ON the green margin of the land.
Where Guadalhorce winds his way,
My Lady lay.
With golden key Sleep’s gentle hand
Had closed her eyes so bright,
Her eyes — two suns of light,
And bade his balmy dews
Her rosy cheeks suffuse.
The River God in slumber saw her laid
He raised his dripping head
With weeds o’erspread,
Clad in his watery robes approach’d the maid,
And with cold kiss, like Death,
Drank the rich perfume of the maiden’s breath.
The maiden felt that icy kiss;
Her suns unclosed, their flame
Full and unclouded on the intruder came.
Amazed, the hold intruder felt
His frothy body melt,
And heard the radiance on his bosom hiss
And, forced in blind confusion to retire,
Leapt in the water to escape the fire.
February, 1799.
MOHAMMED; A FRAGMENT, WRITTEN IN 1799.
CLOAK’D in the garment of green, who lies on the bed of Mohammed,
Restless and full of fear, yet semblant of one that is sleeping?
Every sound of the feet at his door he hears, and the breathing
Low of inaudible words: he knows their meaning of murder,
Knows what manner of men await his outgoing, and listens
All their tread, and their whisp’ring, till even the play of his pulses
Disturbs him, so deep his attention. The men of the Koreish
Fix on the green-robed youth their eyes; impatiently watchful
Wait they the steps of his rising, the coming of him whom they hated.
He rises and makes himself pure, and turning towards the Caaba,
Loud he repeats his prayer; they hear, and, in eagerness trembling,
Grasp the hilts of their swords — their swords that are sworn to the slaughter.
But when the youth went forth, they saw, and, behold! it was Ali!
Steady the hero’s face: it was pale, for his life was a blessing;
It was calm, for in death he look’d on to the crown of the martvr.
Dark as they were of soul, and goaded by rage disappointed,
They shed not the blood of the youth, but remember’d their chieftain his father,
Abu Taleb the good, and respected the virtue of friendship.
Baffled, and full of wrath, through Mecca they scatter the tidings:
“He has fled, has discover’d our plans, has eluded our vengeance.
“Saw ye the steps of his flight? Where lurks he, the lying blasphemer?
“Now to the chase, to the chase; seize now the bow and the quiver;
“Now with the sword and the spear, ye stubborn of Mecca! Pursue him;
“Seek him now to the north and the south, to the sunset and sunrise;
‘‘Follow, follow the chosen one’s flight!” They rush from the city:
Over the plain they pursue him, pursue him with cries and with curses —
Sounds that rung over the plain, and rung in the echoing mountains;
And Mecca received in her streets the din of their clamorous uproar.
But the voice of the Moslem, the silent prayer of the faithful,
Rose to the throne of God; and tears of the heart overflowing
Interceded for him whom they loved and believed his apostle.
“Where is the blasphemous fled? — the lying disturber of Mecca?
“Has he journey’d to Tayef? Under the shield of his uncle
“Lurks he for safety there? — or to Yathreb, the credulous city?
“Or seeks he the Ethiop’s court, where the earlier runaways shelter?”
Lashing their steeds, they pursue; to the east and the dwelling of Abbas
Hasten the thirsty for blood; to the north they hurry, to Yathreb;
Some to the shore of the sea, lest haply a bark might await him,
And the waves should become his protectors; impetuously rushing,
Drive they in fury along; beneath the hoofs of their horses
Sparkles the rock of the valley, and rises the dust of the desert.
Others the while, more cool in wrath, and thoughtful in fury,
Over the town search sedulous: they in the Hashemites’ dwellings
Seek for the man proscribed; in the dwellings of Hamza and Omar,
Ali, Abubeker, and Saad, and Abu Obeidah;
All whom the Prophet loved, who believed in the son of Abdallah.
Every house they search in the populous city, whose threshold
Ever his feet had trod; thus vainly through Mecca they seek him
Then, unassuaged of hate, of rancour and wrath unabated,
They to the mountains turn, to seek in their dens and retirings
If from the death he lurks: they enter the cavern of Hira,
Place of his fasting and prayer; the cavern of Hira is lonely.
Not in the depth of the cave, and not in the mountain retirings,
Not in their hollows and glens, can they track the steps of his going.
