There’s a [wandering shadow] that stares at the foam,

Though they sing all the night to old England, their queen,

Late, late in the evening Kilmeny came home,

And nobody knew where Kilmeny had been.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. Alfred Noyes (1880-⸺), an English poet, lives in London. He was educated at Oxford, where for three years he rowed on the college crew. As soon as his college days were over he devoted himself to literature, contributing to many English magazines. During the World War he wrote many stirring poems, of which “Kilmeny” is among the best. In 1918-1919 Mr. Noyes was professor of literature in Princeton University.

Discussion. 1. What picture does the first stanza give you? 2. What suggests to you the work in which the trawler was engaged? 3. Which stanza suggests the result of Kilmeny’s trip? 4. What was the magic that called Kilmeny to the quest? 5. What other poems of the sea have you read in this book? 6. Tell what you know about the author.

Phrases