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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHADOWY WATERS: THE HARP OF AENGUS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: EDAIN CAME OUT OF MIDHIR'S HILL, AND LAY
Last Line: BUT FAITHFUL LOVERS.
Subject(s): MYTHOLOGY – IRISH;
@3Edain came out of Midhir's hill, and lay
Beside young Aengus in his tower of glass,
Where time is drowned in odour-laden winds
And Druid moons, and murmuring of boughs,
And sleepy boughs, and boughs where apples made
Of opal and ruby and pale chrysolite
Awake unsleeping fires; and wove seven strings,
Sweet with all music, out of his long hair,
Because her hands had been made wild by love.
When Midhir's wife had changed her to a fly,
He made a harp with Druid apple-wood
That she among her winds might know he wept;
And from that hour he has watched over none
But faithful lovers.@1



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