Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twixt those twin worlds, the world of sleep, which gave
Last Line: Art first of praisers, being most praised here.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Shelley, Percy Bysshe (1792-1822)


(INSCRIPTION FOR THE COUCH, STILL PRESERVED, ON WHICH HE
PASSED THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE)

'TWIXT those twin worlds,--the world of Sleep, which gave
No dream to warn,--the tidal world of Death,
Which the earth's sea, as the earth, replenisheth,--
Shelley, Song's orient sun, to breast the wave,
Rose from this couch that morn. Ah! did he brave
Only the sea?--or did man's deed of hell
Engulph his bark 'mid mists impenetrable? ...
No eye discerned, nor any power might save.

When that mist cleared, O Shelley? what dread veil
Was rent for thee, to whom far-darkling Truth
Reigned sovereign guide through thy brief ageless youth?
Was the Truth thy Truth, Shelley!--Hush? All-Hail,
Past doubt, thou gav'st it; and in Truth's bright sphere
Art first of praisers, being most praised here.





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