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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ATTADALE WEST HIGHLANDS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: A BLACK AND GLASSY FLOAT, OPAQUE AND STILL
Last Line: STRANGE VOWELS, MYSTERIOUS GUTTURALS, IDLY HEARD.
Subject(s): SCOTLAND;

A black and glassy float, opaque and still,
The loch, at furthest ebb supine in sleep,
Reversing, mirrored in its luminous deep
The calm grey skies; the solemn spurs of hill;
Heather, and corn, and wisps of loitering haze;
The wee white cots, black-hatted, plumed with smoke;
The braes beyond -- and when the ripple awoke,
They wavered with the jarred and wavering glaze.
The air was hushed and dreamy. Evermore
A noise of running water whispered near.
A straggling crow called high and thin. A bird
Trilled from the birch. Round the shingled shore,
Yellow with weed, there wandered, vague and clear,
Strange vowels, mysterious gutturals, idly heard.



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