Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

Winter Evening -- Archibald Lampman

Posting this on Martin's behalf once again:
(Poem #873) Winter Evening
 To-night the very horses springing by
 Toss gold from whitened nostrils. In a dream
 The streets that narrow to the westward gleam
 Like rows of golden palaces; and high
 From all the crowded chimneys tower and die
 A thousand aureoles. Down in the west
 The brimming plains beneath the sunset rest,
 One burning sea of gold. Soon, soon shall fly
 The glorious vision, and the hours shall feel
 A mightier master; soon from height to height,
 With silence and the sharp unpitying stars,
 Stern creeping frosts, and winds that touch like steel,
 Out of the depth beyond the eastern bars,
 Glittering and still shall come the awful night.
-- Archibald Lampman
When I ran Lampman's "To a Millionaire", I mentioned his "highly atmospheric
and somewhat surreal 'scene' poems that wouldn't raise eyebrows in a fantasy
collection". Today's poem is an excellent example - while not intrinsically
'unnatural', the scene is presented in colours and perspectives that
heighten the sense of magic, and of distance in space and time, all the more
unreal for being overlaid on a superficially normal backdrop.

Like de la Mare's "Silver", "Winter Evening" uses colour as one of its main
notes, casting a wash of gold across the landscape, which sets the dreamlike
tone for the octet. (Compare Wordsworth's 'Westminster Bridge' for a
similarly evoked scene.) The sestet segues abruptly from 'gleam' to
'glitter', as the warm glow of evening is replaced by the cold, harsh grip
of night. The vision of night as a pitiless, inexorable invasion is
beautifully executed, reminding me in places of postapocalyptic sf, and for
much the same reason - there is an instinctive reaction to darkness and cold
as fearful and dangerous; something to be fought against, with the
omnipresent knowledge that it is only being staved off by a tenuous layer of
civilisation, like the wolf that waits just beyond the firelit circle.

And in the end, beautiful as the beginning of the poem is, it is the last
line that makes it truly memorable.

Afterthought:

 The poem reminds me of Clarke's 'The Forgotten Enemy' - the one about
 the Earth trapped in an encroaching ice age. Both for the imagery and
 for the ending.

Links:

  The one previous Lampman poem we've run on Minstrels, complete with
  biography and notes: poem #784

  de la Mare's 'Silver': poem #725

  Wordsworth's 'Westminster Bridge': poem #462

-martin.

76 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

Anonymous said...

Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would
really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme.
Cheers

Have a look at my webpage Air Jordan Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

I tend not to write many comments, however i did
some searching and wound up here "Winter Evening -- Archibald Lampman".
And I do have 2 questions for you if you tend not to mind.
Could it be just me or does it look like some of the remarks look like written by brain dead folks?
:-P And, if you are posting on other sites, I'd like to keep up with everything new you have to post. Could you make a list of every one of all your public sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

Also visit my web page Wholesale NFL Jerseys

Anonymous said...

I like it when folks get together and share ideas.
Great site, continue the good work!

Stop by my page Louis Vuitton Outlet

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its nice discussion regarding this piece of writing here at this
webpage, I have read all that, so at this time
me also commenting at this place.

Here is my web page Louis Vuitton Outlet Online

Anonymous said...

Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, as well as the content!


Feel free to surf to my web site :: nfl jerseys cheap

Anonymous said...

It's remarkable to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all colleagues on the topic of this article, while I am also keen of getting knowledge.

My weblog; Cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone, it's my first pay a quick visit at this website, and post is really fruitful for me, keep up posting these posts.

My homepage ... extra resources

Anonymous said...

Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
I'm trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.

Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

Here is my web blog ... extra resources

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It's simple,
yet effective. A lot of times it's tough to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and appearance. I must say you've done a
awesome job with this. Also, the blog loads super quick
for me on Internet explorer. Exceptional Blog!

My web page; link

Anonymous said...

I do trust all of the concepts you've presented on your post. They're really convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please extend them a little from
next time? Thank you for the post.

my page - more

Anonymous said...

I like reading a post that will make men and women think.

Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!


my web site ... Michael Kors Outlet

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I'll check back later on and see if the problem
still exists.

Also visit my site: NFL Jerseys Cheap

Unknown said...

Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!
This My Key Word : Obat Alami Tumor Lambung | Obat Aritmia Herbal | Obat Faringitis Herbal | Obat Tradisional Radang Selaput Otak | Obat Herbal Asam Lambung

Thank you very much for sharing the information.

Unknown said...

thank you for posting in the waiting continues another post also
continued success Pengobatan Tradisional Diabetes

Unknown said...

thanks for posting on the website you wish more success Obat Paru Paru Alami
Apotek Ace Maxs

Sweat said...

Thanks for the information, maybe I’ll go back again to your website to read the latest news other, because the news contained in this website is very informative once

http://sweat-fit.blogspot.com/

Sweat said...

Nuhun atuh nya kang

Sweat Fet said...

Infonya bagus banget

GGWG said...

Saya ucapkan nuhun pisan

Unknown said...

