Maiden with the dreaming eyes, Thou didst never watch the Nile; And the blue Boeotian skies On thy birthplace did not smile. But the Sphinx, who formed thy ways, Left thee heiress of her art, Taught those questions that now raise Terrors in thy lover's heart. "Who will tell the dream I see, Write the song my heart-beats sing? He revealing this to me, When he comes shall be my king." Woe to him who mumbleth here, Words that are unmeaning breath. Woe to him! Let dreadful fear Hold his steps -- they lead to death. And the Sphinx with starry eyes, Saldly sees the sons of men Round her pathway fall and die. How can she be but maiden then? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAREWELL TO HIS WIFE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE: 1 by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL JOURNEY by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY SAINT AGNES' EVE by ALFRED TENNYSON THE OWL (1) by ALFRED TENNYSON EIGHTEEN SIXTY-ONE by WALT WHITMAN |