So through the day they sought; and still, when the sun was descending,
They were among the hills: then faint, disappointed, and weary,
Turning their faces homeward, they journey’d slowly and sullen
Down their rough mountain path; but often paused, and around them
Linger’d with prowling eyes: a little wide of their pathway,
Thus as they paused, they saw in the side of the stony mountain
A cave-mouth, narrow and high: the hill had the hue of the evening
Rich on its rugged sides, and the chasm was distinct in its blackness.
Thither turning, they sped; and one who forewent his companions
Came to the cavern’s mouth: disturb’d by the noise of his footsteps,
From her nest, in the side of the chasm, a pigeon affrighted
Fled. The advancing pursuers heard the whirr of her pinions,
And he who was first exclaim’d, “There is none in the hole of the mountain;
“For lo! a pigeon fled from her nest at the sound of my coming,
“And the spider hath spread his network over the entrance.”
Then from the cave he turn’d.
Was thy spirit shaken, Mohammed,
When in the depth of the rock thou heardest the voice of the Koreish?
He who was with thee trembled; the sweat on his forehead was chilly,
And his eyes in alarm were turn’d towards thee in the darkness.
Silent they sat in the rock; nor moved they, nor breathed they; but listen’d
Long to the tread of the feet, that, fainter and fainter sounding,
Died in the distance now: yet still they were silent, and listen’d.
Abubeker first, as his fear gave faith to the echo,
Fresh in his sense alarm’d—” Hark! hark! I hear them returning’
“They are many, and we but two!” he whisper’d, in terror.
“There is a third!” aloud replied the son of Abdallah—”God!”
So the night came on, and they in the place of their refuge
Silently sat. And now in hope they listen’d, awaiting
Sound of approaching feet — of trusted friend or disciple,
Bringing them food and tidings, now that the darkness had settled.
Slow past the expectant hours: nearer the mouth of the cavern
Eagerly now they drew. The sound of the wind that was passing
Took from their hope its tone; and now in its distant murmurs
They heard the tread of feet; and now despairingly argued
Danger was yet abroad, and none could venture towards them.
Midnight came; and a step was heard — distinctly they heard it:
Heavier it comes, — and now in the rock — and a voice — it is Ali.
And the figs wrapt under his robe: then told he his tidings.
Low was his voice, for he spake in fear: “The peril is pressing,
“Prophet of God, I saw thy foes return in the twilight:
“Sullen they came from their toil, and talk’d of the search on the morrow.
“The Idolaters joy in thy flight, and grieve at thy safety:
“God shall remember their joy, and that grief, in the day of his judgment.
“They shall feel in their evil load! A price is appointed
“His who shall shed thy blood: but keep thou close in the mountain;
“God will confound their plots.”
He paused; so suddenly checking
Words on their way, as one who tells but half of his errand,
Loath to utter the worse remainder, that yet must be utter’d.
Sure if Mohammed had seen his eye, he had read in its trouble
Tidings of evil to come. At length to the son of Abdallah,
Telling his tale of woe, spake Ali the first of believers:
“Prophet, there is grief in thy dwelling: Cadijah in sickness
“Lies on her bed of pain: for death she is stricken, I fear me.’
Mohammed heard: and he bow’d his head, and groan’d for his exile.
The Poems
In his childhood Southey was sent to Westminster School, but he was expelled for writing an essay against flogging.
The school today
LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
JOAN OF ARC. THE FIRST BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE SECOND BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE THIRD BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE FOURTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE FIFTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE SIXTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE SEVENTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE EIGHTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE NINTH BOOK.
JOAN OF ARC. THE TENTH BOOK.
THE VISION OF THE MAID OF ORLEANS. THE FIRST BOOK.
THE VISION OF THE MAID OF ORLEANS. THE SECOND BOOK.
THE VISION OF THE MAID OF ORLEANS. THE THIRD BOOK.
THE TRIUMPH OF WOMAN
WAT TYLER - ACT I
WAT TYLER - ACT II
WAT TYLER - ACT III
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET I
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET II
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET III
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET IV
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET V
POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE - SONNET VI
TO THE GENIUS OF AFRICA
THE SAILOR, WHO HAD SERVED IN THE SLAVE TRADE
VERSES SPOKEN IN THE THEATRE AT OXFORD, UPON THE INSTALLATION OF LORD GRENVILLE
ELINOR.
