Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SERENADE, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SERENADE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Wake, lady, wake!
Last Line: Sleep, lady, sleep!
Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac
Subject(s): Courtship


WAKE, lady, wake!
Dear heart, awake
From slumbers light;
For 'neath thy bower, at this still hour,
In harness bright,
Lingers thine own true paramour,
And chosen knight!
Wake, lady, wake!

Wake, lady, wake!
For thy loved sake,
Each trembling star
Smiles from on high with its clear eye,
While nobler far
Yon silvery shield lights earth and sky;
How good they are!
Wake, lady, wake!

Rise, lady, rise!
Not star-filled skies
I worship now,
A fairer shrine I trust is mine
For loyal vow:
O that the living stars would shine
That light thy brow!
Rise, lady, rise!

Rise, lady, rise,
Ere war's rude cries
Fright land and sea!
To-morrow's light sees mail-sheathed knight,
Even hapless me,
Careering through the bloody fight
Afar from thee!
Rise, lady, rise!

Mute, lady, mute?
I have no lute,
Nor rebeck small
To soothe thine ear with lay sincere,
Or Madrigal;
With helm on head and hand on spear,
On thee I call!
Mute, lady, mute!

Mute, lady, mute
To love's fond suit?
I'll not complain,
Since underneath thy balmy breath
I may remain
One brief hour more ere I seek death
On battle plain!
Mute, lady, mute!

Sleep, lady, sleep!
While watch I keep
Till dawn of day:
But o'er the wold now morning cold
Shines icy grey;
While the plain gleams with steel and gold,
And chargers neigh!
Sleep, lady, sleep!

Sleep, lady, sleep!
Nor wake to weep
For heart-struck me:
These trumpets knell my last farewell
To love and thee!
When next they sound, 'twill be to tell
I died for thee!
Sleep, lady, sleep!





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