Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE STUDENT, by JOHANN LUDWIG UHLAND Poet's Biography First Line: As by salamanca's city Last Line: Travelled with me, ever near. Subject(s): Echo (mythology); Homer (10th Century B.c.); Poetry & Poets; Schools; Iliad; Odyssey; Students | ||||||||
As by Salamanca's city, Once I sate within the vale; And while birds were round me singing, Read in Homer's master tale, How in gay and rich apparel, Helen mounted Ilion's wall; And so wond'rous seemed her beauty To the Trojan elders all, That each greybeard to his neighbour Muttered, gazing on her face: 'Trust me, never was there woman Seen so fair of earthly race!' And I deeper read and deeper, Marking nought that passed around, Till the leaves beside me rustled, Then I started at the sound. On a neighbouring balcony, What a wonder there I saw! There in gay and rich apparel Stood a maid like Helena. And an old man was beside her, With so strange, yet kind a mien; That I could have sworn -- the elder Had of Priam's counsel been. Then I was a bold Achaian, For from that remember'd day, Ever near the haunted dwelling, Like another Troy, I lay. Simply to relate my story -- Many a week of summer long, Came I every evening thither, With my lute and with my song; Told in many a mournful ditty All my love and all my pain, Till from out the lofty lattice Came a sweet response again. Thus exchanging word and music Passed we half the fleeting year -- Even this was only granted While the dotard did not hear. Often from his couch he wandered Restless, jealous, and awake; But unheard by him our voices, As the songs the planets make. But at last -- the night was fearful, Starless, gloomy as the grave -- To my well-accustomed signal No response the loved one gave; Only one old toothless lady Heard me evermore complain -- Only that old maiden, Echo, Sent me back my call again. Vanished was my love -- my beauty; Empty chamber, room, and hall; Empty was the blooming garden -- Cold and desolate were all! Ah! and ne'er had I discover'd Where her home, or what her name; For by word and sign she threaten'd Never to disclose the same. Then I went about to seek her, Far and near, my lot to try; Homer's tale I left behind me, For Ulysses' self was I! But I took my lute to guide me, And beside each castle door, Under every lattice window, Made I music as before; Sang the strain in field and city Which, in Salamanca's grove, Every evening I had chanted As a signal to my love; But the hoped-for, longed-for answer Came not back to bless my ear, Only that old lady, Echo, Travelled with me, ever near. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN MICHAEL ROBINS?ÇÖS CLASS MINUS ONE by HICOK. BOB YOU GO TO SCHOOL TO LEARN by THOMAS LUX GRADESCHOOL'S LARGE WINDOWS by THOMAS LUX THE CASTLE BY THE SEA by JOHANN LUDWIG UHLAND |
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