Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 59. THE ISLE OF PORTLAND by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE STAR-FILLED SEAS ARE SMOOTH TONIGHT
Last Line: THAN EVER YOU FOUND THE DAY.

The star-filled seas are smooth to-night
From France to England strown;
Black towers above the Portland light
The felon-quarried stone.

On yonder island, not to rise,
Never to stir forth free,
Far from his folk a dead lad lies
That once friends with me.

Lie you easy, dream you light,
And sleep you fast for aye;
And luckier may you find the night
Than ever you found the day.




Home: PoetryExplorer.net