Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FETE, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FETE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: There was a feast that night
Last Line: Came thronging in.
Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia
Variant Title(s): The Banquet


THERE was a feast that night
And coloured lamps sent forth their odorous light
Over gold carvings, and the purple fall
Of tapestry; and around each stately hall
Were statues pale, and delicate, and fair,
As all of beauty, save her blush, were there!
And, like light clouds floating around each room,
The censers sent their breathings of perfume;
And scented waters mingled with the breath
Of flowers that died as they rejoiced in death.
The tulip, with its globe of rainbow light;
The red rose, as it languished with delight;
The bride-like hyacinth, drooping as with shame,
And the anemone, whose cheek of flame
Is golden, as it were the flower the sun,
In his noon hour, most loved to look upon.
At first the pillared halls were still and lone,
As if some fairy palace, all unknown
To mortal eye or step: -- this was not long --
Wakened the lutes, and rose the sound of song;
And the wide mirrors glittered with the crowd
Of changing shapes: the young, the fair, the proud,
Came thronging in.





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