Edgar Allan Poe - all poems

8/13/2019 Edgar Allan Poe - all poems

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COMPLETE COLLECTION OF POEMS

BY

Edgar Allan Poe

(Born January 19, 1809, Died October 7, 1849)

These trifles are collected and reublished chiefly !ith a "ie! to theirrede#tion fro# the #any i#ro"e#ents to !hich they ha"e been sub$ected

!hile %oin% at rando# &the rounds of the ress'& a# naturally anious that

!hat ha"e !ritten should circulate as !rote it, if it circulate at all' n

defence of #y o!n taste, ne"ertheless, it is incu#bent uon #e to say that

thin* nothin% in this "olu#e of #uch "alue to the ublic, or "ery creditable to

#yself' +"ents not to be controlled ha"e re"ented #e fro# #a*in%, at any

ti#e, any serious effort in !hat, under haier curcu#stances, !ould ha"e

been not a urose, but a assion and the assions should be held in

re"erence they #ust not - they cannot at !ill be ecited, !ith an eye to the

altry co#ensations, or the #ore altry co##endations of #an*ind'


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A wreath that twine" each starry form aroun"

An" all the o$al" air in color boun"*

All hurrie"ly she knelt u$on a be"

Of flowers3 of lilies such as rear" the hea" On the fair %a$o 4eucato an" s$rang

#o eagerly aroun" about to hang

5$on the flying footste$s of& "ee$ $ri"e& Of her who lov" a mortal& an" so "ie"*

The #e$halica bu""ing with young bees

5$reare" its $ur$le stem aroun" her knees3&

An" gemmy flower of Trebi6on" misnam"& Inmate of highest stars where erst it sham"

All other loveliness3& its honie" "ew

(The fable" nectar that the heathen knew)

4eliriously sweet was "ro$$" from ,eaven An" fell on gar"ens of the unforgiven

In Trebi6on"& an" on a sunny flower #o like its own above that to this hour

It still remaineth torturing the bee

0ith ma"ness an" unwonte" reverie3 In ,eaven an" all its environs the leaf

An" blossom of the fairy $lant in grief

4isconsolate linger& grief that hangs her hea"

Re$enting follies that full long have Re" ,eaving her white breast to the balmy air

ike guilty beauty chasten" an" more fair3

+yctanthes too as sacre" as the light #he fears to $erfume $erfuming the night3

An" %lytia $on"ering between many a sun

0hile $ettish tears a"own her $etals run3 An" that as$iring flower that s$rang on -arth

An" "ie" ere scarce e7alte" into birth

Bursting its o"orous heart in s$irit to wing

Its way to ,eaven from gar"en of a king3 An" 8alisnerian lotus thither flown1

2rom struggling with the waters of the Rhone3

An" thy most lovely $ur$le $erfume 9ante! Isola "oro!& 2ior "i evante!

An" the +elumbo bu" that floats for ever

0ith In"ian %u$i" "own the holy river& 2air flowers an" fairy! to whose care is given

To bear the .o""ess song in o"ors u$ to ,eaven3

1#$irit! that "wellest where


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In the "ee$ sky

The terrible an" fair

In beauty vie! Beyon" the line of blue&

The boun"ary of the star

0hich turneth at the view Of thy barrier an" thy bar&

Of the barrier overgone

By the comets who were cast 2rom their $ri"e an" from their throne

To be "ru"ges till the last&

To be carriers of fire

(The re" fire of their heart) 0ith s$ee" that may not tire

An" with $ain that shall not $art&

0ho livest& that we know&

In -ternity& we feel& But the sha"ow of whose brow

0hat s$irit shall reveal: Tho the beings whom thy +esace

Thy messenger hath known

,ave "ream" for thy Infinity A mo"el of their own&

Thy will is "one O .o"!

The star hath ri""en high

Thro many a tem$est but she ro"e Beneath thy burning eye;

An" here in thought to thee&

In thought that can alone Ascen" thy em$ire an" so be

A $artner of thy throne&

By winge" 2antasy


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All +ature s$eaks an" evn i"eal things

2la$ sha"owy soun"s from visionary wings&

But ah! not so when thus in realms on high The eternal voice of .o" is $assing by

An" the re" win"s are withering in the sky3&

10hat tho in worl"s which sightless cycles run

inke" to a little system an" one sun&

0here all my love is folly an" the crow" #till think my terrors but the thun"er clou"

The storm the earth/uake an" the ocean&wrath&

(Ah! will they cross me in my angrier $ath:)

0hat tho in worl"s which own a single sun The san"s of Time grow "immer as they run

et thine is my res$len"ency so given

To bear my secrets thro the u$$er ,eaven!

eave tenantless thy crystal home an" fly

0ith all thy train athwart the moony sky& A$art& like fire&flies in #icilian night

An" wing to other worl"s another light!

4ivulge the secrets of thy embassy To the $rou" orbs that twinkle& an" so be

To evry heart a barrier an" a ban

est the stars totter in the guilt of man!1

5$ rose the mai"en in the yellow night

The single&moone" eve!& on -arth we $light

Our faith to one love& an" one moon a"ore& The birth&$lace of young Beauty ha" no more*

As s$rang that yellow star from "owny hours

5$ rose the mai"en from her shrine of flowers An" bent oer sheeny mountains an" "im $lain

,er way but left not yet her Therasaean reign*

PART II

,igh on a mountain of enamell" hea"&

#uch as the "rowsy she$her" on his be" Of giant $asturage lying at his ease

Raising his heavy eyeli" starts an" sees

0ith many a mutter" 1ho$e to be forgiven1 0hat time the moon is /ua"rate" in ,eaven&

