The Corsair: Sonnet II
To Genevra
The Corsair: Sonnet II - meaning Summary
Melancholy Gentle Majesty
The speaker describes Genevra’s pale, thoughtful beauty that combines sternness and tenderness. Her deep-blue eyes and long lashes convey a melancholy gentleness that inspires both pity and reverence. The image briefly evokes the speaker’s maternal softness, suggesting compassion rather than mere desire. The sonnet emphasizes an admixture of majesty and sweetness: the narrator admires and almost worships her, yet insists that this reverence does not diminish his love.
Read Complete AnalysesThy cheek is pale with thought, but not from woe, And yet so lovely, that if Mirth could flush Its rose of whiteness with the brightest blush, My heart would wish away that ruder glow:— And dazzle not thy deep-blue eyes—but oh! While gazing on them sterner eyes will gush, And into mine my mother's weakness rush, Soft as the last drops round heaven's airy bow; For, through thy long dark lashes low depending, The soul of melancholy Gentleness Gleams like a seraph from the sky descending, Above all pain, yet pitying all distress; At once such majesty with sweetness blending, I worship more, but cannot love thee less.
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