HUMPHREY AND WILLIAM.
JOHN, SAMUEL, & RICHARD.
FREDERIC.
SONNET I.
SONNET II.
SONNET III.
SONNET IV.
SONNET V.
SONNET VI
SONNET VII.
SONNET VIII.
SONNET IX.
SONNET X.
SAPPHO.
XIMALPOCA.
THE WIFE OF FERGUS.
LUCRETIA.
LA CABA.
DELIA AT PLAY.
TO A PAINTER ATTEMPTING DELIA’S PORTRAIT.
HE PROVES THE EXISTENCE OF A SOUL FROM HIS LOVE FOR DELIA.
THE POET EXPRESSES HIS FEELINGS RESPECTING A PORTRAIT IN DELIA’S PARLOR.
ELEGY I. THE POET RELATES HOW HE OBTAINED DELIA’S POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF.
ELEGY II. THE POET INVOKES THE SPIRITS OF THE ELEMENTS TO APPROACH DELIA.
ELEGY III. THE POET EXPATIATES ON THE BEAUTY OF DELIA’S HAIR
ELEGY IV. THE POET RELATES HOW HE STOLE A LOCK OF DELIA’S HAIR, AND HER ANGER.
TO HORROR.
TO CONTEMPLATION.
TO A FRIEND.
REMEMBRANCE.
THE SOLDIER’S WIFE.
THE WIDOW.
THE CHAPEL BELL.
TO HYMEN.
WRITTEN ON THE FIRST OF DECEMBER.
WRITTEN ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY.
WRITTEN ON SUNDAY MORNING.
THE RACE OF BANQUO.
WRITTEN IN ALENTEJO, JANUARY 23, 1796.
TO RECOVERY.
YOUTH AND AGE.
THE OAK OF OUR FATHERS.
THE BATTLE OF PULTOWA.
THE TRAVELLER’S RETURN.
THE OLD MAN’S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM.
TRANSLATION OF A GREEK ODE ON ASTRONOMY WRITTEN BY S. T. COLERIDGE, FOR THE PRIZE AT CAMBRIDGE, 1793.
GOOSEBERRY-PIE.
TO A BEE.
TO A SPIDER.
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
THE DEATH OF WALLACE.
THE SPANISH ARMADA.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S DAY.
THE HOLLY-TREE.
THE EBB TIDE.
THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR
TO MARY.
TO A FRIEND, INQUIRING IF I WOULD LIVE OVER MY YOUTH AGAIN.
THE DEAD FRIEND.
THE HURON’S ADDRESS TO THE DEAD.
THE PERUVIAN’S DIRGE OVER THE BODY OF HIS FATHER.
SONG OF THE ARAUCANS DURING A THUNDER-STORM.
SONG OF THE CHIKKASAH WIDOW
THE OLD CHIKKASAH TO HIS GRANDSON
THE PAUPER’S FUNERAL.
THE SOLDIER’S FUNERAL.
ON A LANDSCAPE OF GASPAR POUSSIN.
WRITTEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1795.
THE CONVENT OF ARRABIDA
ON MY OWN MINIATURE PICTURE TAKEN AT TWO YEARS OF AGE.
ON THE DEATH OF A FAVORITE OLD SPANIEL.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A DAY’S JOURNEY IN SPAIN.
TO MARGARET HILL.
AUTUMN.
THE VICTORY.
HISTORY.
THE SPEECH OF ROBERT EMMET
THANKSGIVING FOR VICTORY.
STANZAS WRITTEN IN LADY LONSDALE’S ALBUM, AT LOWTHER CASTLE, OCTOBER 13, 1821.
STANZAS ADDRESSED TO W. R. TURNER, ESQ., R. A., ON HIS VIEW OF THE LAGO MAGGIORE FROM THE TOWN OF ARONA.
ON A PICTURE BY J. M. WRIGHT, ESQ.