Of rosy hea" that towering far away

Into the sunlit ether caught the ray

Of sunken suns at eve& at noon of night


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0hile the moon "anc" with the fair stranger light&

5$rear" u$on such height arose a $ile

Of gorgeous columns on th unburthen" air 2lashing from Parian marble that twin smile

2ar "own u$on the wave that s$arkle" there

An" nursle" the young mountain in its lair* Of molten stars their $avement such as fall

Thro the ebon air besilvering the $all

Of their own "issolution while they "ie& A"orning then the "wellings of the sky*

A "ome by linke" light from ,eaven let "own

#at gently on these columns as a crown&

A win"ow of one circular "iamon" there ook" out above into the $ur$le air

An" rays from .o" shot "own that meteor chain

An" hallow" all the beauty twice again

#ave when between th em$yrean an" that ring #ome eager s$irit 2la$$" his "usky wing*

But on the $illars #era$h eyes have seen The "imness of this worl"3 that greyish green

That +ature loves the best Beautys grave

urk" in each cornice roun" each architrave& An" every scul$tur" cherub thereabout

That from his marble "welling $eere" out

#eem" earthly in the sha"ow of his niche&

Achaian statues in a worl" so rich! 2rie6es from Ta"mor an" Perse$olis&

2rom Balbec an" the stilly clear abyss

Of beautiful .omorrah! O the wave Is now u$on thee& but too late to save!

#oun" loves to revel in a summer night3 0itness the murmur of the grey twilight

That stole u$on the ear in -yraco

Of many a wil" star&ga6er long ago&

That stealeth ever on the ear of him 0ho musing ga6eth on the "istance "im

An" sees the "arkness coming as a clou"&

Is not its form& its voice& most $al$able an" lou":

But what is this:& it cometh an" it brings

A music with it& tis the rush of wings& A $ause& an" then a swee$ing falling strain

An" +esace is in her halls again*

2rom the wil" energy of wanton haste

,er cheeks were flushing an" her li$s a$art;


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An" 6one that clung aroun" her gentle waist

,a" burst beneath the heaving of her heart*

0ithin the centre of that hall to breathe #he $ause" an" $ante" 9anthe! all beneath

The fairy light that kiss" her gol"en hair

An" long" to rest yet coul" but s$arkle there*

oung flowers were whis$ering in melo"y

To ha$$y flowers that night& an" tree to tree; 2ountains were gushing music as they fell

In many a star&lit grove or moon&lit "ell;

et silence came u$on material things&

2air flowers bright waterfalls an" angel wings& An" soun" alone that from the s$irit s$rang

Bore burthen to the charm the mai"en sang3

1+eath the blue&bell or streamer& Or tufte" wil" s$ray

That kee$s from the "reamer The moonbeam away&

Bright beings! that $on"er

0ith half closing eyes On the stars which your won"er

,ath "rawn from the skies

Till they glance thro the sha"e an"

%ome "own to your brow ike& eyes of the mai"en

0ho calls on you now&

Arise! from your "reaming In violet bowers

To "uty beseeming

These star&litten hours& An" shake from your tresses

-ncumber" with "ew

The breath of those kisses

That cumber them too& (O! how without you ove!

%oul" angels be blest:)

Those kisses of true ove That lull" ye to rest!

5$!& shake from your wing

-ach hin"ering thing3 The "ew of the night&

It woul" weigh "own your flight

An" true love caresses&

O leave them a$art!


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They are light on the tresses

But lea" on the heart*

igeia! igeia!

ewel its breast&

0here wil" flowers cree$ing

,ave mingle" their sha"e On its margin is slee$ing

2ull many a mai"&

#ome have left the cool gla"e an"

,ave sle$t with the bee&


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Arouse them my mai"en

On moorlan" an" lea&

.o! breathe on their slumber All softly in ear

Thy musical number

They slumbere" to hear& 2or what can awaken

An angel so soon

0hose slee$ hath been taken Beneath the col" moon

As the s$ell which no slumber

Of witchery may test

The rhythmical number 0hich lull" him to rest:1

#$irits in wing an" angels to the view

A thousan" sera$hs burst th -m$yrean thro oung "reams still hovering on their "rowsy flight&

#era$hs in all but 1?nowle"ge1 the keen light That fell refracte" thro thy boun"s afar

O 4eath! from eye of .o" u$on that star3

#weet was that error& sweeter still that "eath& #weet was that error& even with us the breath

Of #cience "ims the mirror of our >oy&

To them twere the #imoom an" woul" "estroy&

2or what (to them) availeth it to know That Truth is 2alsehoo"& or that Bliss is 0oe:

#weet was their "eath& with them to "ie was rife

0ith the last ecstasy of satiate life& Beyon" that "eath no immortality&

But slee$ that $on"ereth an" is not 1to be!&

An" there& oh! may my weary s$irit "well& A$art from ,eavens -ternity& an" yet how far from ,ell!

0hat guilty s$irit in what shrubbery "im

,ear" not the stirring summons of that hymn:

But two3 they fell3 for ,eaven no grace im$arts To those who hear not for their beating hearts*

A mai"en&angel an" her sera$h&lover&

O! where (an" ye may seek the wi"e skies over) 0as ove the blin" near sober 4uty known:

5ngui"e" ove hath fallen& mi" 1tears of $erfect moan*1

,e was a goo"ly s$irit& he who fell3 A wan"erer by moss&y&mantle" well&

A ga6er on the lights that shine above&

A "reamer in the moonbeam by his love3

0hat won"er: for each star is eye&like there


10/50

An" looks so sweetly "own on Beautys hair&

An" they an" evry mossy s$ring were holy

To his love&haunte" heart an" melancholy* The night ha" foun" (to him a night of woe)

5$on a mountain crag young Angelo&

Beetling it ben"s athwart the solemn sky An" scowls on starry worl"s that "own beneath it lie*

,ere sat he with his love& his "ark eye bent

0ith eagle ga6e along the firmament3 +ow turn" it u$on her& but ever then

It tremble" to the orb of -ART, again*

1Ianthe "earest see& how "im that ray! ,ow lovely tis to look so far away!

