Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, BY DANBY, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: And there the island lay, the waves around Last Line: His bride to the fair island. Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia Subject(s): Danby, Francis (1793-1861); Paintings & Painters | ||||||||
AND there the island lay, the waves around Had never known a storm; for the north wind Was charm'd from coming, and the only airs That blew brought sunshine on their azure wings, Or tones of music from the sparry caves, Where the sea maids make lutes of the pink conch: These were sea breezes, -- those that swept the land Brought other gifts, -- sighs from blue violets, Or from June's sweet Sultana, the bright rose Stole odours. On the silver mirror's face Was but a single ripple that was made By a flamingo's beak, whose scarlet wings Shone like a meteor on the stream: around, Upon the golden sands, where coral plants, And shells of many colours, and sea weeds, Whose foliage caught and chain'd the Nautilus, Where lay they as at anchor. On each side Were grottoes, like fair porticoes with steps Of the green marble; and a lovely light, Like the far radiance of a thousand lamps, Half-shine, half-shadow, or the glorious track Of a departing star but faintly seen In the dim distance, through those caverns shone, And play'd o'er the tall trees which seem'd to hide Gardens, where hyacinths rang their soft bells To call the bees from the anemone, Jealous of their bright rivals' golden wealth. -- Amid those arches floated starry shapes, Just indistinct enough to make the eye Dream of surpassing beauty; but in front, Borne on a car of pearl, and drawn by swans, There lay a lovely figure, -- she was queen Of the Enchanted Island, which was raised From ocean's bosom but to pleasure her: And spirits, from the stars, and from the sea, The beauteous mortal had them for her slaves. She was the daughter of a king, and loved By a young Ocean Spirit from her birth, -- He hover'd o'er her in her infancy, And bade the rose grow near her, that her cheek Might catch its colour, -- lighted up her dreams With fairy wonders, and made harmony The element in which she moved; at last, When that she turn'd away from earthly love, Enamour'd of her visions, he became Visible with his radiant wings, and bore His bride to the fair island. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...1801: AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE ENVOY TO CONSTANTINOPLE by RICHARD HOWARD VENETIAN INTERIOR, 1889 by RICHARD HOWARD THERE IS A GOLD LIGHT IN CERTAIN OLD PAINTINGS by DONALD JUSTICE DUTCH INTERIORS by JANE KENYON INVITATION TO A PAINTER: 3 by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE CHINA PAINTERS by TED KOOSER ELEGY FOR SOL LEWITT by ANN LAUTERBACH ON THE SEPARATION OF ADAM AND EVE by TIMOTHY LIU CALYPSO WATCHING THE OCEAN by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
|