Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 9. PASSION AND WORSHIP by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: ONE FLAME-WINGED BROUGHT A WHITE-WINGED
Last Line: "THIS HARP STILL MAKES MY NAME ITS VOLUNTARY."
Subject(s): PASSION;

ONE flame-winged brought a white-winged harp-player
Even where my lady and I lay all alone;
Saying: "Behold, this minstrel is unknown;
Bid him depart, for I am minstrel here:
Only my strains are to Love's dear ones dear."
Then said I: "Through thine hautboy's rapturous tone
Unto my lady still this harp makes moan,
And still she deems the cadence deep and clear."

Then said my lady: "Thou art Passion of Love,
And this Love's Worship: both he plights to me.
Thy mastering music walks the sunlit sea:
But where wan water trembles in the grove
And the wan moon is all the light thereof,
This harp still makes my name its voluntary."



Home: PoetryExplorer.net