#he seem" not thus u$on that autumn eve

I left her gorgeous halls& nor mourn" to leave*

That eve& that eve& I shoul" remember well& The sun&ray "ro$$" in emnos with a s$ell

On th arabes/ue carving of a gil"e" hall 0herein I sate an" on the "ra$erie" wall&

An" on my eyeli"s& O the heavy light!

,ow "rowsily it weigh" them into night! On flowers before an" mist an" love they ran

0ith Persian #aa"i in his .ulistan3

But O that light!& I slumber"& 4eath the while

#tole oer my senses in that lovely isle #o softly that no single silken hair

Awoke that sle$t& or knew that he was there*

1The last s$ot of -arths orb I tro" u$on

0as a $rou" tem$le call" the Parthenon;


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An" womans loveliness& an" $assionate love*1

1But list Ianthe! when the air so soft 2ail" as my $ennon" s$irit lea$t aloft

Perha$s my brain grew "i66y& but the worl"

I left so late was into chaos hurl"& #$rang from her station on the win"s a$art*

An" roll" a flame the fiery ,eaven athwart*


12/50

Alone

2rom chil"hoo"s hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen

As others saw; I coul" not bring


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Annabel Lee

It was many an" many a year ago In a king"om by the sea

That a mai"en there live" whom you may know By the name of A++AB- --;

An" this mai"en she live" with no other thought

Than to love an" be love" by me*

I was a chil" an" she was a chil"

In this king"om by the sea; But we love" with a love that was more than love&

I an" my Annabel ee;

0ith a love that the winge" sera$hs of heaven %ovete" her an" me*

An" this was the reason that long ago

In this king"om by the sea A win" blew out of a clou" chilling


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Of the bells bells bellsbells

Bells bells bells&

To the rhyming an" the chiming of the bells!

III

,ear the lou" alarum bells&

Bra6en bells! 0hat a tale of terror now their turbulency tells!

In the startle" ear of night

,ow they scream out their affright!

Too much horrifie" to s$eak They can only shriek shriek

Out of tune

In a clamorous a$$ealing to the mercy of the fire

In a ma" e7$ostulation with the "eaf an" frantic fire ea$ing higher higher higher

0ith a "es$erate "esire An" a resolute en"eavor

+ow& now to sit or never

By the si"e of the $ale&face" moon* Oh the bells bells bells!

0hat a tale their terror tells

Of 4es$air!

,ow they clang an" clash an" roar! 0hat a horror they out$our

On the bosom of the $al$itating air!

et the ear it fully knows By the twanging

An" the clanging

,ow the "anger ebbs an" flows3 et the ear "istinctly tells

In the >angling

An" the wrangling

,ow the "anger sinks an" swells By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells&

Of the bells&

Of the bells bells bellsbells Bells bells bells&

In the clamor an" the clangor of the bells!

I8

,ear the tolling of the bells&

Iron Bells!


16/50

0hat a worl" of solemn thought their mono"y com$els!

In the silence of the night

,ow we shiver with affright At the melancholy menace of their tone!

2or every soun" that floats

2rom the rust within their throats Is a groan*

An" the $eo$le& ah the $eo$le&

They that "well u$ in the stee$le All Alone

An" who tolling tolling tolling

In that muffle" monotone

2eel a glory in so rolling On the human heart a stone&

They are neither man nor woman&

They are neither brute nor human&

They are .houls3 An" their king it is who tolls;

An" he rolls rolls rolls Rolls

A $aean from the bells!

An" his merry bosom swells 0ith the $aean of the bells!

An" he "ances an" he yells;

?ee$ing time time time

In a sort of Runic rhyme To the $aean of the bells&

Of the bells3

?ee$ing time time time In a sort of Runic rhyme

To the throbbing of the bells&

Of the bells bells bells& To the sobbing of the bells;

?ee$ing time time time

As he knells knells knells

In a ha$$y Runic rhyme To the rolling of the bells&

Of the bells bells bells3

To the tolling of the bells Of the bells bells bells bells&

Bells bells bells&

To the moaning an" the groaning of the bells*


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The Bridal Ballad

The ring is on my han"

An" the wreath is on my brow; #atin an" >ewels gran"

Are all at my comman"

An" I am ha$$y now*

An" my lor" he loves me well;

But when first he breathe" his vow I felt my bosom swell&

2or the wor"s rang as a knell

An" the voice seeme" his who fell In the battle "own the "ell

An" who is ha$$y now*

But he s$oke to re&assure me An" he kisse" my $alli" brow

0hile a reverie came oer me

An" to the church&yar" bore me An" I sighe" to him before me

Thinking him "ea" 4-lormie

1Oh I am ha$$y now!1

An" thus the wor"s were s$oken

An" this the $lighte" vow

An" though my faith be broken An" though my heart be broken

,ere is a ring as token

That I am ha$$y now!

0oul" .o" I coul" awaken!

