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She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron |
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She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meets in her aspect and her eyes; |
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| (5) |
Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which Heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress |
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| (10) |
Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, |
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| (15) |
The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent! |
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Ozymandias1 by Percy Shelley |
1 the Greek name for Ramses II. Ramses II was Egypt's pharaoh during the thirteenth century. He was known for being powerful and building many large statues and palaces. | |
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I met a traveler from an antique land, Who said—"Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, |
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| (5) |
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: |
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| (10) |
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away." |
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Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats |
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Thou still unravished bride of quietness, Thou foster-child of silence and slow time, Sylvan1 historian, who canst thus express A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: |
1 representing nature | |
| (5) |
What leaf-fringed legend haunts about thy shape Of deities or mortals, or of both, In Tempe2 or the dales of Arcady3? What men or gods are these? What maidens loth4? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? |
2 a village in Greece that
is known for its supreme rustic beauty 3 a village in Greece that is known for its peacefulness 4 resisting |
| (10) |
What pipes and timbrels5? What wild ecstasy?Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; Not to the sensual6 ear, but, more endeared, Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone: |
5 musical instrument resembling a tambourine 6 referring to the sense of hearing |
| (15) |
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare; Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss, Though winning near the goal—yet, do not grieve; She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss, |
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| (20) |
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu; And, happy melodist, unwearied, For ever piping songs for ever new; |
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| (25) |
More happy love! more happy, happy love! For ever warm and still to be enjoyed, For ever panting, and for ever young; All breathing human passion far above, That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloyed, |
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| (30) |
A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.Who are these coming to the sacrifice? To what green altar, O mysterious priest, Lead’st thou that heifer lowing at the skies, And all her silken flanks with garlands drest? |
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| (35) |
What little town by river or sea shore, Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel, Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn? And, little town, thy streets for evermore Will silent be; and not a soul to tell |
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| (40) |
Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.O Attic7 shape! Fair attitude! with brede8
Of marble men and maidens overwrought, With forest branches and the trodden weed; Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought |
7 the region of Greece where Athens was; known for its beauty and simplicity 8 interwoven |
| (45) |
As doth eternity: Cold9 Pastoral! When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shall remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,”—that is all |
9 unchanging |
| (50) |
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. |