MY DAYS AMONG THE DEAD ARE PAST
IMITATED FROM THE PERSIAN.
THE RETROSPECT.
HYMN TO THE PENATES.
THE OLD MANSION-HOUSE.
THE GRANDMOTHERS TALE.
HANNAH.
THE FUNERAL.
THE SAILOR’S MOTHER.
THE WITCH.
THE RUINED COTTAGE.
THE LAST OF THE FAMILY
THE WEDDING
THE ALDERMAN’S FUNERAL
WRITTEN THE WINTER AFTER THE INSTALLATION AT OXFORD. 1793.
SNUFF.
COOL REFLECTIONS DURING A MIDSUMMER WALK FROM WARMINSTER TO SHAFTESBURY. 1799.
THE PIG.
THE DANCING BEAR.
THE FILBERT.
THE CATARACT OF LODORE.
ROBERT THE RHYMER’S TRUE AND PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF.
THE DEVIL’S WALK.
INSCRIPTIONS
FOR A TABLET AT GODSTOW NUNNERY.
FOR A COLUMN AT NEWBURY.
FOR A CAVERN THAT OVERLOOKS THE RIVER AVON.
FOR THE APARTMENT IN CHEPSTOW-CASTLE WHERE HENRY MARTEN THE REGICIDE WAS IMPRISONED THIRTY YEARS.
FOR A MONUMENT AT SILBURY-HILL.
FOR A MONUMENT IN THE NEW FOREST.
FOR A TABLET ON THE BANKS OF A STREAM.
FOR THE CENOTAPH AT ERMENONVILLE.
INSCRIPTIONS FOR THE CALEDONIAN CANAL
EPITAPH IN BUTLEIGH CHURCH.
EPITAPH.
DEDICATIOM OF THE AUTHOR’S COLLOQUIES ON THE PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS OF SOCIETY.
CARMEN TRIUMPHALE.
ODE, WRITTEN DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH BONAPARTE, IN JANUARY, 1814.
ODE, WRITTEN DURING THE WAR WITH AMERICA 1814.
ODE TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
ODE TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ALEXANDER THE FIRST, EMPEROR OF ALL THE RUSSIAS.
ODE TO HIS MAJESTY, FREDERICK WILLIAM THE FOURTH, KING OF PRUSSIA.
ODE. THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS.
ODE ON THE DEATH OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE.
ODE FOR ST. GEORGE’S DAY.
ODE WRITTEN AFTER THE KING’S VISIT TO IRELAND.
ODE WRITTEN AFTER THE KING’S VISIT TO SCOTLAND.
THE WARNING VOICE. ODE I.
THE WARNING VOICE. ODE II.
ODE ON THE PORTRAIT OF BISHOP HEBER.
EPISTLE TO ALLAN CUNNINGHAM.
OP EENE VERZAMELING VAN MIJNE
MADOC IN WALES. PART I.
NOTES ON THE FIRST PART.
MADOC IN AZTLAN. PART II.
NOTES ON THE SECOND PART.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK I.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK II.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK III.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK IV.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK V.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK VI.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK VII.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK VIII.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK IX.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK X.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK XI.
THALABA THE DESTROYER. BOOK XII.
MARY, THE MAID OF THE INN.
DONICA.
RUDIGER.
JASPAR.
LORD WILLIAM.
ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY.
THE CROSS ROADS.
GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON A WICKED BISHOP.
THE PIOUS PAINTER.
ST. MICHAEL’S CHAIR.
KING HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX.
OLD CHRISTOVAL’S ADVICE, AND THE REASON WHY HE GAVE IT.
CORNELIUS AGRIPPA
VERY PITHY AND PROFITABLE.
KING CHARLEMAIN.
ST. ROMUALD.
THE KING OF THE CROCODILES.
THE ROSE.
THE LOVER’S ROCK.
GARCI FERRANDEZ.
KING RAMIRO.
THE INCHCAPE ROCK.
THE WELL OF ST. KEYNE.
BISHOP BRUNO.
THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM.
A TRUE BALLAD OF ST. ANTIDIUS, THE POPE, AND THE DEVIL.
GONZALO HERMIGUEZ.
Complete Poetical Works of Robert Southey Page 199