Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WINTER: 1. DAYBREAK by DAVID MACBETH MOIR

First Line: SLOW CLEAR AWAY THE MISTY SHADES OF MORN
Last Line: O, TAKE NOT IN FIERCE TYRANNIES DELIGHT.
Subject(s): MORNING; WINTER;

SLOW clear away the misty shades of morn,
As sings the Redbreast on the window-sill;
Fade the last stars; the air is stern and still;
And lo! bright frost-work on the leafless thorn.
Why, Day-god, why so late? the tardy heaven
Brightens; and, screaming downwards to the shore
Of the waste sea, the dim-seen gulls pass o'er,
A scatter'd crowd, by natural impulse driven
Home to their element. All yesternight
From spongy ragged clouds pour'd down the rain,
And, in the wind gusts, on the window pane
Rattled aloud; but now the sky grows bright.
Winter! since thou must govern us again,
O, take not in fierce tyrannies delight.



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