Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ENCHANTED LAKE, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poet's Biography First Line: I found a dark enchanted lake Last Line: Save that she looked with laura's eyes. Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement Subject(s): Lakes; Nymphs; Pools; Ponds | ||||||||
I FOUND a dark enchanted lake, That lay within a lonely glade; I stood a moment, held entranced, Hid 'neath the willow's purple shade. The moon cast down her silver nets, As slow she sailed the misty blue, And in their twisting coil and mesh The leaping waters softly drew. Like some young nun, vain in the night, The white magnolia blossom bent All timid down her face to view Within that favoured element "Why from rough seas did Venus rise, And wherefore let her beauty glow From chill embraces of the wave, If she this fairy spot did know?" I thought: "From this enchanted lake, That holds the heavens on its heart, Should she have risen in the night And flung the clinging waves apart." Lo! as I spoke the purple shade Rang out in some sweet elfin tune, And singing 'neath my gaze, a nymph Flashed in the pale net of the moon. "Ye gods, look down," I knelt and cried: "This scented pool is sure a cup Lost from your board, upon whose lip A precious pearl is offered up. "Or if they sleep, O nymph, on me Some pity take, and seek the shore, Or draw me in your white embrace Down to your home for evermore." For one sweet moment did she stand, A gleaming statue washed in tears; Her snowy breast alone did tell The tragic tumult of her fears. Then, like some bird who feels a wound, She gave her voice to little cries, But ere she fluttered to the shade She looked on me with Laura's eyes. Ah! This white fairy of the lake, Who by her magic did entrance, Held one brief moment my poor heart, All faithless, only by a glance. To you, my Laura, ever true, Who now pass by with much disdain, And will not listen to my vows, But let me plead, and plead in vain; Who turn away with blushing cheek And head averted at my sigh, Whose scornful laughter chills my heart, So that I pine, and soon must die. Ah! who beside that sheltered lake Did thus my secret love surprise? I swear the nymph was nought to me, Save that she looked with Laura's eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN GETS OFF WORK EARLY by THOMAS LUX THE FRIARY AT BLOSSOM, PROLOGUE & INSTRUCTIONS by NORMAN DUBIE SONGS FOR TWO SEASONS: 2. RED POND by CAROL FROST THE WIND ON THE HILLS by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER |
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