BRIGHTLY shone the brow of Dante, In those years of early youth, When his Beatrice, like an angel, Rose before him in her truth. And he sang in happy music, All the beauty that she bore- Sang her maiden truth and sweetness- Made her famous evermore. In that golden time what worship Rang with most melodious chime From his inmost haunt of being, Making all his life sublime. Cool and sweet was then the laurel, Clasping his unfurrow'd brow, Glowing with the future gladness, And the lover's faith and vow. Thus I like to think of Dante, As he stept in light along; Worshipping in golden visions, She who came and woke his song. But I turn away in sadness From the pain, and gloom, and tears, Rising upward with that vision, In the midway of his years: Turn away from all its shadows, To that first sweet spring of song, When his Beatrice starr'd his youthtime, And his soul had felt no wrong. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOCKED OUT; AS TOLD TO A CHILD by ROBERT FROST DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 4. THE LOTTERY GIRL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON JOHN WILKES BOOTH AT THE FARM (JANUARY 12, 1848) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A LETTER ON THE USE OF MACHINE GUNS AT WEDDINGS by KENNETH PATCHEN AN EVANGELIST'S WIFE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON WE HAVE GONE THROUGH GREAT ROOMS TOGETHER by CARL SANDBURG DEXTER GORDON: COPENHAGEN/AVERY FISHER HALL by KAREN SWENSON |