Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FRAGMENT, by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Walking by moonlight on the golden margin Last Line: That glisten'd, like a pearl, in its white bosom. Alternate Author Name(s): Butler, Frances Anne; Kemble, Fanny | ||||||||
WALKING by moonlight on the golden margin That binds the silver sea, I fell to thinking Of all the wild imaginings that man Hath peopled heaven, and earth, and ocean with; Making fair nature's solitary haunts Alive with beings, beautiful and fearful. And as the chain of thought grew, link by link, It seem'd as though the midnight heavens wax'd brighter, The stars gazed fix'dly with their golden eyes, And a strange light play'd o'er each sleeping billow, That laid its head upon the sandy beach. Anon there came along the rocky shore A far-off sound of sweetest minstrelsy. From no one point of heaven or earth it came; But under, over, and about it breathed; Filling my soul with thrilling, fearful pleasure. It swell'd, as though borne on the floating wings Of the midsummer breeze; it died away Towards heaven, as though it sank into the clouds, That one by one melted like flakes of snow In the moonbeams. Then came a rushing sound, Like countless wings of bees, or butterflies; And suddenly, as far as eye might view, The coast was peopled with a world of elves, Who in fantastic ringlets danced around, With antic gestures, and wild beckoning motion, Aimed at the moon. White was their snowy vesture, And shining as the Alps, when that the sun Gems their pale robes with diamonds. On their heads Were wreaths of crimson and of yellow foxglove. They were all fair, and light as dreams. Anon The dance broke off; and sailing through the air Some one way, and some other, they did each Alight upon some waving branch or flower That garlanded the rocks upon the shore. One, chiefly did I mark; one tiny sprite, Who crept into an orange flower-bell, And there lay nestling, whilst his eager lips Drank from its virgin chalice the night dew, That glisten'd, like a pearl, in its white bosom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PROMISE by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE ABSENCE by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE IMPROMPTU by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE LAMENT OF A MOCKING-BIRD by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE LINES WRITTEN IN LONDON by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE ON A FORGET-ME-NOT; BROUGHT FROM SWITZERLAND by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE |
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