La Belle Dame Sans Mercy
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon
They all must go who'd find her boon.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
West o' the Moon, East o' the Sun,
Thither are many roads that run,
But the right road is the only one.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
Her heart (woe's me!) is locked and cold-
A secret chamber filled with gold.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
Straight as a lily-wand is she,
Her face is pale as lilies be,
Her brown hair floweth to her knee.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
Her hands are idle hands and white,
They spin nor weave by day or night.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
And yet those slender hands, God wot,
Have dug graves in her garden plot
'Neath tangles of forget-me-not.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy! )
There is no Saint in Paradise
Bends brows above such holy eyes.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
And be her eyes or blue or grey,
There lives no man on earth to say,
Yet her eyes draw men's souls away
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
And who dare kiss her on the mouth
Knows no more hunger, no more drouth.
(La Belle Dame Sans Mercy!)
And whoso she hath kissed again
Is blest among all other men:
But Heaven's gate shuts him agen
And La Belle Dame Sans Mercy.
Nora Hopper Chesson's La Belle Dame Sans Mercy
I am busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "La Belle Dame Sans Mercy" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.
At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:
- Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
- Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
- Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
- Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Nora Hopper Chesson's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for the complete interpretation, I invite you to explore other musical arrangements in my gallery or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "La Belle Dame Sans Mercy" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.
© 2024-2025 R.I.Chalmers (V2Melody).
All music on this site by R.I.Chalmers (V2Melody) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Attribution Requirement:
When using this music, you must give appropriate credit by including the following statement (or equivalent) wherever the music is used or credited:
“Music by R.I.Chalmers (V2Melody) – https://v2melody.com”
Support My Work:
If you enjoy this music and would like to support future creations, donations are always welcome but never required.
Donate