2or I "ream I know not how! An" my soul is sorely shaken

est an evil ste$ be taken& est the "ea" who is forsaken


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The City In the Sea

o! 4eath has reare" himself a throne In a strange city lying alone

2ar "own within the "im 0est

0here the goo" an" the ba" an" the worst an" the best ,ave gone to their eternal rest*

There shrines an" $alaces an" towers

(Time&eaten towers that tremble not!) Resemble nothing that is ours*

Aroun" by lifting win"s forgot

Resigne"ly beneath the sky The melancholy waters lie*

+o rays from the holy heaven come "own

On the long night&time of that town; But light from out the luri" sea

#treams u$ the turrets silently&

.leams u$ the $innacles far an" free& 5$ "omes& u$ s$ires& u$ kingly halls&

5$ fanes& u$ Babylon&like walls&

5$ sha"owy long&forgotten bowers

Of scul$ture" ivy an" stone flowers& 5$ many an" many a marvellous shrine

0hose wreathe" frie6es intertwine

The viol the violet an" the vine* Resigne"ly beneath the sky

The melancholy waters lie*

#o blen" the turrets an" sha"ows there That all seem $en"ulous in air

0hile from a $rou" tower in the town

4eath looks gigantically "own*

There o$en fanes an" ga$ing graves awn level with the luminous waves;

But not the riches there that lie In each i"ols "iamon" eye&

+ot the gaily&>ewelle" "ea"

Tem$t the waters from their be"; 2or no ri$$les curl alas!

Along that wil"erness of glass&


19/50

+o swellings tell that win"s may be

5$on some far&off ha$$ier sea&

+o heavings hint that win"s have been On seas less hi"eously serene*

But lo a stir is in the air! The wave& there is a movement there!

As if the towers ha" thrust asi"e

In slightly sinking the "ull ti"e& As if their to$s ha" feebly given

A voi" within the filmy ,eaven*

The waves have now a re""er glow&

The hours are breathing faint an" low& An" when ami" no earthly moans

4own "own that town shall settle hence

,ell rising from a thousan" thrones

#hall "o it reverence*

The Coliseum

Ty$e of the anti/ue Rome! Rich reli/uary

Of lofty contem$lation left to Time By burie" centuries of $om$ an" $ower!

At length& at length& after so many "ays Of weary $ilgrimage an" burning thirst (Thirst for the s$rings of lore that in thee lie)

I kneel an altere" an" an humble man

Ami" thy sha"ows an" so "rink within


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0ave" to the win" now wave the ree" an" thistle!

,ere where on gol"en throne the monarch lolle"

.li"es s$ectre&like unto his marble home it by the wan light of the horne" moon

The swift an" silent li6ar" of the stones!

But stay! these walls& these ivy&cla" arca"es&

These mol"ering $linths& these sa" an" blackene" shafts&

These vague entablatures& this crumbling frie6e& These shattere" cornices& this wreck& this ruin&

These stones& alas! these grey stones& are they all&

All of the fame" an" the colossal left

By the corrosive ,ours to 2ate an" me:

1+ot all1& the -choes answer me& 1not all!

Pro$hetic soun"s an" lou" arise forever

2rom us an" from all Ruin unto the wise As melo"y from


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That holy "ream& that holy "ream

0hile all the worl" were chi"ing ,ath cheere" me as a lovely beam

A lonely s$irit gui"ing*

0hat though that light thro storm an" night

#o tremble" from afar&

0hat coul" there be more $urely bright In Truths "ay&star:

Dreamland

By a route obscure an" lonely

,aunte" by ill angels only 0here an -i"olon name" +I.,T

On a black throne reigns u$right

I have reache" these lan"s but newly

2rom an ultimate "im Thule& 2rom a wil" clime that lieth sublime

Out of #PA%-& out of TI


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24/50

I the summer sky in "reams of living light

An" loveliness& have left my very heart

In climes of my imagining a$art 2rom mine own home with beings that have been

Of mine own thought& what more coul" I have seen:

Twas once& an" only once& an" the wil" hour 2rom my remembrance shall not $ass& some $ower

Or s$ell ha" boun" me& twas the chilly win"

%ame oer me in the night an" left behin" Its image on my s$irit& or the moon

#hone on my slumbers in her lofty noon

Too col"ly& or the stars& howeer it was

That "ream was as that night&win"& let it $ass*

I have been ha$$y tho in a "ream*

I have been ha$$y& an" I love the theme3

4reams! in their vivi" coloring of life As in that fleeting sha"owy misty strife

Of semblance with reality which brings To the "elirious eye more lovely things

Of Para"ise an" ove& an" all our own!

Than young ,o$e in his sunniest hour hath known*

A Dream Within a Dream

Take this kiss u$on the brow!

An" in $arting from you now Thus much let me avow&

ou are not wrong who "eem

That my "ays have been a "ream; et if ho$e has flown away

In a night or in a "ay

In a vision or in none Is it therefore the less gone:

All that we see or seem

Is but a "ream within a "ream*

I stan" ami" the roar Of a surf&tormente" shore

An" I hol" within my han" .rains of the gol"en san"&

,ow few! yet how they cree$

Through my fingers to the "ee$ 0hile I wee$& while I wee$!

O .o"! can I not gras$


25/50

Them with a tighter clas$:

O .o"! can I not save

One from the $itiless wave: Is all that we see or seem

But a "ream within a "ream:

Eldorado

.aily be"ight

A gallant knight

In sunshine an" in sha"ow ,a" >ourneye" long

#inging a song

In search of -l"ora"o*

But he grew ol"&

This knight so bol"& An" oer his heart a sha"ow

2ell as he foun"

+o s$ot of groun"

That looke" like -l"ora"o*

An" as his strength

2aile" him at length ,e met a $ilgrim sha"ow&

1#ha"ow1 sai" he

10here can it be&

This lan" of -l"ora"o:1

1Over the


26/50

The muses thro their bowers of Truth or 2iction

,as stu"ie" very little of his $art

Rea" nothing written less & in shorts a fool -n"ue" with neither soul nor sense nor art

