Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SALOME, FR. THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS, by ARTHUR WILLIAM EDGAR O'SHAUGHNESSY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Her long black hair danced round her like a snake Last Line: Love, ecstasy, and rest. Alternate Author Name(s): O'shaughnessy, Arthur W. E. Variant Title(s): Salome Subject(s): Salome (1st Century A.d.) | ||||||||
HER long black hair danced round her like a snake Allured to each charmed movement she did make; Her voice came strangely sweet; She sang, "O, Herod, wilt thou look on me Have I no beauty thy heart cares to see?" And what her voice did sing her dancing feet Seemed ever to repeat. She sang, "O, Herod, wilt thou look on me? What sweet I have, I have it all for thee;" And through the dance and song She freed and floated on the air her arms Above dim veils that hid her bosom's charms: The passion of her singing was so strong It drew all hearts along. Her sweet arms were unfolded on the air, They seemed like floating flowers the most fair White lilies the most choice; And in the gradual bending of her hand There lurked a grace that no man could withstand; Yea, none knew whether hands, or feet, or voice, Most made his heart rejoice. The veils fell round her like thin coiling mists Shot through by topaz suns, and amethysts, And rubies she had on; And out of them her jewelled body came, And seemed to all quite like a slender flame That curled and glided, and that burnt and shone Most fair to look upon. Then she began, on that well-polished floor, Whose stones seemed taking radiance more and more From steps too bright to see, A certain measure that was like some spell Of winding magic, wherein heaven and hell Were joined to lull men's souls eternally In some mid ecstasy: For it was so inexplicably wrought Of soft alternate motions, that she taught Each sweeping supple limb, And in such intricate and wondrous ways With bendings of her body, that the praise Lost breath upon men's lips, and all grew dim Save her so bright and slim. And through the swift mesh'd serpents of her hair That lash'd and leapt on each place white and fair Of bosom or of arm, And through the blazing of the numberless And whirling jewelled fires of her dress, Her perfect face no passion could disarm Of its reposeful charm. Her head oft drooped as in some languid death Beneath brim tastes of joy, and her rich breath Heaved faintly from her breast; Her long eyes, opened fervently and wide, Did seem with endless rapture to abide In some fair trance through which the soul possest Love, ecstasy, and rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SALOME by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE SALOME by HARRIET GRAY BLACKWELL AN ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INQUIRING OBOE OF PHILOSPHIC BENT by RAYMOND ELLSWORTH F. LARSSON STUDY FOR SALOME DANCING BEFORE HEROD by ERIC PANKEY SALOME (1) by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER SALOME (2) by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER I PAY MY DEBT FOR LAFAYETTE AND ROCHAMBEAU' by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SONNET by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1567-1640) THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): MEDEA'S HESITATION by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS |
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