Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LONG AGO: 27, by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY Poet's Biography First Line: The moon rose full: the women stood Last Line: And leave, moon-bathed, the virgin quire Alternate Author Name(s): Field, Michael (with Edith Emma Cooper) Subject(s): Sappho (610-580 B.c.); Women | ||||||||
THE moon rose full: the women stood As though within a sacred wood Around an altar-thus with awe The perfect, virgin orb they saw Supreme above them ; and its light Fell on their limbs and garments white. Then with pale, lifted brows they stirred Their fearful steps at Sappho's word, And in a circle moved around, Responsive to her music's sound, That through the silent air stole on, Until their breathless dread was gone, And they could dance with lightsome feet, And lift the song with voices sweet. Then once again the silence came : Their lips were blanched as if with shame That they in maidenhood were bold Its sacred worship to unfold ; And Sappho touched the lyre alone, Until she made the bright strings moan. She called to Artemis aloud- Alas, the moon was wrapt in cloud !- Oh, whither art thou gone from me ? Come back again, virginity ! For maidenhood still do I long, The freedom and the joyance strong Of that most blessed, secret state That makes the tenderest maiden great. O moon, be fair to me as these, And my regretful passion ease ; Restore to me my only good, My maidenhood, my maidenhood !" She sang : and through the clouded night An answer came of cruel might - To thee I never come again. O Sappho, bitter was thy pain ! Then did thy heavy steps retire, And leave, moon-bathed, the virgin quire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV CYCLAMENS by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY |
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