Classic and Contemporary Poetry
INSCRIPTION FOR AN ICE-HOUSE, by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Stranger, approach! Within this iron door Last Line: To rush in whirlwinds forth, and rule the year. Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Anna Letitia Subject(s): Ice Houses | ||||||||
Stranger, approach! within this iron door Thrice locked and bolted, this rude arch beneath That vaults with ponderous stone the cell; confined By man, the great magician, who controuls Fire, earth and air, and genii of the storm, And bends the most remote and opposite things To do him service and perform his will, -- A giant sits; stern Winter; here he piles, While summer glows around, and southern gales Dissolve the fainting world, his treasured snows Within the rugged cave. -- Stranger, approach! He will not cramp thy limbs with sudden age, Nor wither with his touch the coyest flower That decks thy scented hair. Indignant here, Like fettered Sampson when his might was spent In puny feats to glad the festive halls Of Gaza's wealthy sons; or he who sat Midst laughing girls submiss, and patient twirled The slender spindle in his sinewy grasp; The rugged power, fair Pleasure's minister, Exerts his art to deck the genial board; Congeals the melting peach, the nectarine smooth, Burnished and glowing from the sunny wall: Darts sudden frost into the crimson veins Of the moist berry; moulds the sugared hail: Cools with his icy breath our flowing cups; Or gives to the fresh dairy's nectared bowls A quicker zest. Sullen he plies his task, And on his shaking fingers counts the weeks Of lingering Summer, mindful of his hour To rush in whirlwinds forth, and rule the year. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO SPRING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD WASHING-DAY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A SUMMER EVENING'S MEDITATION by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HYMN: 2 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LIFE [AND DEATH] by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD ODE TO SPRING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD ON THE EXPECTED GENERAL RISING OF THE FRENCH NATION IN 1792 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE MOUSE'S PETITION TO DOCTOR PRIESTLY FOUND IN THE TRAP .. by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |
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