Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET by ARTHUR HENRY HALLAM

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY THROBBEST THOU, MY HEART, WHY THICKLY BREATHEST?
Last Line: COURAGE, MY HEART: CHANGE THOU FOR WORDS THY SIGHS.
Subject(s): TENNYSON, EMILY SELLWOOD;

WHY throbbest thou, my heart, why thickly breathest?
I ask no rich and splendid eloquence:
A few words of the warmest and the sweetest
Sure thou mayst yield without such coy pretence:
Open the chamber where affection's voice,
For rare occasions is kept close and fine:
Bid it but say "sweet Emily, be mine,"
So for one boldness thou shalt aye rejoice.
Fain would I speak when the full music-streams
Rise from her lips to linger on her face,
Or like a form floating through Raffaelle's dreams,
Then fixed by him in everliving grace,
She sits i' the silent worship of mine eyes.
Courage, my heart: change thou for words thy sighs.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net