Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT ONE AGAIN: 4. THE WAKING by JEAN INGELOW

Poet Analysis

First Line: OVER HIS HEAD THE CHAFER HUMMETH
Last Line: THE DREAMER HEARS IT, AND STARTS TO WAKE
Subject(s): SLEEP; WAKING;


Over his head the chafer hummeth,
Under his feet shut daisies bend:
Waken, man! the enemy cometh,
Thy neighbor, counted so long a friend.


He cannot waken - and firm, and steady,
The enemy comes with lowering brow;
He looks for war, his heart is ready,
His thoughts are bitter - he will not bow.


He fronts the seat, - the dream is flinging
A spell that his footsteps may not break, -
But one in the garden of hops is singing -
The dreamer hears it, and starts awake.






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