lyrical poetry - OUDL Home

LYRICALPOETRYquite sure of the exceptional value of their emotions,was a twofold one. It made these beautiful poemsseem, at first reading, a little wanting in interestdespite their grace and naturalness of form, poemsthat one admires but, having laid them down, forgetsto take up again. But a subsequent impression wasone of relief and delight, delight in the sincerity andsimplicity of the feeling, devoid of any suspicion ofspasmodic violence, and in the purity and perfectionof the form. After Locksley Hall (earlier and later),and Pippa Passes and James Lee's Wife and "two RedRoses across the Moon" and Insomnia and the Song ofthe Bower and "For a day and a night Love sang tous, played with us," one could, after these exaltationsand complexities of emotion, find a new pleasure inthe simplicity and delicate sincerity of:I have loved flowers that fade,Within whose magic tentsRich hues have marriage madeWith sweet unmemoried scents :A honeymoon delight,—A joy of love at sight,That ages in an hour :—My song be like a flower !I have loved airs, that dieBefore their charm is writAlong a liquid skyTrembling to welcome it:Notes, that with pulse of fireProclaim the spirit's desire,Then die and are nowhere :—My song be like an air !Die, song, die like a breath,And wither as a bloom :Fear not a flowery death,Dread ~ot an airy tomb !130