Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHPEHERD'S HOUR by PAUL VERLAINE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: THE MOON IS RED THROUGH HORIZON'S FOG
Last Line: PALE, VENUS APPEARS, AND IT IS NIGHT.
Subject(s): NIGHT; BEDTIME;
The moon is red through horizon's fog;
In a dancing mist the hazy meadow
Sleeps; by green rushes a frog
Calls, there where movement quivers;

Water flowers fold their petals now;
In the distance, tall and in close array
Poplars outline their shadowy forms;
Towards the thickets the fireflies stray;

The screech owls wake, and soundlessly
Beat the dark air with heavy wings,
And the heaven is filled with muffled light.
Pale, Venus appears, and it is Night.



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