Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MAD SCULPTOR, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Far up in the quarry / I hewed a stone for pure delight Last Line: And reaches me his hands! Subject(s): Art & Artists; Sculpture & Sculptors; Statues; Stones; Granite; Rocks | ||||||||
Far up in the quarry I hewed a stone for pure delight, Far up in the quarry that's gashed in the mountainside. I chipped the stone and the flakes flew white. I thought a wonder dazzling bright. I caught my dream in a grasp of might And wrought it wild with pride. Sun blazed o'er the quarry. The sweat was on my shoulders wet. Over me hung the forest that manes the mountainside. I flung my strength on the stubborn stone. I wrung at length from the stubborn stone A strong king on a granite throne Clung by his glorious bride. His face shone in the quarry. Above her grace, a granite face, Rock of the rocky quarrya king on the mountainside. I carved her drapery every fold. I scarved her shoulders, struck to gold, I starved for her face till Time grew old And faltered in its tide. The light failed in the quarry, And in my breast the passion ceased. The light failed in the quarry; it failed from the mountainside. But I at length had wrought alone Beauty and strength so wed in stone My eyes went blind. I stumbled prone, And cared not if I died! Far up in the quarry Night and the stars are over me! Far up in the quarry my glimmering sculpture stands. Though I be dead, yet verily The sculptor of Eternity Stands in the starlight over me And reaches me his hands! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STONE'S SECRET by MARGARET AVISON CONTRA MORTEM: THE STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH NAMING FOR LOVE by HAYDEN CARRUTH OF THE STONES OF THE PLACE by ROBERT FROST THE EYE IN THE ROCK by JOHN HAINES THE HEAD ON THE TABLE by JOHN HAINES THE FALCONER OF GOD by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |
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