Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RESCUE. TINTORETTO. THE DRESDEN GALLERY, by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY Poet's Biography First Line: Grey tower, green sea, dark, armour and clear curves Last Line: Their meeting heads, how close the trails of ivy wind! Alternate Author Name(s): Field, Michael (with Edith Emma Cooper) Subject(s): Paintings And Painters; Tintoretto [jacobo Robusti] (1518-1594) | ||||||||
Grey tower , green sea, dark armour and clear curves Of shining flesh; the tower built far into the sea And the dark armour that of one coming to set her free Who, white against the chamfered base, From fetters that her noble limbs enlace Bows to confer Herself on her deliverer: He, dazzled by the splendid gift, Steadies himself against his oar, ere he is strong to lift And strain her to his breast: Her powerful arms lie in such heavy rest Across his shoulder, though he swerves And staggers with her weight, though the wave buoys, Then slants the vessel, she maintains his form in poise. Her sister-captive, seated on the side Of the swayed gondola, her arched, broad back in strain, Strikes her right ankle, eager to discumber it of chain, Intent upon her work, as though It were full liberty ungyved to go. She will not halt, But spring delighted to the salt, When fetterless her ample form Can beat the refluence of the waves back to their crested storm. Has she indeed caught sight Of that blithe tossing pinnace on the white Scum of the full, up-bearing tide? The rose-frocked rower-boy, in absent fit Or modesty, surveys his toe and smiles at it. Her bondage irks not; she has very truth Of freedom who within her lover's face can seek For answer to her eyes, her breath, the blood within her cheek- A soul so resolute to bless She has forgot her shining nakedness And to her peer Presents immunity from fear: As one half-overcome, half-braced, The man's hand searches as he grips her undulating waist: So these pure twain espouse And without ravishment, mistrust, or vows Of constancy fulfil their youth; In the rough niches of the wall behind Their meeting heads, how close the trails of ivy wind! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GHOST OF TINTORETTO'S DAUGHTER by RITA SIGNORELLI-PAPPAS CYCLAMENS by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY THE DANCERS by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY A PALIMPSEST by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY AFTER SOUFRIERE by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY AN AEOLIAN HARP by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY ARIADNE by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY EARTH TO EARTH by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY IRIS by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY IRISES by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY IT WAS DEEP APRIL by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY L'INDIFFERENT; WATTEAU; THE LOUVRE by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY |
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