Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE RHINE, by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE RHINE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas morn, and beautiful the mountain's brow
Last Line: Nor heeds how fast the prospect winds away.
Variant Title(s): The Rhine
Subject(s): Inland Waters; Rhine (river), Europe


'T WAS morn, and beautiful the mountain's brow --
Hung with the clusters of the bending vine --
Shone in the early light, when on the Rhine
We sailed and heard the waters round the prow
In murmurs parting; varying as we go,
Rocks after rocks come forward and retire,
As some gray convent wall or sunlit spire
Starts up along the banks, unfolding slow.
Here castles, like the prisons of despair,
Frown as we pass; -- thee, on the vineyard's side,
The bursting sunshine pours its streaming tide;
While Grief, forgetful amid scenes so fair,
Counts not the hours of a long summer's day,
Nor heeds how fast the prospect winds away.




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