'Sestina : Altaforte' by Ezra Pound
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Loquitur: En Bertrans de Born.
Dante Alighieri put this man in hell for that he was a stirrer
up of strife.
Eccovi!
Judge ye!
Have I dug him up again?
The scene is at his castle, Altaforte. "Papiols" is his jongleur.
"The Leopard," the device of Richard Coeur de Lion.
I
Damn it all! all this our South stinks of peace.
You whoreson dog, Papiols, come! Let's to music!
I have no life save when the swords clash.
But ah! when I see the standards gold, vair, purple, opposing
And the broad fields beneath them turn crimson,
Then howl I my heart nigh mad with rejoicing.
II
In hot summer have I great rejoicing
When the tempests kill the earth's foul peace,
And the lightnings from black heav'n flash crimson,
And the fierce thunders roar me their music
And the winds shriek through the clouds mad, opposing,
And through all the riven skies God's swords clash.
III
Hell grant soon we hear again the swords clash!
And the shrill neighs of destriers in battle rejoicing,
Spiked breast to spiked breast opposing!
Better one hour's stour than a year's peace
With fat boards, bawds, wine and frail music!
Bah! there's no wine like the blood's crimson!
IV
And I love to see the sun rise blood-crimson.
And I watch his spears through the dark clash
And it fills all my heart with rejoicing
And pries wide my mouth with fast music
When I see him so scorn and defy peace,
His lone might 'gainst all darkness opposing.
V
The man who fears war and squats opposing
My words for stour, hath no blood of crimson
But is fit only to rot in womanish peace
Far from where worth's won and the swords clash
For the death of such sluts I go rejoicing;
Yea, I fill all the air with my music.
VI
Papiols, Papiols, to the music!
There's no sound like to swords swords opposing,
No cry like the battle's rejoicing
When our elbows and swords drip the crimson
And our charges 'gainst "The Leopard's" rush clash.
May God damn for ever all who cry "Peace!"
VII
And let the music of the swords make them crimson!
Hell grant soon we hear again the swords clash!
Hell blot black for alway the thought "Peace"!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Altaforte: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Ezra Pound's Altaforte is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. Written in 1908, it is a powerful and evocative exploration of war, violence, and the human condition. The poem is a sestina, a complex form of poetry that uses repetition and intricate wordplay to create meaning.
Structure of the Poem
At first glance, Altaforte appears to be a chaotic and disjointed collection of words and phrases. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is structured around a strict pattern of repetition and variation.
The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing six lines. The final word of each line in the first stanza is repeated in a specific order in the subsequent stanzas. This form of repetition is known as a sestina, and it creates a sense of cohesion and unity throughout the poem.
Themes
One of the central themes of Altaforte is war and violence. The poem is full of violent imagery and language, with Pound drawing on his own experiences as a soldier in the First World War. He uses metaphors and similes to describe the brutality of war, such as "I have made the Great War" and "I have hurled the flaming brand into the midst of the enemy."
Another important theme in the poem is the human condition. Pound explores the idea of human suffering and the struggle for meaning in a world that is often chaotic and violent. He uses powerful language to convey the intensity of these emotions, such as "I am the teeth in the jaws of the shark" and "I am the clutching, tearing fingernails of the diseases."
Language and Imagery
Pound's use of language and imagery in Altaforte is nothing short of masterful. He uses repetition and variation to create a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the poem forward. He also employs a variety of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and metaphor, to create vivid and striking images in the reader's mind.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of violent and aggressive language. Pound uses words and phrases such as "hurl," "clutching," "tearing," and "flaming brand" to create a sense of intensity and urgency. This language is intended to shock and provoke the reader, to force them to confront the brutality of war and violence.
Interpretation
Interpreting Altaforte is a complex and challenging task. On the surface, the poem appears to be a celebration of violence and aggression, with its use of violent language and imagery. However, a closer reading reveals a deeper and more complex exploration of the human condition.
At its core, Altaforte is a meditation on the nature of power and its relationship to violence. Pound portrays himself as a kind of warrior-god, a figure who wields immense power and authority. However, this power is ultimately hollow and meaningless, as it is based on violence and destruction. Pound seems to be suggesting that true power comes not from the ability to destroy, but from the ability to create and inspire.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Altaforte is a stunning and complex work of modernist poetry. Pound's use of repetition, variation, and violent imagery create a powerful and evocative portrait of war and violence. However, the poem is also a meditation on the nature of power and the human condition, and it invites the reader to consider the relationship between violence and power. Despite its challenging structure and difficult themes, Altaforte remains a testament to Pound's skill and mastery as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Altaforte: An Analysis of Ezra Pound's Classic Poetry Sestina
Ezra Pound's Altaforte is a classic example of a poetry sestina, a form of poetry that involves six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a final three-line stanza. The sestina is a complex form of poetry that requires the poet to use six words in a specific pattern throughout the poem. In this article, we will analyze and explain the significance of Altaforte, one of Pound's most famous sestinas.
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
DYLAN THOMAS DIED IN NEW YORK Dylan Thomas died in New York At the age of thirty-nine. A brain disease was the cause of death. He had been drinking heavily For several days before he died. His last words were, "I've had eighteen straight whiskies. I think that's the record."
Altaforte is a poem that is full of energy and passion. The poem is a celebration of war and the power of the human spirit. The poem is written in the voice of a soldier who is about to go into battle. The soldier is filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation, and he is ready to fight for his country.
The poem is structured in a way that reflects the soldier's state of mind. The six stanzas of the poem each use six words that are repeated in a specific pattern. The pattern is as follows:
Stanza 1: ABCDEF Stanza 2: FAEBDC Stanza 3: CFDABE Stanza 4: ECBFAD Stanza 5: DEACFB Stanza 6: BDFECA Final Stanza: ECA or ACE
The repetition of these six words creates a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. The words themselves are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a sense of urgency and excitement.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The soldier declares that he is "altogether" ready for battle. He is filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation, and he is eager to prove himself on the battlefield. The repetition of the word "altogether" emphasizes the soldier's sense of readiness and determination.
In the second stanza, the soldier declares that he is "enormous" and "passionate." These words suggest that the soldier is not just physically strong, but also emotionally and mentally strong. He is ready to face any challenge that comes his way, and he is passionate about defending his country.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The soldier declares that he is "furious" and "merciless." These words suggest that the soldier is not just a defender of his country, but also a fierce warrior who is willing to do whatever it takes to win the battle. The repetition of the word "merciless" emphasizes the soldier's determination to win at all costs.
The fourth stanza of the poem is more reflective. The soldier declares that he is "cultured" and "sensitive." These words suggest that the soldier is not just a brute force, but also a thoughtful and intelligent person. The repetition of the word "sensitive" emphasizes the soldier's emotional depth and complexity.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The soldier declares that he is "heroic" and "invincible." These words suggest that the soldier is not just a defender of his country, but also a symbol of strength and courage. The repetition of the word "invincible" emphasizes the soldier's sense of invulnerability and power.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion to the soldier's declaration. The soldier declares that he is "Altaforte," which means "high fortress" in Italian. This word suggests that the soldier is not just a physical force, but also a symbol of strength and protection. The repetition of the word "Altaforte" emphasizes the soldier's sense of power and invincibility.
In conclusion, Altaforte is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the power of the human spirit. The repetition of the six words throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that reflects the soldier's state of mind. The words themselves are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a sense of urgency and excitement. The poem is a celebration of war and the power of the human spirit, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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