His website you provide useful information
thanks for the information divide pleasing to us all
in the waiting continues other new information .. good morning

Pengobatan Tradisional Jantung Rematik
Mengenal Jenis Jenis Hipertiroid
Pengobatan Tradisional Lemah Syahwat

glucolife said...

overcast day sweet An easy way to cope with arthritis in the hips are now present to you .
outstanding information helped me thanks for the info deign divide
Penyebab Dari Penyakit Hipertiroid
Pengobatan Tradisional Sendawa Terus Menerus Terampuh
Pantangan Makanan Penyakit Gondok Beracun Terbaru

Riko JR said...

thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
cara mengobati ambeien
obat jantung berdebar
obat penyakit hipertensi
obat gondongan alami

Unknown said...

I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
Obat Kista Ovarium Ukuran 8, 7 dan 6 Cm
Obat Alergi Kaligata via vallen
I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
obat anyang anyangan di apotik 100% Ampuh
Salep Obat Gudik

Riko JR said...

I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
distributor gamat emas kapsul
cara mengobati sakit kepala
Hopefully, sustenance will be easy and simplified in all matters :-)
PUSAT HERBAL TASIKMALAYA
obat kaki bengkak karena diabetes
cara mengobati selesma

Sharon Wood said...

I found this interesting article that may be helpful.
Norton Customer Service

Rose Blackpink said...

I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates :)

cara menurunkan leukosit tinggi
cara mengobati sesak nafas
cara menghilangkan stretch mark
cara mengobati diabetes
cara mengobati tbc

Jelly Gamat Herbal said...


I can only express a word of thanks. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge I, thank has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health. |
cara menghilangkan kejang anak |
Cara Mengobati Sariawan Di Lidah |
PUSAT HERBAL TASIKMALAYA |
Cara Menghilangkan Varises

priyanka said...


imo
imo downloading
imo download
imo app
imo apk
“For me, I’m excited that if we can do it in Lagos it can be done anywhere.

pachinkosite.info said...

It’s truly a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. 슬롯머신

slotmachine777.site said...

The kind and easy-to-understand explanation made it easy to understand difficult topics. Your writing skills are great. I want to learn great writing skills. 릴게임

sportstoto.link said...

Great goods from you. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible.

스포츠토토링크

roulettesite.top said...

Awesome!. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve
truly enjoyed browsing your blog post 온라인카지노 .

sportstoto.zone said...

I will recommend your website to everyone. You have a 스포츠토토very good gloss. Write more high-quality articles. I support you.

Fubo.tv/Activate-code said...

As you are changing to a newer TV service, you might don’t know much about FuboTV. So, we are here to help you with that. you can connect to the page by clicking on fubo.tv/activate, as we mentioned earlier. On the log in page, the code will appear that you need for the service activation. fubo.tv/activate

keo nhacai said...

That's a great article! The neatly organized content is good to see. Can I quote a blog and write it on my blog? My blog has a variety of communities including these articles. Would you like to visit me later? keo nhacai


japanyadongcom said...

Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your weblog. Feel free to visit my website;
한국야동

koreayadongcom said...

It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing. Feel free to visit my website; 국산야동

yahanvideonet said...

Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site. Feel free to visit my website;
일본야동

bwin said...

I encourage you to read this text it is fun described ...



온라인카지노
카지노사이트
바카라사이트

bwin said...

It is in reality a great and useful piece of info. Thanks for sharing. ��



바카라사이트
카지노사이트
카지노사이트홈

keonha cai said...

I accidentally searched and visited your site. I still saw several posts during my visit, but the text was neat and readable. I will quote this post and post it on my blog. Would you like to visit my blog later? keonha cai


카지노사이트 said...

Don't go past my writing! Please read my article only once. Come here and read it once카지노사이트


안전놀이터 said...

Papers get to operate through Bible helpers and also plagiarism checkers to be certain that the author did not find idle at any stage in the process. Language inconsistencies won't be a thing with your newspapers as the specialists of our school paper writing support are passionate about writing and are always excited to strike you with something fresh. By: 안전놀이터


cragro.com said...

Private Toto is an online company that provides Internet sports betting. Various betting items will be provided to Toto users and the winner will be refunded according to the set dividend rate. And among Toto sites, private Toto sites with excellent capital are called safety playgrounds. 토토사이트 뱃사공 토토사이트 안전놀이터

SAFETOTOSITEPRO18 said...

Really nice post . Thank you for posting something like this. Keep it up! 토토

SAFETOTOSITEPRO18 said...

You possess the nice and quite impressive style of writings that has touched my heart and soul. Thank you for this post. 파워볼

Totopick Pro said...

I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I'm going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week.
I opted in for your Feed too. 토토사이트

Anonymous said...

interested. Thanks!! 정보이용료현금화

Anonymous said...

Good Day, happy that i stumble on this in site. Thanks! 정보이용료현금화

Anonymous said...

Very interesting points you have remarked, appreciate it for putting up. 정보이용료현금화

safetotosite said...

Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information. Quality content is good.

casinositenet said...

Very informative and well-written post! Greatjob for your hardwork man.

mttotosite said...

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read. I definitely loved every little bit of it.

casinositeguide said...

Many thanks for the insightful information you provided.

토토사이트 순위 said...

I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great blog posts.

안전놀이터 said...

I was extremely interested in the post, and it’s impressive. Do keep posting!

카지노사이트 추천 said...

I suppose its good enough to use some of your ideas!!

파워볼실시간 said...

Your style is so unique compared to many other people.

바카라사이트 추천 said...

Pretty cool post. It’s really very nice and useful post. Keep it up!

Post a Comment