Claribela melodyFirst published in 1830.In 1830 and in 1842 edd. the poem is in one long stanza, with a full stop in 1830 ed. after line 8; 1842 ed. omits the full stop. The name “Claribel” may have been suggested by Spenser (F. Q., ii., iv., or Shakespeare,Tempest).1Where Claribel low-liethThe breezes pause and die,Letting the rose-leaves fall:But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,Thick-leaved, ambrosial,With an ancient melodyOf an inward agony,Where Claribel low-lieth.2At eve the beetle boomethAthwart the thicket lone:At noon the wild bee[1]hummethAbout the moss’d headstone:At midnight the moon cometh,And looketh down alone.Her song the lintwhite swelleth,The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth,The callow throstle[2]lispeth,The slumbrous wave outwelleth,The babbling runnel crispeth,The hollow grot repliethWhere Claribel low-lieth.[1]1830. “Wild” omitted, and “low” inserted with a hyphen before “hummeth”.[2]1851 and all previous editions, “fledgling” for “callow”.
a melodyFirst published in 1830.
In 1830 and in 1842 edd. the poem is in one long stanza, with a full stop in 1830 ed. after line 8; 1842 ed. omits the full stop. The name “Claribel” may have been suggested by Spenser (F. Q., ii., iv., or Shakespeare,Tempest).
1
Where Claribel low-liethThe breezes pause and die,Letting the rose-leaves fall:But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,Thick-leaved, ambrosial,With an ancient melodyOf an inward agony,Where Claribel low-lieth.
2
At eve the beetle boomethAthwart the thicket lone:At noon the wild bee[1]hummethAbout the moss’d headstone:At midnight the moon cometh,And looketh down alone.Her song the lintwhite swelleth,The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth,The callow throstle[2]lispeth,The slumbrous wave outwelleth,The babbling runnel crispeth,The hollow grot repliethWhere Claribel low-lieth.
[1]1830. “Wild” omitted, and “low” inserted with a hyphen before “hummeth”.
[2]1851 and all previous editions, “fledgling” for “callow”.