IN the wood with its wide arms overspread, Where the wan morn strives with the waning night, The dim shapes strung like a chaplet dread Shudder, and sway to the left, the right; The soft rays touch them with fingers white As they swing in the leaves of the oak-tree browned, Fruits that the Turk and the Moor would fright -- This is King Lewis his orchard-ground. All of these poor folk, stark and sped, Dreaming (who knows!) of what dead despight, In the freshening breeze by the morning fed Twirl and spin to the mad wind's might; Over them wavers the warm sun bright; Look on them, look on them, skies profound, Look how they dance in the morning light! -- This is King Lewis his orchard-ground. Dead, these dead, in a language dead, Cry to their fellows in evil plight, Day meanwhile thro' the lift o'erhead Dazzles and flames at the blue vault's height; Into the air the dews take flight; Ravens and crows with a jubilant sound Over them, over them, hover and light; -- This is King Lewis his orchard-ground. ENVOY. PRINCE, we wot of no sorrier sight Under the whispering leafage found, Bodies that hang like a hideous blight; -- This is King Lewis his orchard-ground. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BARS FIGHT, AUGUST 28, 1746 by LUCY TERRY THE PROPHET by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE CURFEW TOWER by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES TO EVENING by SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 28 by THOMAS CAMPION |