Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE RUINS OF A COUNTRY INN, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Where now these mingled ruins lie Last Line: Again collect our jovial crew. Variant Title(s): Stanzas Subject(s): Memory | ||||||||
Where now these mingled ruins lie A temple once to Bacchus rose, Beneath whose roof, aspiring high, Full many a guest forgot his woes. No more this dome, by tempests torn, Affords a social safe retreat; But ravens here, with eye forlorn, And clustering bats henceforth will meet. The Priestess of this ruined shrine, Unable to survive the stroke, Presents no more the ruddy wine,-- Her glasses gone, her china broke. The friendly Host, whose social hand Accosted strangers at the door, Has left at length his wonted stand, And greets the weary guest no more. Old creeping Time, that brings decay, Might yet have spared these moldering walls, Alike beneath whose potent sway A temple or a tavern falls. Is this the place where mirth and joy, Coy nymphs, and sprightly lads were found? Indeed! no more the nymphs are coy, No more the flowing bowls go round. Is this the place where festive song Deceived the wintry hours away? No more the swains the tune prolong, No more the maidens join the lay. Is this the place where Nancy slept In downy beds of blue and green? Dame Nature here no vigils kept, No cold unfeeling guards were seen. 'T is gone! -- and Nancy tempts no more; Deep, unrelenting silence reigns; Of all that pleased, that charmed before, The tottering chimney scarce remains. Ye tyrant winds, whose ruffian blast Through doors and windows blew too strong, And all the roof to ruin cast,-- The roof that sheltered us so long,-- Your wrath appeased, I pray be kind If Mopsus should the dome renew, That we again may quaff his wine, Again collect our jovial crew. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORY AS A HEARING AID by TONY HOAGLAND THE SAME QUESTION by JOHN HOLLANDER FORGET HOW TO REMEMBER HOW TO FORGET by JOHN HOLLANDER ON THAT SIDE by LAWRENCE JOSEPH MEMORY OF A PORCH by DONALD JUSTICE BEYOND THE HUNTING WOODS by DONALD JUSTICE AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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