Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SEMELE, by ROSE TERRY COOKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Spirit of light divine! Last Line: Then, clay, in fire depart! Then, soul, in heaven survive! Subject(s): Death; Flowers; Life; Love; Soul; Dead, The | ||||||||
Spirit of light divine! Quick breath of power, Breathe on these lips of mine, Persuade the bud to flower; Cleave thy dull swathe of cloud! no longer waits the hour. Exulting, rapturous flame, Dispel the night! I dare not breathe thy name, I tremble at thy light, Yet come! in fatal strength, -- come, in all matchless might. Burn, as the leaping fire A martyr's shroud; Burn, like an Indian pyre, With music fierce and loud. Come Power! Love calls thee, -- come, with all the god endowed! Immortal life in death, On these rapt eyes, On this quick, failing breath, In dread and glory rise. The altar waits thy torch, -- come, touch the sacrifice! Come! not with gifts of life, Not for my good; My soul hath kept her strife In fear and solitude; More blest the inverted torch, the horror-curdled blood. Better in light to die Than silent live; Rend from these lips one cry, One death-born utterance give, Then, clay, in fire depart! then, soul, in heaven survive! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND |
|