|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DREAM, by APHRA BEHN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The grove was gloomy all around Last Line: For I was still a slave. Alternate Author Name(s): Astraea; Behn, Afara; Behn, Apharra; Amis, Ayfara Subject(s): Dreams; Nightmares | |||
The grove was gloomy all around, Murmuring the stream did pass, Where fond Astraea laid her down Upon a bed of grass; I slept and saw a piteous sight, Cupid a-weeping lay, Till both his little stars of light Had wept themselves away. Methought I asked him why he cried; My pity led me on, -- All sighing the sad boy replied, "Alas! I am undone! As I beneath yon myrtles lay, Down by Diana's springs, Amyntas stole my bow away, And pinioned both my wings." "Alas!" I cried, "'twas then thy darts Wherewith he wounded me? Thou mighty deity of hearts, He stole his power from thee? Revenge thee, if a god thou be, Upon the amorous swain, I'll set thy wings at liberty, And thou shalt fly again; And, for this service on my part, All I demand of thee, Is, wound Amyntas' cruel heart, And make him die for me." His silken fetters I untied, And those gay wings displayed, Which gently fanned, he mounting cried, "Farewell, fond easy maid!" At this I blushed, and angry grew I should a god believe, And waking found my dream too true, For I was still a slave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VARIATIONS: 14 by CONRAD AIKEN VARIATIONS: 18 by CONRAD AIKEN LIVE IT THROUGH by DAVID IGNATOW A DREAM OF GAMES by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE DREAM OF WAKING by RANDALL JARRELL APOLOGY FOR BAD DREAMS by ROBINSON JEFFERS |
|