Being ignorant of one im$ortant rule

-m$loye" in even the theses of the school& %alle" & I forget the heathenish .reek name

@%alle" anything its meaning is the same

1Always write first things u$$ermost in the heart*1

An Enigma

1#el"om we fin"1 says #olomon 4on 4unce

1,alf an i"ea in the $rofoun"est sonnet*

Through all the flimsy things we see at once As easily as through a +a$les bonnet&

Trash of all trash!& how can a la"y "on it:

et heavier far than your Petrarchan stuff&

Owl&"owny nonsense that the faintest $uff Twirls into trunk&$a$er the while you con it*1

An" veritably #ol is right enough*

The general tuckermanities are arrant Bubbles& e$hemeral an" so trans$arent&

But this is now& you may "e$en" u$on it&

#table o$a/ue immortal& all by "int

Of the "ear names that he conceale" within t*


27/50

Eulalie

I "welt alone

In a worl" of moan An" my soul was a stagnant ti"e

Till the fair an" gentle -ulalie became my blushing bri"e&

Till the yellow&haire" young -ulalie became my smiling bri"e*

Ah less& less bright

The stars of the night Than the eyes of the ra"iant girl!

That the va$or can make

0ith the moon&tints of $ur$le an" $earl %an vie with the mo"est -ulalies most unregar"e" curl&

%an com$are with the bright&eye" -ulalies most humble an" careless

curl*

+ow 4oubt& now Pain

%ome never again

2or her soul gives me sigh for sigh An" all "ay long

#hines bright an" strong

Astarte within the sky

0hile ever to her "ear -ulalie u$turns her matron eye& 0hile ever to her young -ulalie u$turns her violet eye*

Evening Star

Twas noonti"e of summer An" mi"&time of night;

An" stars in their orbits

#hone $ale thro the lightOf the brighter col" moon


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There $ass" as a shrou"

A fleecy clou"

An" I turne" away to thee Prou" -vening #tar

In thy glory afar

An" "earer thy beam shall be; 2or >oy to my heart

Is the $rou" $art

Thou bearest in ,eaven at night An" more I a"mire

Thy "istant fire

Than that col"er lowly light*

airy!Land

4im vales& an" sha"owy floo"s&

An" clou"y&looking woo"s

0hose forms we cant "iscover

2or the tears that "ri$ all over! ,uge moons there wa7 an" wane&

Again& again& again&

-very moment of the night& 2orever changing $laces&

An" they $ut out the star&light

0ith the breath from their $ale faces*

About twelve by the moon&"ial One more filmy than the rest

(A kin" which u$on trial

They have foun" to be the best) %omes "own& still "own& an" "own

0ith its centre on the crown

Of a mountains eminence 0hile its wi"e circumference

In easy "ra$ery falls

Over hamlets over halls 0herever they may be&

Oer the strange woo"s& oer the sea& Over s$irits on the wing&

Over every "rowsy thing& An" buries them u$ /uite

In a labyrinth of light&

An" then how "ee$!& O "ee$! Is the $assion of their slee$*

In the morning they arise


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An" their moony covering

Is soaring in the skies

0ith the tem$ests as they toss ike& almost anything&

Or a yellow Albatross*

They use that moon no more 2or the same en" as before&

8i"elicet a tent&

0hich I think e7travagant3 Its atomies however

Into a shower "issever

Of which those butterflies

Of -arth who seek the skies An" so come "own again

(+ever&contente" things!)

,ave brought a s$ecimen

5$on their /uivering wings*

or Annie

Thank ,eaven! the crisis&

The "anger is $ast

An" the lingering illness Is over at last&

An" the fever calle" 1iving1

Is con/uere" at last*

#a"ly I know

I am shorn of my strength

An" no muscle I move As I lie at full length&

But no matter!&I feel

I am better at length*

An" I rest so com$ose"ly

+ow in my be" That any behol"er


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At heart3& ah that horrible

,orrible throbbing!

The sickness& the nausea&

The $itiless $ain&

,ave cease" with the fever That ma""ene" my brain&

0ith the fever calle" 1iving1

That burne" in my brain*

An" oh! of all tortures

That torture the worst

,as abate"& the terrible Torture of thirst

2or the na$hthaline river

Of Passion accurst3&

I have "runk of a water That /uenches all thirst3&

Of a water that flows

0ith a lullaby soun"

2rom a s$ring but a very few 2eet un"er groun"&

2rom a cavern not very far

4own un"er groun"*

An" ah! let it never

Be foolishly sai"

That my room it is gloomy An" narrow my be";

2or man never sle$t

In a "ifferent be"& An" to slee$ you must slumber

In >ust such a be"*


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A rosemary o"or

%ommingle" with $ansies&

0ith rue an" the beautiful Puritan $ansies*

An" so it lies ha$$ily Bathing in many

A "ream of the truth

An" the beauty of Annie& 4rowne" in a bath

Of the tresses of Annie*

#he ten"erly kisse" me #he fon"ly caresse"

An" then I fell gently

To slee$ on her breast&

4ee$ly to slee$ 2rom the heaven of her breast*

0hen the light was e7tinguishe"

#he covere" me warm

An" she $raye" to the angels To kee$ me from harm&

To the /ueen of the angels

To shiel" me from harm*

An" I lie so com$ose"ly

+ow in my be"

(?nowing her love) That you fancy me "ea"&

An" I rest so contente"ly

+ow in my be" (0ith her love at my breast)

That you fancy me "ea"&

That you shu""er to look at me

Thinking me "ea"*

But my heart it is brighter

Than all of the many #tars in the sky

2or it s$arkles with Annie&

It glows with the light Of the love of my Annie&

0ith the thought of the light

Of the eyes of my Annie*


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Banners yellow glorious gol"en

On its roof "i" float an" flow

(This& all this& was in the ol"en Time long ago)

An" every gentle air that "allie"

In that sweet "ay Along the ram$arts $lume" an" $alli"

A winge" o"or went away*

0an"erers in that ha$$y valley

Through two luminous win"ows saw

#$irits moving musically

To a lutes well&tune" law Roun" about a throne where sitting

(Por$hyrogene!)

