Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WINTER, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I deem thee not unlovely, though thou com'st Last Line: To the eternal banquet. Subject(s): Winter | ||||||||
I DEEM thee not unlovely, though thou com'st With a stern visage. To the tuneful bird, The blushing flowret, the rejoicing stream, Thy discipline is harsh. But unto man Methinks thou hast a kindlier ministry. Thy lengthened eve is full of fireside joys, And deathless linking of warm heart to heart, So that the hoarse storm passeth by unheard. Earth, robed in white, a peaceful Sabbath holds, And keepeth silence at her Maker's feet. She ceaseth from the harrowing of the plough, And from the harvest-shouting. Man should rest Thus from his fevered passions, and exhale The unbreathed carbon of his festering thought, And drink in holy health. As the toss'd bark Doth seek the shelter of some quiet bay To trim its shattered cordage, and restore Its riven sails -- so should the toil-worn mind Refit for time's rough voyage. Man, perchance, Soured by the world's sharp commerce, or impaired By the wild wanderings of his summer way, Turns like a truant scholar to his home, And yields his nature to sweet influences That purify and save. The ruddy boy Comes with his shouting school-mates from their sport, On the smooth, frozen lake, as the first star Hangs, pure and cold, its twinkling cresset forth, And throwing off his skates with boisterous glee, Hastes to his mother's side. Her tender hand Doth shake the snow-flakes from his glossy curls, And draw him nearer, and with gentle voice Ask of his lessons, while her lifted heart Solicits silently the Sire of Heaven To "bless the lad." The timid infant learns Better to love its sire -- and longer sits Upon his knee, and with a velvet lip Prints on his brow such language, as the tongue Hath never spoken. Come thou to life's feast With dove-eyed meekness, and bland charity, And thou shalt find even Winter's rugged blast The minstrel teacher of thy well-tuned soul: And when the last drop of its cup is drained -- Arising with a song of praise -- go up To the eternal banquet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOOKING EAST IN THE WINTER by JOHN HOLLANDER WINTER DISTANCES by FANNY HOWE WINTER FORECAST by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN AT WINTER'S EDGE by JUDY JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 34 by JAMES JOYCE COLUMBUS [JANUARY, 1487] by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY |
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