Bronte also wrote personal lyrics unconnected with the Gondal stories; but both groups of poems share a drive to break through the constrictions of ordinary life, whether by the transfigurative power of the imagination, by union with another, or by death itself. Like Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, the speakers of Bronte's poems yearn for a fuller, freer world of spirit, transcending the forms and limits of mortal life. Her concern with a visionary world links her to the Romantic poets, particularly to Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley; but her hymnlike stanzas have a haunting quality that distinguishes her individual voice.
I'm happiest when most away
I'm happiest when most away I can bear my soul from its home of clay On a windy night when the moon is bright And the eye can wander through worlds of light?
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131 2 / EMIL Y BRONT E 5 When I am not and none beside? Nor earth nor sea nor cloudless sky? But only spirit wandering wide Through infinite immensity. 1838 1910 The Night-Wind In summer's mellow midnight, A cloudless moon shone through Our open parlour window And rosetrees wet with dew. ? I sat in silent musing, The soft wind waved my hair: It told me Heaven was glorious. And sleeping Earth was fair. ioI needed not its breathing To bring such thoughts to me, But still it whispered lowly, 'How dark the woods will be! 15'The thick leaves in my murmur Are rustling like a dream, And all their myriad voices Instinct0 with spirit seem.' imbued 20I said, 'Go, gentle singer, Thy wooing voice is kind, But do not think its music Has power to reach my mind. 'Play with the scented flower, The young tree's supple bough, And leave my human feelings In their own course to flow.' 25 The wanderer would not leave me; Its kiss grew warmer still? 'O come,' it sighed so sweetly, 'I'll win thee 'gainst thy will. 30'Have we not been from childhood friends? Have I not loved thee long? As long as thou hast loved the night Whose silence wakes my song. 'And when thy heart is laid at rest Beneath the church-yard stone
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REMEMBRANCE / 131 3
35 I shall have time enough to mourn And thou to be alone.'
1840 1850
Remembrance1
Cold in the earth, and the deep snow piled above thee! Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave! Have I forgot, my Only Love, to love thee, Severed at last by Time's all-wearing wave?
5 Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover Over the mountains, on that northern shore; Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover Thy noble heart for ever, ever more?
Cold in the earth, and fifteen wild Decembers
io From those brown hills have melted into spring? Faithful indeed is the spirit that remembers After such years of change and suffering!
Sweet Love of youth, forgive if I forget thee While the World's tide is bearing me along: 15 Other desires and other hopes beset me, Hopes which obscure but cannot do thee wrong.
No later light has lightened up my heaven, No second morn has ever shone for me: All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given?
20 All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee.
But when the days of golden dreams had perished And even Despair was powerless to destroy, Then did I learn how existence could be cherished, Strengthened and fed without the aid of joy;
25 Then did I check the tears of useless passion, Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine; Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten Down to that tomb already more than mine!
And even yet, I dare not let it languish,
30 Dare not indulge in Memory's rapturous pain; Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish, How could I seek the empty world again?
1845 1846
1. Titled in manuscript 'R. Alcona to J. Breznaida,' this poem was originally composed as a lament by the heroine of the Gondal saga for the hero's death.
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131 4 / EMILY BRONTE
Stars
Ah! why, because the dazzling sun Restored our earth to joy Have you departed, every one, And left a desert sky?
5 All through the night, your glorious eyes Were gazing down in mine, And with a full heart's thankful sighs I blessed that watch divine!
I was at peace, and drank your beams
10 As they were life to me And revelled in my changeful dreams Like petrel0 on the sea. small dark seabirds
Thought followed thought?star followed star Through boundless regions on, 15 While one sweet influence, near and far, Thrilled through and proved us one.
Why did the morning dawn to break So great, so pure a spell, And scorch with fire the tranquil cheek
20 Where your cool radiance fell?
Rlood-red he rose, and arrow-straight His fierce beams struck my brow: The soul of Nature sprang elate, But mine sank sad and low!
25 My lids closed down?yet through their veil I saw him blazing still; And steep in gold the misty dale And
