GENTLEST air, thou breath of lovers, Vapours from a secret fire, Which by thee itself discovers, Ere yet daring to aspire. Softest note of whispered anguish, Harmony's refin'dest part, Striking, while thou seem'st to languish, Full upon the listener's heart. Safest messenger of passion, Stealing through a crowd of spies, Which constrain the outward fashion, Close the lips and guard the eyes. Shapeless sigh! we ne'er can show thee, Formed but to assault the ear; Yet, ere to their cost they know thee, Every nymph may read thee here. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET: TO DANTE by GUIDO CAVALCANTI WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT? by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS THE SANDS OF DEE by CHARLES KINGSLEY MAD WIND by CATHERINE BRADSHAW I KNOW A BROOK by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD THE STUBBORN BELIEVER by BERTON BRALEY |