In state his glory well&befitting

The ruler of the realm was seen*

An" all with $earl an" ruby glowing 0as the fair $alace "oor

Through which came flowing flowing flowing

An" s$arkling evermore A troo$ of -choes whose sweet "uty

0as but to sing

In voices of sur$assing beauty

The wit an" wis"om of their king*

But evil things in robes of sorrow

Assaile" the monarchs high estate* (Ah let us mourn!& for never morrow

#hall "awn u$on him "esolate!)

An" roun" about his home the glory That blushe" an" bloome"

Is but a "im&remembere" story

Of the ol" time entombe"*

An" travellers now within that valley

Through the re"&litten win"ows see

8ast forms that move fantastically To a "iscor"ant melo"y

0hile like a ghastly ra$i" river

Through the $ale "oor A hi"eous throng rush out forever

An" laugh& but smile no more*


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#ymn

At morn& at noon& at twilight "im&


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Imitation

A "ark unfathome" ti"e

Of interminable $ri"e &

A mystery an" a "ream

#houl" my early life seem;I say that "ream was fraught

0ith a wil" an" waking thoughtOf beings that have been

0hich my s$irit hath not seen

,a" I let them $ass me by

0ith a "reaming eye!et none of earth inherit

That vision of my s$irit;

Those thoughts I woul" controlAs a s$ell u$on his soul3

2or that bright ho$e at lastAn" that light time have $astAn" my worl"ly rest hath gone

0ith a sigh as it $asse" on3

I care not though it $erish

0ith a thought I then "i" cherish*

"In 'outh I #ave (no)n *ne"/o! often !e for%et all ti#e, !hen lone

d#irin% ature2s uni"ersal throne

/er !oods - her !inds - her #ountains - the intense3ely of /ers to Our intelli%ence

I*

In youth I have known one with whom the -arth

In secret communing hel" & as he with itIn "aylight an" in beauty from his birth3

0hose fervi" flickering torch of life was lit

2rom the sun an" stars whence he ha" "rawn forth A $assionate light & such for his s$irit was fit &

An" yet that s$irit knew & not in the hour

Of its own fervour & what ha" oer it $ower*

II*

Perha$s it may be that my min" is wrought To a fever by the moonbeam that hangs oer


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But I will half believe that wil" light fraught

0ith more of sovereignty than ancient lore

,ath ever tol" & or is it of a thought The unembo"ie" essence an" no more

That with a /uickening s$ell "oth oer us $ass

As "ew of the night time oer the summer grass:

III*

4oth oer us $ass when as th e7$an"ing eye

To the love" ob>ect & so the tear to the li"

0ill start which lately sle$t in a$athy:

An" yet it nee" not be & (that ob>ect) hi"2rom us in life & but common & which "oth lie

-ach hour before us & but then only bi"

0ith a strange soun" as of a har$string broken

T awake us & Tis a symbol an" a token &

I8*

Of what in other worl"s shall be & an" given

In beauty by our .o" to those alone0ho otherwise woul" fall from life an" ,eaven

4rawn by their hearts $assion an" that tone

That high tone of the s$irit which hath striven

Though not with 2aith & with go"liness & whose throne0ith "es$erate energy t hath beaten "own;

0earing its own "ee$ feeling as a crown*

Israfel

In ,eaven a s$irit "oth "well

10hose heart&strings are a lute1; +one sing so wil"ly well

As the angel Israfel

An" the gi""y stars (so legen"s tell) %easing their hymns atten" the s$ell

Of his voice all mute*

Tottering above In her highest noon

The enamore" moon

Blushes with love 0hile to listen the re" levin

(0ith the ra$i" Pleia"s even


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0hich were seven)

Pauses in ,eaven*

An" they say (the starry choir

An" the other listening things)

That Israfelis fire Is owing to that lyre

By which he sits an" sings&

The trembling living wire Of those unusual strings*

But the skies that angel tro"

0here "ee$ thoughts are a "uty& 0here oves a grown&u$ .o"&

0here the ,ouri glances are

Imbue" with all the beauty

0hich we worshi$ in a star*

Therefore thou art not wrong Israfeli who "es$isest

An unim$assione" song;

To thee the laurels belong Best bar" because the wisest!


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"In the +reenest of the ,alleys"

(From The Fall of the House of Usher)

I*

In the greenest of our valleys By goo" angels tenante"

Once fair an" stately $alace &&

Ra"iant $alace &&reare" its hea"* In the monarch Thoughts "ominion &&

It stoo" there!

+ever sera$h s$rea" a $inion Over fabric half so fair*

II* Banners yellow glorious gol"en

On its roof "i" float an" flow;

(This &&all this &&was in the ol"en

Time long ago) An" every gentle air that "allie"

In that sweet "ay

Along the ram$arts $lume" an" $alli" A winge" o"our went away*

III* 0an"erers in that ha$$y valley

Through two luminous win"ows saw

#$irits moving musically

To a lutes well&tune" law Roun" about a throne where sitting

(Por$hyrogene!)

