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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNETS ON ENGLISH DRAMATIC POETS: 17. ANONYMOUS PLAYS by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: YE TOO, DIM WATCHFIRES OF SOME DARKLING HOUR
Last Line: BETWEEN TWO CHILD-FACED MASKS OF MERRIER DAYS.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS;

YE too, dim watchfires of some darkling hour,
Whose fame forlorn time saves not nor proclaims
Forever, but forgetfulness defames
And darkness and the shadow of death devour,
Lift up ye too your light, put forth your power,
Let the far twilight feel your soft small flames
And smile, albeit night name not even their names,
Ghost by ghost passing, flower blown down on flower:
That sweet-tongued shadow, like a star's that passed
Singing, and light was from its darkness cast
To paint the face of Painting fair with praise:
And that wherein forefigured smiles the pure
Fraternal face of Wordsworth's Elidure
Between two child-faced masks of merrier days.



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