I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea: But we loved with a love that was more than love-- I and my Annabel Lee; With a love that the wingèd seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsmen came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea. The angels, not half so happy in heaven, Went envying her and me-- Yes!--that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we-- Of many far wiser than we-- And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee: For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling,--my darling,--my life and my bride, In the sepulchre there by the sea, In her tomb by the sounding sea. HELPS TO STUDY. Notes and Questions. Like "The Bells," this poem is musical and the words are chosen with reference to this quality. Notice that the repetition of the word "many" adds to the music of the first line. Find other lines in which a word is repeated for the sake of melody. Find lines in which rhymes occur. Mention lines that are especially pleasing to you. What reason is given for the death of Annabel Lee? Why did the angels "covet" and "envy" the lovers? How strong was this love? Why does not the lover feel separated from Annabel Lee? Do you like this poem? Why? Words and Phrases for Discussion. "winged seraphs" "sounding sea" "sepulchre" "highborn kinsmen" "coveted" "envying" * * * * * OPPORTUNITY EDWARD ROWLAND SILL This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:-- There spread a cloud of dust along a plain; And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes. A craven hung along the battle's edge, And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel-- That blue blade that the king's son bears,--but this Blunt thing--!" he snapt and flung it from his hand, And lowering crept away and left the field. Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead, And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand, And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down, And saved a great cause that heroic day.