THOU, Sibyl rapt! whose sympathetic soul Infused the myst'ries thy tongue failed to tell; Though from thy lips the marvellous accents fell, And weird wise meanings o'er the senses stole, Through those rare cadences, with winsome spell; Yet even in such refrainings of thy voice There struggled up a wailing undertone, That spoke thee victim of the Sisters' choice,-- Charming all others, dwelling still alone. They left thee thus disconsolate to roam, And scorned thy dear, devoted life to spare. Around the storm-tost vessel sinking there The wild waves chant thy dirge and welcome home; Survives alone thy sex's valiant plea, And the great heart that loved the brave and free. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE SUN by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE BIRTH OF VENUS by HAYDEN CARRUTH I LOOKED FOR LIFE AND DID A SHADOW SEE by JAMES GALVIN BEFORE A PAINTING by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DILIGENCE IS TO MAGIC AS PROGRESS IS TO FLIGHT by MARIANNE MOORE |