Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN I DO MOCK by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I DO MOCK THE BLACKNESS OF THE NIGHT
Last Line: THAT I MIGHT DROWSE AWAY SUCH RHYMES AS THESE.
Subject(s): DESPAIR; MOON; NIGHT; RHYME; BEDTIME;
When I do mock the blackness of the night
With my despair - outweep the very dews
And wash my wan cheeks stark of all delight,
Denying every counsel of dear use
In mine embittered state; with infinite
Perversity, mine eyes drink in no sight
Of pleasance that nor moon nor stars refuse
In silver largess and gold twinklings bright; --
I question me what mannered brain is mine
That it doth trick me of the very food
It panteth for - the very meat and wine
That yet should plump my starved soul with good
And comfortable plethora of ease,
That I might drowse away such rhymes as these.



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