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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LIGHTS OF LONDON by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE EVENFALL, SO SLOW ON HILLS, HATH SHOT
Last Line: HER TEAR BY DAY, HER FEVERED SMILE BY NIGHT.
Subject(s): LONDON;

THE evenfall, so slow on hills, hath shot
Far down into the valley's cold extreme,
Untimely midnight; spire and roof and stream
Like fleeing spectres, shudder and are not.
The Hampstead hollies, from their sylvan plot
Yet cloudless, lean to watch as in a dream,
From chaos climb with many a sudden gleam,
London, one moment fallen and forgot.

Her booths begin to flare; and gases bright
Prick door and window; all her streets obscure
Sparkle and swarm with nothing true nor sure,
Full as a marsh of mist and winking light;
Heaven thickens over, Heaven that cannot cure
Her tear by day, her fevered smile by night.




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