In state his glory well befitting The ruler of the realm was seen*

I8* An" all with $earl an" ruby glowing

0as the fair $alace "oor

Through which came flowing flowing flowing An" s$arkling evermore

A troo$ of -choes whose sweet "uty 0as but to sing

In voices of sur$assing beauty The wit an" wis"om of their king*

8* But evil things in robes of sorrow

Assaile" the monarchs high estate;


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(Ah let us mourn for never morrow

#hall "awn u$on him "esolate!)

An" roun" about his home the glory That blushe" an" bloome"

Is but a "im&remembere" story

Of the ol" time entombe"*

8I*

An" travellers now within that valley Through the re"&litten win"ows see

8ast forms that move fantastically

To a "iscor"ant melo"y;

0hile like a ra$i" ghastly river Through the $ale "oor

A hi"eous throng rush out forever

An" laugh &&but smile no more*

The La-e In s$ring of youth it was my lot

To haunt of the wi"e worl" a s$ot The which I coul" not love the less&

#o lovely was the loneliness

Of a wil" lake with black rock boun" An" the tall $ines that towere" aroun"*

But when the +ight ha" thrown her $all

5$on that s$ot as u$on all An" the mystic win" went by


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Lenore Ah broken is the gol"en bowl! the s$irit flown forever! et the bell toll!& a saintly soul floats on the #tygian river;

An" .uy "e 8ere hast thou no tear:& wee$ now or nevermore!

#ee! on yon "rear an" rigi" bier low lies thy love enore!

%ome! let the burial rite be rea"& the funeral song be sung!& An anthem for the /ueenliest "ea" that ever "ie" so young&

A "irge for her the "oubly "ea" in that she "ie" so young*

10retches! ye love" her for her wealth an" hate" her for her $ri"e

An" when she fell in feeble health ye blesse" her& that she "ie"!

,ow shall the ritual then be rea":& the re/uiem how be sung By you& by yours the evil eye& by yours the slan"erous tongue

That "i" to "eath the innocence that "ie" an" "ie" so young:1

Peccavimus; but rave not thus! an" let a #abbath song

.o u$ to .o" so solemnly the "ea" may feel no wrong* The sweet enore hath 1gone before1 with ,o$e that flew besi"e eaving thee wil" for the "ear chil" that shoul" have been thy

bri"e*

2or her the fair an" "ebonair that now so lowly lies

The life u$on her yellow hair but not within her eyes The life still there u$on her hair& the "eath u$on her eyes*

1Avaunt! avaunt! from fien"s below the in"ignant ghost is riven& 2rom ,ell unto a high estate far u$ within the ,eaven&

2rom grief an" groan to a gol"en throne besi"e the ?ing of

,eaven! et no bell toll then& lest her soul ami" its hallowe" mirth

#houl" catch the note as it "oth float u$ from the "amne" -arth!

An" I!& to&night my heart is light!& no "irge will I u$raise

But waft the angel on her flight with a Paean of ol" "ays!1

The .aven


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Once u$on a mi"night "reary while I $on"ere" weak an" weary

Over many a /uaint an" curious volume of forgotten lore

0hile I no""e" nearly na$$ing su""enly there came a ta$$ing As of some one gently ra$$ing ra$$ing at my chamber "oor*

1Tis some visitor1 I muttere" 1ta$$ing at my chamber "oor&

Only this an" nothing more*1

Ah "istinctly I remember it was in the bleak 4ecember

An" each se$arate "ying ember wrought its ghost u$on the floor* -agerly I wishe" the morrow;& vainly I ha" sought to borrow

2rom my books surcease of sorrow& sorrow for the lost enore&

2or the rare an" ra"iant mai"en whom the angels name enore&

+ameless here for evermore*

An" the silken sa" uncertain rustling of each $ur$le curtain

Thrille" me& fille" me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

#o that now to still the beating of my heart I stoo" re$eating 1Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber "oor&

#ome late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber "oor;& This it is an" nothing more*1

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer 1#ir1 sai" I 1or


42/50

+ot the least obeisance ma"e he; not a minute sto$$e" or staye"

he;

But with mien of lor" or la"y $erche" above my chamber "oor& Perche" u$on a bust of Pallas >ust above my chamber "oor&

Perche" an" sat an" nothing more*

Then this ebony bir" beguiling my sa" fancy into smiling

By the grave an" stern "ecorum of the countenance it wore*

1Though thy crest be shorn an" shaven thou1 I sai" 1art sure no craven

.hastly grim an" ancient raven wan"ering from the +ightly shore&

Tell me what thy lor"ly name is on the +ights Plutonian shore!1

=uoth the Raven 1+evermore*1


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This an" more I sat "ivining with my hea" at ease reclining

On the cushions velvet lining that the lam$light gloate" oer

But whose velvet violet lining with the lam$light gloating oer #he shall $ress ah nevermore!

Then methought the air grew "enser $erfume" from an unseen censer #wung by #era$him whose footfalls tinkle" on the tufte" floor*

10retch1 I crie" 1thy .o" hath lent thee& by these angels he

hath sent thee Res$ite& res$ite an" ne$enthe from thy memories of enore!

=uaff oh /uaff this kin" ne$enthe an" forget this lost enore!1


1Pro$het!1 sai" I 1thing of evil!& $ro$het still if bir" or

"evil!&

0hether Tem$ter sent or whether tem$est tosse" thee here ashore

4esolate yet all un"aunte" on this "esert lan" enchante"& On this home by horror haunte"& tell me truly I im$lore&

Is there& is there balm in .ilea":& tell me& tell me I im$lore!1 =uoth the Raven 1+evermore*1

1Pro$het!1 sai" I 1thing of evil& $ro$het still if bir" or "evil!

