Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SPECTRE OF THE ROSE, by THEOPHILE GAUTIER Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Your silken fringed lids unclose Last Line: So blessed all kings may envy it.' Alternate Author Name(s): Theo, Le Bon Subject(s): Flowers; Roses | ||||||||
YOUR silken fringed lids unclose On which some maiden dream doth fall, I am the spectre of the Rose You wore at yester evening's ball. You picked me when besprinkled o'er With silver pearl drops of the rain, And through the dance in radiance bore Until the morning dawned again. O you! who doomed me thus to die, Think not to put me now to flight, Your bed my ghost will hover nigh And dance around you all the night; Yet claim I not for life so lost Masses or dirges, tears or sighs, This gentle fragrance is my ghost; And I am come from Paradise. Such death can never pity claim, But only envy, I aver; How many a one would wish the same, Since your neck was my sepulchre. On the snow white where I repose, A poet pressed a kiss, and writ This epitaph--'Here lies a Rose So blessed all kings may envy it.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHISPER OF THE ROSE by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG THE WISDOM OF THE ROSE by ELSA BARKER LOVE PLANTED A ROSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES ROSES; A VILANELLE by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON THE PAINTER ON SILK by AMY LOWELL VARIATIONS: 17 by CONRAD AIKEN WORDS IN A CERTAIN APPROPRIATE MODE by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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