The Harp of Aengus

William Butler Yeats

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Edain came out of Midhir's hill, and lay
Beside young Aengus in his tower of glass,
Where time is drowned in odour-laden winds
And Druid moons, and murmuring of boughs,
And sleepy boughs, and boughs where apples made
Of opal and ruby and pale chrysolite
Awake unsleeping fires; and wove seven strings,
Sweet with all music, out of his long hair,
Because her hands had been made wild by love.
When Midhir's wife had changed her to a fly,
He made a harp with Druid apple-wood
That she among her winds might know he wept;
And from that hour he has watched over none
But faithful lovers.

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Comments1
  • I've always loved The Harp of Aengus since I read it when I was younger. The imagery in the poem is so vivid and beautiful, especially the lines talking about "apples made, Of opal and ruby and pale chrysolite Awake unsleeping fires." There's something so enchanting and ethereal about the world that the poem creates. The story of love and magic between Edain and Aengus is so captivating, and the harp itself is just the perfect symbol of their love. It's a poem that stays with you long after you've finished reading it.