When the Shy Star Goes Forth in Heaven

James Joyce 1882 (Rathgar) – 1941 (Zürich)



When the shy star goes forth in heaven
All maidenly, disconsolate,
Hear you amid the drowsy even
One who is singing by your gate.
His song is softer than the dew
And he is come to visit you.

O bend no more in revery
When he at eventide is calling.
Nor muse: Who may this singer be
Whose song about my heart is falling?
Know you by this, the lover's chant,
'Tis I that am your visitant.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 14, 2023

24 sec read
493

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXAAX XBXBAA
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 393
Words 79
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 6, 6

James Joyce

ames Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century.  more…

All James Joyce poems | James Joyce Books

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