Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE JESSAMINE BOWER, by CLINTON SCOLLARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE JESSAMINE BOWER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I know a bower where the jessamine blows
Last Line: Peace is the priestess and silence the psalm!
Subject(s): Flowers


I KNOW a bower where the jessamine blows,
Far in the forest's remotest repose;
If once the eyes have beholden the golden
Chalices swinging, farewell to the rose!

Just at the bloom-burst of dawn is the hour
God must have fashioned the delicate flower,
Wrought it of sunlight and thrilled it and filled it
With a beguiling aroma for dower.

Here hath the air an enchantment that seems
Borne from the bourn of desire and of dreams, --
Borne from the bourn of youth's longing where thronging
Dwell all love's glories and glamours and gleams.

Here doth the palm-plume o'er-droop and the pine;
Here doth the wild-grape distil its dark wine;
Here the chameleon, gliding and hiding,
Changes its hues in the shade and the shine.

Luring the lights are that falter and fail, --
Beryl and amber and amethyst pale
Splashes of radiant splendor, and tender
Tints as when twilight is deep in a dale.

By no bold bees are the stillnesses stirred;
Scarce is there bubble of song from a bird,
Save for the turtle-dove's cooing and wooing, --
Rapture without an articulate word.

Sway on, oh, censers of bloom and of balm!
Sweeten the virginal cloisters of calm!
Be there one spot lovely, lonely, where only
Peace is the priestess and silence the psalm!





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