Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CURFEW SONG OF ENGLAND, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hark! From the dim church-tower Last Line: With a thought of the olden days. Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): England; Past; English | ||||||||
HARK! from the dim church-tower, The deep, slow curfew's chime! A heavy sound unto hall and bower, In England's olden time! Sadly 'twas heard by him who came From the fields of his toil at night, And who might not see his own hearth's flame In his children's eyes make light. Sadly and sternly heard As it quenched the wood-fire's glow, Which had cheered the board, with the mirthful word, And the red wine's foaming flow; Until that sullen, booming knell, Flung out from every fane, On harp and lip, and spirit fell, With a weight, and with a chain. Woe for the wanderer then In the wild-deer's forests far! No cottage-lamp, to the haunts of men, Might guide him as a star. And woe for him whose wakeful soul, With lone aspirings filled, Would have lived o'er some immortal scroll, While the sounds of earth were stilled. And yet a deeper woe, For the watchers by the bed, Where the fondly loved, in pain lay low, And rest forsook the head. For the mother, doomed unseen to keep By the dying babe her place, And to feel its flitting pulse, and weep, Yet not behold its face! Darkness, in chieftain's hall! Darkness, in peasant's cot! While Freedom, under that shadowy pall, Sat mourning o'er her lot. Oh! the fireside's peace we well may prize, For blood hath flowed like rain, Poured forth to make sweet sanctuaries Of England's homes again! Heap the yule-fagots high, Till the red light fills the room! It is home's own hour, when the stormy sky Grows thick with evening gloom. Gather ye round the holy hearth, And by its gladdening blaze, Unto thankful bliss we will change our mirth, With a thought of the olden days. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NINETEEN FORTY by NORMAN DUBIE GHOSTS IN ENGLAND by ROBINSON JEFFERS STAYING UP FOR ENGLAND by LIAM RECTOR STONE AND FLOWER by KENNETH REXROTH THE HANGED MAN by KENNETH REXROTH ENGLISH TRAIN COMPARTMENT by JOHN UPDIKE A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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