Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE VESTAL'S DREAM, by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE VESTAL'S DREAM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, venus, white-limbed mother of delight
Last Line: And lights with silver torch the fallen fire.
Subject(s): Innocence; Mythology - Classical; Venus (goddess)


AH, Venus, white-limbed mother of delight,
Why shouldst thou tease her with a dream so dear?
Winged tenderness of kisses, hovering near,
Her gentle longings cheat. Forbidden sight
Of eager eyes doth through the virgin night
Perplex her innocence with cherished fear.
O cruel thou, with sweets to ripen here
In wintry cloisters what can know but blight.
Wilt leave her now to scorn? The lictors' blows
To-morrow shall be merciless. The light
Dies on the altar! Nay, swift through the night,
Comes pitiful the queen of young desire,
That reddened in a dream this chaste white rose,
And lights with silver torch the fallen fire.





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