Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TRAVELLER'S EVENING SONG, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Father! Guide me! Day declines Last Line: Save -- oh, save! Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Religion; Theology | ||||||||
FATHER! guide me! Day declines, Hollow winds are in the pines; Darkly waves each giant bough O'er the sky's last crimson glow: Hushed is now the convent's bell, Which erewhile with breezy swell From the purple mountains bore Greeting to the sunset-shore. Now the sailor's vesper-hymn Dies away. Father! in the forest dim, Be my stay! In the low and shivering thrill Of the leaves that late hung still In the dull and muffled tone Of the sea-waves' distant moan; In the deep tints of the sky, There are signs of tempest nigh. Ominous, with sullen sound, Falls the closing dusk around. Father! through the storm and shade O'er the wild, Oh! be Thou the lone one's aid -- Save thy child! Many a swift and sounding plume Homewards, through the boding gloom, O'er my way hath flitted fast Since the farewell sunbeam passed From the chestnut's ruddy bark, And the pools, now lone and dark, Where the wakening night-winds sigh Through the long reeds mournfully. Homeward, homeward, all things haste -- God of might! Shield the homeless 'midst the waste! Be his light! In his distant cradle-nest, Now my babe is laid to rest; Beautiful its slumber seems With a glow of heavenly dreams -- Beautiful, o'er that bright sleep, Hang soft eyes of fondness deep, Where his mother bends to pray For the loved and far away. Father! guard that household bower, Hear that prayer! Back, through thine all-guiding power, Lead me there! Darker, wilder grows the night: Not a star sends quivering light Through the massy arch of shade By the stern, old forest made. Thou! to whose unslumbering eyes All my pathway open lies, By the Son who knew distress In the lonely wilderness, Where no roof to that blessed head Shelter gave -- Father! through the time of dread, Save -- oh, save! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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