By that ,eaven that ben"s above us& by that .o" we both a"ore&

Tell this soul with sorrow la"en if within the "istant Ai"enn

It shall clas$ a sainte" mai"en whom the angels name enore& %las$ a rare an" ra"iant mai"en whom the angels name enore*1


1Be that wor" our sign in $arting bir" or fien"1 I shrieke"

u$starting&

1.et thee back into the tem$est an" the +ights Plutonian shore! eave no black $lume as a token of that lie thy soul hath s$oken!

eave my loneliness unbroken!& /uit the bust above my "oor!

Take thy beak from out my heart an" take thy form from off my

"oor!1 =uoth the Raven 1+evermore*1

An" the Raven never flitting still is sitting still is sitting On the $alli" bust of Pallas >ust above my chamber "oor;

An" his eyes have all the seeming of a "emons that is "reaming

An" the lam$light oer him streaming throws his sha"ow on the floor;

An" my soul from out that sha"ow that lies floating on the floor

#hall be lifte"& nevermore!


44/50


45/50

4arkly my Present an" my Past

et my 2uture ra"iant shine

0ith sweet ho$es of thee an" thine!

Serenade #o sweet the hour so calm the time

I feel it more than half a crime 0hen +ature slee$s an" stars are mute

To mar the silence evn with lute*

At rest on oceans brilliant "yes An image of -lysium lies3

#even Pleia"es entrance" in ,eaven

2orm in the "ee$ another seven3 -n"ymion no""ing from above

#ees in the sea a secon" love*

0ithin the valleys "im an" brown An" on the s$ectral mountains crown

The wearie" light is "ying "own

An" earth an" stars an" sea an" sky

Are re"olent of slee$ as I Am re"olent of thee an" thine

-nthralling love my A"eline*

But list O list& so soft an" low Thy lovers voice tonight shall flow

That scarce awake thy soul shall "eem


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Bring thee to meet his sha"ow (nameless elf

That haunteth the lone regions where hath tro"

+o foot of man) commen" thyself to .o"!

The Slee$er At mi"night in the month of 'une

I stan" beneath the mystic moon* An o$iate va$or "ewy "im

-7hales from out her gol"en rim

An" softly "ri$$ing "ro$ by "ro$ 5$on the /uiet mountain to$

#teals "rowsily an" musically

Into the universal valley* The rosemary no"s u$on the grave;

The lily lolls u$on the wave;

0ra$$ing the fog about its breast The ruin mol"ers into rest;

ooking like ethe see! the lake

A conscious slumber seems to take

An" woul" not for the worl" awake* All Beauty slee$s!& an" lo! where lies

Irene with her 4estinies!

O la"y bright! can it be right&

This win"ow o$en to the night:

The wanton airs from the tree&to$

aughingly through the lattice "ro$& The bo"iless airs a wi6ar" rout

2lit through thy chamber in an" out

An" wave the curtain cano$y #o fitfully& so fearfully&

Above the close" an" fringe" li"

+eath which thy slumbring soul lies hi" That oer the floor an" "own the wall

ike ghosts the sha"ows rise an" fall!

Oh la"y "ear hast thou no fear: 0hy an" what art thou "reaming here:

#ure thou art come Oer far&off seas A won"er to these gar"en trees!

#trange is thy $allor! strange thy "ress #trange above all thy length of tress

An" this all solemn silentness!

The la"y slee$s! Oh may her slee$

0hich is en"uring so be "ee$!


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The worl" all love before thee3

An" in thine eye a kin"ling light (0hatever it might be)

0as all on -arth my aching sight

Of oveliness coul" see*

That blush $erha$s was mai"en shame&

As such it well may $ass& Though its glow hath raise" a fiercer flame

In the breast of him alas!

0ho saw thee on that bri"al "ay 0hen that "ee$ blush woul" come oer thee

Though ha$$iness aroun" thee lay;

The worl" all love before thee*

S$irits of the Dead Thy soul shall fin" itself alone


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An" the mist u$on the hill

#ha"owy sha"owy yet unbroken

Is a symbol an" a token* ,ow it hangs u$on the trees

A mystery of mysteries!

Stanzas

,ow often we forget all time when lone

A"miring +atures universal throne; ,er woo"s& her wil"s& her mountains& the intense

Re$ly of ,-R# to O5R intelligence! @BRO+ The Islan"*

I

In youth have I known one with whom the -arth In secret communing hel"& as he with it

In "aylight an" in beauty from his birth3

0hose fervi" flickering torch of life was lit

2rom the sun an" stars whence he ha" "rawn forth A $assionate light& such for his s$irit was fit&

An" yet that s$irit knew not in the hour

Of its own fervor what ha" oer it $ower*

II

Perha$s it may be that my min" is wrought

To a fever by the moonbeam that hangs oer

But I will half believe that wil" light fraught 0ith more of sovereignty than ancient lore

,ath ever tol"& or is it of a thought

The unembo"ie" essence an" no more That with a /uickening s$ell "oth oer us $ass

As "ew of the night&time oer the summer grass:

III

4oth oer us $ass when as th e7$an"ing eye

To the love" ob>ect& so the tear to the li" 0ill start which lately sle$t in a$athy:

An" yet it nee" not be& (that ob>ect) hi"

2rom us in life& but common& which "oth lie -ach hour before us& but then only bi"

0ith a strange soun" as of a har$&string broken


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To awake us& Tis a symbol an" a token

I8

Of what in other worl"s shall be& an" given

In beauty by our .o" to those alone 0ho otherwise woul" fall from life an" ,eaven

4rawn by their hearts $assion an" that tone

That high tone of the s$irit which hath striven Tho not with 2aith& with go"liness& whose throne

0ith "es$erate energy t hath beaten "own;

0earing its own "ee$ feeling as a crown*

Edgar Allan Poe - all poems

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Transcript of Edgar Allan Poe - all poems