JONATHAN SWIFT COMPOSED BY THE SIDE OF GRASMERE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 28. AS-BAZIR by EDWIN ARNOLD |