Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WANDERER: 5. IN HOLLAND: A GHOST STORY, by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WANDERER: 5. IN HOLLAND: A GHOST STORY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I lay awake past midnight
Last Line: "pray do not be afraid!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Owen; Lytton, 1st Earl Of; Lytton, Robert
Subject(s): Ghosts; Netherlands; Supernatural; Travel; Holland; Dutch People; Journeys; Trips


I LAY awake past midnight:
The moon set o'er the snow:
The very cocks, for coldness,
Could neither sleep nor crow.

There came to me, near morning,
A woman pale and fair:
She seemed a monarch's daughter,
By the red gold round her hair.

The ring upon her finger
Was one that well I know:
I knew her fair face also,
For I had loved it so!

But I felt I saw a spirit,
And I was sore afraid;
For it is many and many a year
Ago, since she was dead.

I would have spoken to her,
But I could not speak, for fear:
Because it was a homeless ghost
That walked beyond its sphere;

Till her head from her white shoulders
She lifted up: and said...
"Look in! you'll find I'm hollow.
Pray do not be afraid!"





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net