'Twas fifty quatrains: and from unknown strands The woman came who sang them on the floor. I saw her, I was leaning by the door, -Saw her Strange raiment and her lovely hands; And saw . . . but that I think she sang-the bands Of low-voiced women on a happy shore: Incomparable was the haze, and bore The many blossoms of soft orchard lands. 'Twas fifty quatrains, for I caught the measure; And all the royal house was full of kings, Who listened and beheld her and were dumb; Nor dared toseize the marvellous rich pleasure, Too fearful even to ask in whisperings, The ramparts being closed, whence she had come. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF DEATH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE SOLITARY REAPER by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH A CONCLUSORIE HUMNE TO THE SAME WEEK; & FOR MY FRIEND by JOSEPH BEAUMONT REQUIESCAT by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON THE ISLAND by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |