The Night-Swans by Walter De la Mare 'Tis silence on the…
““The Night-Swans by Walter De la Mare 'Tis silence on the enchanted lake, And silence in the air serene, Save for the beating of her heart, The lovely-eyed Evangeline. She sings across the waters clear And dark with trees and stars between, The notes her fairy godmother Taught her, the child Evangeline. As might the unrippled pool reply, Faltering an answer far and sweet, Three swans as white as mountain snow Swim mantling to her feet. And still upon the lake they stay, Their eyes black stars in all their snow, And softly, in the glassy pool, Their feet beat darkly to and fro. She rides upon her little boat, Her swans swim through the starry sheen, Rowing her into Fairyland-- The lovely-eyed Evangeline. 'Tis silence on the enchanted lake, And silence in the air serene; Voices shall call in vain again On earth the child Evangeline. 'Evangeline! Evangeline!' Upstairs, downstairs, all in vain. Her room is dim; her flowers faded; She answers not again.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lyrical meditation on longing, silence, and the fragile hope of a young girl yearning for connection amidst an enchanted, yet isolated, setting.
In simple terms: A girl longs for love and hears swans in a quiet lake.
Key Takeaway
Listen to quiet yearning and seek gentle connection.
Themes
longing
silence
hope
fantasy
isolation
Mood
melancholic
dreamy
hopeful
Type
poetic
lyspirational
When to use this quote
- nighttime reflection
- creative writing
- personal introspection
- emotional healing
Key Concepts
mythic symbolism
inner yearning
nature as mirror
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the lake represent in your own moments of silence?
- How can you honor quiet yearning without becoming trapped?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s romantic tone may overlook real‑world struggles of isolation.