'Canto 13' by Ezra Pound

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Kung walkedby the dynastic temple
and into the cedar grove,and then out by the lower river,
And with him Khieu Tchiand Tian the low speaking
And "we are unknown," said Kung,
"You will take up charioteering?"Then you will become known,
"Or perhaps I should take up charioterring, or archery?
"Or the practice of public speaking?"
And Tseu-lou said, "I would put the defences in order,"
And Khieu said, "If I were lord of a province
"I would put it in better order than this is."
And Tchi said, "I would prefer a small mountain temple,
"With order in the observances,with a suitable performance of the ritual,"
And Tian said, with his hand on the strings of his lute
The low sounds continuingafter his hand left the strings,
And the sound went up like smoke, under the leaves,
And he looked after the sound:"The old swimming hole,
"And the boys flopping off the planks,
"Or sitting in the underbrush playing mandolins."And Kung smiled upon all of them equally.
And Thseng-sie desired to know:"Which had answered correctly?"
And Kung said, "They have all answered correctly,
"That is to say, each in his nature."
And Kung raised his cane against Yuan Jang,Yuan Jang being his elder,
For Yuan Jang sat by the roadside pretending tobe receiving wisdom.
And Kung said"You old fool, come out of it,
"Get up and do something useful."And Kung said
"Respect a child's faculties
"From the moment it inhales the clear air,
"But a man of fifty who knows nothngIs worthy of no respect."
And "When the prince has gathered about him
"All the savants and artists, his riches will be fully employed."
And Kung said, and wrote on the bo leaves:If a man have not order within him
He can not spread order about him;
And if a man have not order within him
His family will not act with due order;And if the prince have not order within him
He can not put order in his dominions.
And Kung gave the words "order"
and "brotherly deference"
And said nothing of the "life after death."
And he said"Anyone can run to excesses,
"It is easy to shoot past the mark,
"It is hard to stand firm in the middle."And they said: If a man commit murderShould his father protect him, and hide him?
And Kung said:He should hide him.And Kung gave his daughter to Kong-TchangAlthough Kong-Tchang was in prison.
And he gave his niece to Nan-Youngalthough Nan-Young was out of office.
And Kung said "Wan ruled with moderation,"In his day the State was well kept,
"And even I can remember
"A day when the historians left blanks in their writings,
"I mean, for things they didn't know,
"But that time seems to be passing.
A day when the historians left blanks in their writings,
But that time seems to be passing."
And Kung said, "Without character you will"be unable to play on that instrument
"Or to execute the music fit for the Odes.
"The blossoms of the apricot"blow from the east to the west,
"And I have tried to keep them from falling."

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Intricate Craftsmanship of Ezra Pound's Canto 13

Ezra Pound's Canto 13 is a complex and intricate work that combines historical, mythological, and literary references to create a multi-layered narrative that explores themes of love, war, and human mortality. Written in the early 20th century, this poem is part of Pound's larger project, the Cantos, which he described as "a poem including history." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the intricate craftsmanship of Canto 13 and the rich themes it explores.

The Structure of Canto 13

Canto 13 is a 73-line poem that is divided into seven stanzas. Each stanza has a different number of lines, ranging from three to thirteen, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The poem begins with a description of a battlefield, where the speaker hears the sound of a trumpet and sees a group of soldiers riding towards him. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the themes of love and mortality, and the role they play in human life.

The structure of the poem is significant because it reflects the content of the poem. The fragmented structure of the Cantos reflects Pound's belief that history is fragmented and that it is the poet's job to put the fragments together. The consistent rhyme scheme of the poem, despite its fragmented structure, creates a sense of unity and cohesion, which reflects the idea that despite the fragmented nature of history, there are still universal themes that connect us all.

Mythological and Literary References in Canto 13

One of the most striking features of Canto 13 is the way in which Pound incorporates mythological and literary references into the poem. The poem opens with a reference to the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, which is described as "the great defeat." This reference sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Pound explores the themes of war and human mortality.

Throughout the poem, Pound references a number of mythological and literary figures, including Aeneas, Dido, and Odysseus. These references serve to connect the themes of the poem to larger cultural and historical contexts. For example, Pound's reference to Aeneas and Dido highlights the theme of love and the way in which it is often intertwined with tragedy. The reference to Odysseus serves to connect the theme of mortality to the epic journey of life.

The Role of Love in Canto 13

Love is a central theme in Canto 13, and Pound explores it from a variety of perspectives. One of the most significant references in the poem is to the medieval troubadours, who were poets and musicians known for their songs about courtly love. Pound's reference to the troubadours serves to highlight the way in which love has been a central theme in poetry throughout history.

In addition to the troubadours, Pound also references the story of Aeneas and Dido, which is a classic example of tragic love. The story of Aeneas and Dido is a cautionary tale about the dangers of love and the way in which it can lead to tragedy. Pound's reference to this story serves to highlight the way in which love can be both beautiful and dangerous.

The Theme of Mortality in Canto 13

The theme of mortality is another central theme in Canto 13. Pound explores this theme through his references to the Trojan War and the epic journey of Odysseus. These references serve to highlight the way in which human life is marked by struggle and mortality.

One of the key moments in the poem is when Pound describes the soldiers riding towards him on the battlefield. The image of the soldiers on horseback serves to highlight the way in which human life is marked by struggle and conflict. The sound of the trumpet, which is mentioned at the beginning of the poem, serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death.

