Tristram of Lyonesse and Other Poems

XVII.

Anonymous Plays

Algernon Charles Swinburne


YE TOO, dim watchfires of some darkling hour,
    Whose fame forlorn time saves not nor proclaims
    For ever, but forgetfulness defames
And darkness and the shadow of death devour,
Lift up ye too your light, put forth your power,
    Let the far twilight feel your soft small flames
    And smile, albeit night name not even their names,
Ghost by ghost passing, flower blown down on flower:
That sweet-tongued shadow, like a star’s that passed
Singing, and light was from its darkness cast
    To paint the face of Painting fair with praise:1
And that wherein forefigured smiles the pure
Fraternal face of Wordsworth’s Elidure
    Between two child-faced masks of merrier days.2


1.    Doctor Dodypol    [back]

2.    Nobody and Somebody    [back]


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