Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CYPRESS, by ARTHUR WILLIAM EDGAR O'SHAUGHNESSY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O ivory bird, that shakest thy wan plumes Last Line: Long in the shadow of the cypress tree. Alternate Author Name(s): O'shaughnessy, Arthur W. E. Subject(s): Birds; Cypress Trees | ||||||||
O Ivory bird, that shakest thy wan plumes, And dost forget the sweetness of thy throat For a most strange and melancholy note That wilt forsake the summer and the blooms And go to winter in a place remote! The country where thou goest, Ivory bird! It hath no pleasant nesting-place for thee; There are no skies nor flowers fair to see, Nor any shade at noonas I have heard But the black shadow of the Cypress tree. The Cypress tree, it groweth on a mound; And sickly are the flowers it hath of May, Full of a false and subtle spell are they; For whoso breathes the scent of them around, He shall not see the happy Summer day. In June, it bringeth forth, O Ivory bird! A winter berry, bitter as the sea; And whoso eateth of it, woe is he He shall fall pale, and sleepas I have heard Long in the shadow of the Cypress tree. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOUNDING HARVEY CREEK by DAVID BOTTOMS TO A CYPRESS; ATHENS, 1913 by RHYS CARPENTER WIND IN THE CYPRESS by MARY BEALE CARR TO THE YEW AND CYPRESS TO GRACE HIS FUNERAL by ROBERT HERRICK ..... AND WHITE THE WHITE INVOKES by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG CONTACT by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG EVERGREEN by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG HER VOICE by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG NIGHT OFF GALLIPOLI: 2. VOICE OF A YOUTHFUL TURK by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY LORD ALCOHOL; SONG by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES PERIMEDES, THE BLACKSMITH: PHILLIS AND CORIDON by ROBERT GREENE |
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