Pound's Use of Imagery and Language

One of the most striking features of Canto 13 is Pound's use of imagery and language. Pound is known for his experiments with language, and Canto 13 is a clear example of his unique approach to poetry. One of the most significant examples of this is Pound's use of Chinese characters in the poem.

Pound's use of Chinese characters serves to highlight the way in which language can be used to connect cultures and create new forms of expression. The use of Chinese characters also reflects Pound's interest in Eastern philosophy and his belief in the importance of connecting Eastern and Western cultures.

In addition to his use of Chinese characters, Pound also employs a variety of other techniques in the poem, including alliteration, repetition, and imagery. For example, the repeated use of the phrase "the great defeat" serves to emphasize the theme of war and conflict in the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ezra Pound's Canto 13 is a complex and intricate work that explores themes of love, war, and mortality. Pound's use of mythological and literary references, as well as his experimentation with language and imagery, create a multi-layered narrative that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Despite its fragmented structure, the poem is unified by a consistent rhyme scheme and a set of universal themes that connect us all. As readers, we are invited to explore these themes and to reflect on the role that love, war, and mortality play in our own lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ezra Pound's Canto 13 is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of the poet's vision of history, culture, and humanity. The poem is a part of Pound's epic poem, The Cantos, which he wrote over a period of several decades. Canto 13 is a complex and multi-layered work that requires careful analysis and interpretation. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of Canto 13 to understand its significance and relevance in contemporary times.

The poem begins with a reference to the ancient Greek poet Homer, who is considered the father of Western literature. Pound invokes Homer's name to establish a connection with the classical tradition and to suggest that his own work is a continuation of that tradition. The opening lines of the poem also introduce the theme of history, which is a central concern of The Cantos. Pound writes, "Homer, they tell us, was blind and could not see the beautiful faces / Looking up into his own." This line suggests that even though Homer was physically blind, he was able to see the beauty of the world through his poetry. Pound is suggesting that poetry has the power to transcend physical limitations and to reveal the deeper truths of existence.

The next few lines of the poem introduce the character of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. Pound writes, "Odysseus, / Rafts, we are / Cattle, we are driven to the mainland." This line suggests that Odysseus is a symbol of human resilience and endurance. He is able to survive the trials and tribulations of his journey and to return home to his family. Pound is suggesting that human beings have the capacity to overcome adversity and to triumph over the challenges of life.

The poem then shifts to a description of the landscape of Italy, where Pound was living at the time he wrote The Cantos. He writes, "The white violet / Is scented on the hill, / The elbow of the river, / The little silver / Trout-stream." This description of the natural world is a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Pound is suggesting that even in the midst of the chaos and destruction of history, there is still beauty and goodness to be found in the world.

The next few lines of the poem introduce the theme of culture and civilization. Pound writes, "The gods are displaced, / The heavens overcast." This line suggests that the traditional gods of Western civilization have been replaced by new gods and new ideologies. Pound is suggesting that the old order of civilization has been disrupted and that a new order is emerging. He is also suggesting that the new order is not necessarily better than the old order.

The poem then shifts to a description of the city of Venice, which Pound visited several times during his life. He writes, "Venice, / The lion at the corner / Of the sea, / The winged lion." This description of Venice is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Italy and of the importance of preserving that heritage. Pound is suggesting that culture and civilization are essential to human life and that they must be protected and nurtured.

The next few lines of the poem introduce the theme of war and violence. Pound writes, "The black ships / Of the enemy / On the blue sea." This line suggests that war and violence are a constant threat to human civilization. Pound is suggesting that human beings have a tendency to resort to violence and aggression in order to resolve conflicts. He is also suggesting that war and violence are destructive forces that can undermine the foundations of civilization.

The poem then shifts to a description of the city of Rome, which Pound visited several times during his life. He writes, "Rome, / The golden, / The unreturning." This description of Rome is a reminder of the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome and of the importance of preserving that legacy. Pound is suggesting that history and culture are intertwined and that the preservation of cultural heritage is essential to the preservation of history.

The next few lines of the poem introduce the theme of religion and spirituality. Pound writes, "The sacred wood / Of the goddess, / Hidden in the hill, / The divine grove." This line suggests that religion and spirituality are essential to human life and that they provide a sense of meaning and purpose. Pound is suggesting that the search for spiritual enlightenment is a fundamental human quest and that it is essential to the preservation of human civilization.

The poem then shifts to a description of the city of Paris, which Pound visited several times during his life. He writes, "Paris, / The city of light, / The city of love." This description of Paris is a reminder of the importance of art and culture in human life. Pound is suggesting that art and culture are essential to human flourishing and that they provide a sense of beauty and joy in the world.

The final lines of the poem return to the theme of history. Pound writes, "The river flows, / The seasons turn, / The old gods / Are forgotten, / The new gods / Are born." This line suggests that history is a cyclical process and that civilizations rise and fall over time. Pound is suggesting that human beings must learn from the lessons of history in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

In conclusion, Canto 13 is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the themes of history, culture, civilization, war, religion, and spirituality. Pound's use of imagery and language is masterful, and his ability to capture the essence of human experience is unparalleled. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to reveal the deeper truths of existence and to inspire us to strive for a better world.

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