The Dark Forest

Edward Thomas 1878 (London Borough of Lambeth) – 1917 (Pas-de-Calais)



Dark is the forest and deep, and overhead
Hang stars like seeds of light
In vain, though not since they were sown was bred
Anything more bright.

And evermore mighty multitudes ride
About, nor enter in;
Of the other multitudes that dwell inside
Never yet was one seen.

The forest foxglove is purple, the marguerite
Outside is gold and white,
Nor can those that pluck either blossom greet
The others, day or night.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 29, 2023

22 sec read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CXCX DBDB
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 409
Words 75
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4

Edward Thomas

Philip Edward Thomas was an Anglo-Welsh poet and essayist. more…

All Edward Thomas poems | Edward Thomas Books

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