Skip to content
ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

…

Read full poem →

noun

A person whose profession is acting on the stage, in films, or on television.

“The lead actor delivered a powerful performance that moved the entire audience to tears.”

Know more →

THE ROSY BOSOM'D HOURS.

60 lines
Coventry Patmore·1823–1896
✦
florin to the willing GuardSecured, for half the way,(He lock'd us in, ah, lucky-starr'd,)A curtain'd, front coupe.The sparkling sun of August shone;The wind was in the West;Your gown and all that you had onWas what became you best;And we were in that seldom moodWhen soul with soul agrees,Mingling, like flood with equal flood,In agitated ease.Far round, each blade of harvest bareIts little load of bread;Each furlong of that journey fairWith separate sweetness sped.The calm of use was coming o'erThe wonder of our wealth,And now, maybe, 'twas not much moreThan Eden's common health.We paced the sunny platform, whileThe train at Havant changed:What made the people kindly smile,Or stare with looks estranged?Too radiant for a wife you seem'd,Serener than a bride;Me happiest born of men I deem'd,And show'd perchance my pride.I loved that girl, so gaunt and tall,Who whispered loud, 'Sweet Thing!'Scanning your figure, slight yet allRound as your own gold ring.At Salisbury you stray'd aloneWithin the shafted glooms,Whilst I was by the Verger shownThe brasses and the tombs.At tea we talk'd of matters deep,Of joy that never dies;We laugh'd, till love was mix'd with sleepWithin your great sweet eyes.The next day, sweet with luck no lessAnd sense of sweetness past,The full tide of our happinessRose higher than the last.At Dawlish, 'mid the pools of brine,You stept from rock to rock,One hand quick tightening upon mine,One holding up your frock.On starfish and on weeds aloneYou seem'd intent to be:Flash'd those great gleams of hope unknownFrom you, or from the sea?Ne'er came before, ah, when againShall come two days like these:Such quick delight within the brain,Within the heart such peace?I thought, indeed, by magic chance,A third from Heaven to win,But as, at dusk, we reach'd Penzance,A drizzling rain set in.
✦