Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MOONSHINE, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOONSHINE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair the sun riseth
Last Line: To another land.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina


Fair the sun riseth,
Bright as bright can be,
Fair the sun shineth
On a fair fair sea.

'Across the water
Wilt thou come with me,
Miles and long miles, love,
Over the salt sea?'

'If thou wilt hold me
Truly by the hand,
I will go with thee
Over sea and sand.

'If thou wilt hold me
That I shall not fall,
I will go with thee,
Love, in spite of all.'

Fair the moon riseth
On her heavenly way,
Making the waters
Fairer than by day.

A little vessel
Rocks upon the sea,
Where stands a maiden
Fair as fair can be.

Her smile rejoices
Though her mouth is mute:
She treads the vessel
With her little foot.

Truly he holds her
Faithful to his pledge,
Guiding the vessel
From the water's edge.

Fair the moon saileth
With her pale fair light,
Fair the girl gazeth
Out into the night.

Saith she, 'Like silver
Shines thy hair, not gold':
Saith she, 'I shiver
In thy steady hold.

Love,' she saith weeping,
'Loose thy hold awhile;
My heart is freezing
In thy freezing smile.'

The moon is hidden
By a silver cloud,
Fair as a halo
Or a maiden's shroud.

No more beeseeching,
Ever on they go:
The vessel rocketh
Softly to and fro:

And still he holds her
That she shall not fall,
Till pale mists whiten
Dimly over all.

Onward and onward,
Far across the sea:
Onward and onward,
Pale as pale can be:

Onward and onward,
Ever hand in hand,
From sun and moonlight
To another land.




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