Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SEMELE, by ROSE TERRY COOKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SEMELE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Spirit of light divine!
Last Line: Then, clay, in fire depart! Then, soul, in heaven survive!
Subject(s): Death; Flowers; Life; Love; Soul; Dead, The


Spirit of light divine!
Quick breath of power,
Breathe on these lips of mine,
Persuade the bud to flower;
Cleave thy dull swathe of cloud! no longer waits the hour.

Exulting, rapturous flame,
Dispel the night!
I dare not breathe thy name,
I tremble at thy light,
Yet come! in fatal strength, -- come, in all matchless might.

Burn, as the leaping fire
A martyr's shroud;
Burn, like an Indian pyre,
With music fierce and loud.
Come Power! Love calls thee, -- come, with all the god endowed!

Immortal life in death,
On these rapt eyes,
On this quick, failing breath,
In dread and glory rise.
The altar waits thy torch, -- come, touch the sacrifice!

Come! not with gifts of life,
Not for my good;
My soul hath kept her strife
In fear and solitude;
More blest the inverted torch, the horror-curdled blood.

Better in light to die
Than silent live;
Rend from these lips one cry,
One death-born utterance give,
Then, clay, in fire depart! then, soul, in heaven survive!





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