Explore Poetry: 'Meeting at Night'

In this activity, we will be looking at how poets use sounds.

 

The work is going to be based around a poem by Robert Browning (1812–1899):

 

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Meeting at Night

 

 

I.

The grey sea and the long black land;

And the yellow half-moon large and low;

And the startled little waves that leap

In fiery ringlets from their sleep,

As I gain the cove with pushing prow,

And quench its speed i' the slushy sand.

 

II.

Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;

Three fields to cross till a farm appears;

A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch

And blue spurt of a lighted match,

And a voice less loud, thro' its joys and fears,

Than the two hearts beating each to each!

 

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You can look at the poem at any point while doing the questions by clicking on the red Help button on the screen.

 

Let's get started.