Daylight and Moonlight

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807 (Portland) – 1882 (Cambridge)



In broad daylight, and at noon,
Yesterday I saw the moon
Sailing high, but faint and white,
As a schoolboy's paper kite.

In broad daylight, yesterday,
I read a poet's mystic lay;
And it seemed to me at most
As a phantom, or a ghost.

But at length the feverish day
Like a passion died away,
And the night, serene and still,
Fell on village, vale, and hill.

Then the moon, in all her pride,
Like a spirit glorified,
Filled and overflowed the night
With revelations of her light.

And the Poet's song again
Passed like music through my brain;
Night interpreted to me
All its grace and mystery.

About this poem

Daylight and Moonlight is a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that presents a comparison between two different times of day - daylight and moonlight. The poem begins by describing the beauty of daylight, which is characterized by its brightness and vibrancy. It is further described as a time of joy and renewal, as it brings with it the promise of a new day. The poem then shifts to the beauty of moonlight, which is characterized by its mysteriousness and gentle shimmer. It is described as a time of peace and serenity, as it brings with it a feeling of calm and tranquility.

The poem is ultimately a meditation on the beauty of nature and the beauty of life. Longfellow highlights the importance of both daylight and moonlight, as together they provide balance and harmony. He also emphasizes the importance of appreciating and savoring each moment, as both daylight and moonlight offer beauty and joy. By presenting both times of day in such a positive light, Longfellow is ultimately celebrating the beauty of life and the joys of living.
 

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified by acronimous on February 16, 2023

39 sec read
144

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABB CCDD CCEE FFBB XXGG
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 601
Words 128
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. more…

All Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poems | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Books

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