The Haunted Palace by Edgar Allan Poe
Analysis
"The Haunted Palace" written by Edgar Allan Poe was originally published in the April 1839 issue of Baltimore Museum. It is seen as an allegory for a king "in the olden time long ago" who is afraid of evil forces which foreshadows his impending doom. After the family's fall, they become phantoms.
This six stanza poem with eight lines in each. It contains the rhyme scheme ABABCDCD. However, the rhyme scheme is often imperfect.
Poem
The Haunted Palace In the greenest of our valleys By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace- Radiant palace- reared its head. In the monarch Thought's dominion- It stood there! Never seraph spread a pinion Over fabric half so fair! Banners yellow, glorious, golden, On its roof did float and flow, (This- all this- was in the olden Time long ago,) And every gentle air that dallied, In that sweet day, Along the ramparts plumed and pallid, A winged odor went away. Wanderers in that happy valley, Through two luminous windows, saw Spirits moving musically, To a lute's well-tuned law, Round about a throne where, sitting (Porphyrogene!) In state his glory well-befitting, The ruler of the realm was seen. And all with pearl and ruby glowing Was the fair palace door, Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing, And sparkling evermore, A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty Was but to sing, In voices of surpassing beauty, The wit and wisdom of their king. But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate. (Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow Shall dawn upon him desolate!) And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed. And travellers, now, within that valley, Through the red-litten windows see Vast forms, that move fantastically To a discordant melody, While, like a ghastly rapid river, Through the pale door A hideous throng rush out forever And laugh- but smile no more. Published in 1839.
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Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
Romanticism, 19th Century
Subjects
Nature
Find out more information about this poem and read others like it.
Nationality
American
Literary Movement
Romanticism, 19th Century
Subjects
Nature