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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A FRAGMENT, by ALFRED TENNYSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Where is the giant of the sun, which stood Last Line: Rock-hewn and sealed for ever. Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron | |||
WHERE is the Giant of the Sun, which stood In the midnoon the glory of old Rhodes, A perfect Idol with profulgent brows Far-sheening down the purple seas to those Who sailed from Mizraim underneath the star Named of the Dragon -- and between whose limbs Of brassy vastness broad-blown Argosies Drave into haven? Yet endure unscathed Of changeful cycles the great Pyramids Broad-based amid the fleeting sands, and sloped Into the slumberous summer noon; but where, Mysterious Egypt, are thine obelisks Graven with gorgeous emblems undiscerned? Thy placid Sphinxes brooding o'er the Nile? Thy shadowing Idols in the solitudes, Awful Memnonian countenances calm Looking athwart the burning flats, far off Seen by the high-necked camel on the verge Journeying southward? Where are thy monuments Piled by the strong and sunborn Anakim Over their crowned brethren ON and OPH? Thy Memnon when his peaceful lips are kist With earliest rays, that from his mother's eyes Flow over the Arabian bay, no more Breathes low into the charmed ears of morn Clear melody flattering the crisped Nile By columned Thebes. Old Memphis hath gone down: The Pharaohs are no more: somewhere in death They sleep with staring eyes and gilded lips, Wrapped round with spiced cerements in old grots Rock-hewn and sealed for ever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DEDICATION by ALFRED TENNYSON A DREAM OF FAIR WOMEN by ALFRED TENNYSON BREAK, BREAK, BREAK by ALFRED TENNYSON CROSSING THE BAR by ALFRED TENNYSON EDWIN MORRIS; OR, THE LAKE by ALFRED TENNYSON ENGLAND AND AMERICA IN 1782 by ALFRED TENNYSON ENOCH ARDEN by ALFRED TENNYSON |
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