Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SCENES OF CONWAY, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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THE SCENES OF CONWAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the banks of the conway with rapture I strayed
Last Line: For memory their charms will renew.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Conway (river), Wales


ON the banks of the Conway with rapture I strayed,
While the sunbeam was bright on the flood;
And charmed by the prospect around, I surveyed
The water, the hills, and the wood.

When the curtain of evening was spread o'er the scene,
And sweet was the mild summer gale;
I roved by the side of the river serene,
And gazed on the fisherman's sail.

'Twas thus that I mused, while I wandered away,
Through the towers of the castle sublime;
Where the boughs of the ivy conceal the decay,
Which is made by the ravage of time:

Now the sun is departing with lingering smile,
He sinks in the billows to rest;
How soft are the colours which glow on the pile,
How bright are the clouds of the west.

I could fancy that here to the melody sweet,
Of the tabor, the pipe, and the song,
By moonlight the fairies of Oberon meet,
And trip in the dances along.

In these mouldering towers by the mild placid beam
That silvers the high waving trees,
The poet might listen in fanciful dream,
To the sighs of the murmuring breeze.

'Tis mournful to view these deserted old halls,
Where the harp of the minstrel has rung;
Where the banners of chivalry waved on the walls,
And the bards at the festival sung.

But the turrets o'ermantled with ivy around,
Shall echo to music no more;
No longer the chords of the harp shall resound,
And the carol of gladness is o'er.

These walls have been decked with the trophies of state,
This building was noble and proud;
But short is the sunbeam of fortune and fate,
Like the rainbow which shines in a cloud.

'Twas thus that I mused while I wandered away,
Through the towers of the castle sublime;
Which still are majestic and frown in decay,
Arrayed in the mantle of time.

The woods and the ruins I left with regret,
And bade them with sorrow adieu;
But the scenes of fair Conway I ne'er can forget,
For memory their charms will renew.











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