Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
October 9, 1830
Republican Herald
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem titled 'She Knelt' describes a woman in a moment of spiritual elevation amid heavenly and natural imagery, kneeling in prayer as angels and nature surround her, before weeping in despair over an indelible sin that bars her return to innocence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
LYRICAL SELECTIONS.
She Knelt.
She knelt—the ever spirits high
Towered road its blue wings above—
And angel harps were breathing song
Of never-dying love.
The straining moon was glancing bright
Upon the glittering robes of Night.
She knelt—the myriad stars looked down
In their untiring gaze.
Upon the bright and sinless bower,
Her home in happier days.
The sapphire wall of heaven unfurled
Their banners to the Eden world.
She knelt—the earth lay calm beneath
The Holy Spirit's smile,
And strains of seraph melody
Stole on her ears the while—
And whispering winds, and zephyrs bland,
Her pale and feverish temples fanned.
She knelt—in its untroubled pride
The waveless stream rolled by,
And glittered in the beamy light
Of the unclouded sky—
And onward passed, in murmuring sweep
Unto the vast and watery deep.
She wept—a curse was on her heart,
A curse that could not die,
For the deep sin that rested there
Was registered on high.
She wept—her seared heart could not bear
The starless night of its despair.
She wept—to leave the sunny flowers
That gemmed the sylvan scene,
And danced like fairy revellers
Upon the glittering green—
Which almost offered rivalry
Unto the bright and glorious sky.
She wept—that all the shining host
That gazed upon her then,
Should never light her steps unto
That sinless bower again:
But hence her heritage should be,
To toss on life's wild, billowy sea!
She Knelt.
She knelt—the ever spirits high
Towered road its blue wings above—
And angel harps were breathing song
Of never-dying love.
The straining moon was glancing bright
Upon the glittering robes of Night.
She knelt—the myriad stars looked down
In their untiring gaze.
Upon the bright and sinless bower,
Her home in happier days.
The sapphire wall of heaven unfurled
Their banners to the Eden world.
She knelt—the earth lay calm beneath
The Holy Spirit's smile,
And strains of seraph melody
Stole on her ears the while—
And whispering winds, and zephyrs bland,
Her pale and feverish temples fanned.
She knelt—in its untroubled pride
The waveless stream rolled by,
And glittered in the beamy light
Of the unclouded sky—
And onward passed, in murmuring sweep
Unto the vast and watery deep.
She wept—a curse was on her heart,
A curse that could not die,
For the deep sin that rested there
Was registered on high.
She wept—her seared heart could not bear
The starless night of its despair.
She wept—to leave the sunny flowers
That gemmed the sylvan scene,
And danced like fairy revellers
Upon the glittering green—
Which almost offered rivalry
Unto the bright and glorious sky.
She wept—that all the shining host
That gazed upon her then,
Should never light her steps unto
That sinless bower again:
But hence her heritage should be,
To toss on life's wild, billowy sea!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Song
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Nature Seasons
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Kneeling Prayer
Spiritual Vision
Sinful Despair
Heavenly Imagery
Natural Beauty
Eternal Curse
Edenic Bower
Poem Details
Title
She Knelt.
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
She Knelt—The Ever Spirits High
Towered Road Its Blue Wings Above—
And Angel Harps Were Breathing Song
Of Never Dying Love.
She Wept—A Curse Was On Her Heart,
A Curse That Could Not Die,
For The Deep Sin That Rested There
Was Registered On High.
She Wept—That All The Shining Host
That Gazed Upon Her Then,
Should Never Light Her Steps Unto
That Sinless Bower Again:
But Hence Her Heritage Should Be,
To Toss On Life's Wild, Billowy Sea!