'Abbey Assaroe' by William Allingham
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Gray, gray is Abbey Assaroe, by Belashanny town,
It has neither door nor window, the walls are broken down;
The carven-stones lie scatter'd in briar and nettle-bed!
The only feet are those that come at burial of the dead.
A little rocky rivulet runs murmuring to the tide,
Singing a song of ancient days, in sorrow, not in pride;
The boortree and the lightsome ash across the portal grow,
And heaven itself is now the roof of Abbey Assaroe.
It looks beyond the harbour-stream to Gulban mountain blue;
It hears the voice of Erna's fall - Atlantic breakers too;
High ships go sailing past it; the sturdy clank of oars
Brings in the salmon-boat to haul a net upon the shores;
And this way to his home-creek, when the summer day is done,
Slow sculls the weary fisherman across the setting sun;
While green with corn is Sheegus Hill, his cottage white below;
But gray at every season is Abbey Assaroe.
There stood one day a poor old man above its broken bridge;
He heard no running rivulet, he saw no mountain-ridge;
He turn'd his back on Sheegus Hill, and view'd with misty sight
The Abbey walls, the burial-ground with crosses ghostly white;
Under a weary weight of years he bow'd upon his staff,
Perusing in the present time the former's epitaph;
For, gray and wasted like the walls, a figure full of woe,
This man was of the blood of them who founded Assaroe.
From Derry to Bundrowas Tower, Tirconnell broad was theirs;
Spearmen and plunder, bards and wine, and holy Abbot's prayers;
With chanting always in the house which they had builded high
To God and to Saint Bernard - where at last they came to die.
At worst, no workhouse grave for him! the ruins of his race
Shall rest among the ruin'd stones of this their saintly place.
The fond old man was weeping; and tremulous and slow
Along the rough and crooked lane he crept from Assaroe.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Abbey Assaroe: A Masterpiece by William Allingham
Have you ever read a poem that takes you on a journey through time and space, and leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder? Abbey Assaroe by William Allingham is one such poem. It is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, written in the mid-19th century, that captures the beauty and mystery of an ancient Irish abbey. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and style of Abbey Assaroe and understand why it is considered a classic of English literature.
The Poet and the Poem
Before we delve into the poem itself, let us first understand the context in which it was written. William Allingham was an Irish poet, born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in 1824. He was one of the leading poets of the mid-Victorian era and his works were admired by his contemporaries, including Alfred Tennyson, who called him "a true poet." Abbey Assaroe was written in 1854, during Allingham's stay in Ballyshannon, where he was inspired by the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Assaroe.
Abbey Assaroe is a narrative poem that tells the story of the abbey and its history. It is divided into four stanzas, each with eight lines, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABABABCC. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This gives the poem a regular rhythm that is pleasant to the ear.
The Setting and the Atmosphere
Abbey Assaroe is set in the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Assaroe, which is located on the banks of the River Erne in County Donegal, Ireland. The abbey was founded in 1184 and was an important religious and cultural center in medieval Ireland. However, it fell into disrepair after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century and was abandoned.
Allingham's description of the abbey is vivid and detailed, and he creates a strong sense of atmosphere that is both eerie and enchanting. He describes the ruins as being "gray and grand and lonely," and the "solemn stillness" that pervades the place. The imagery of "ivy crown'd" walls and "hoary" towers adds to the sense of antiquity and mystery that surrounds the abbey. The river that flows by the abbey is also an important element of the setting, and Allingham describes it as a "dark, deep stream" that has a "mournful" sound. This creates a sense of melancholy that is in keeping with the poem's theme of the passing of time and the transience of human life.
The Themes
At its core, Abbey Assaroe is a poem about the passage of time and the transience of human life. Allingham uses the abbey as a symbol of the passing of time and the impermanence of human achievements. The poem begins by describing the abbey as "gray and grand and lonely," and goes on to say that "the glory has passed away" from its walls. This suggests that the abbey was once a magnificent structure, but that it has now fallen into disrepair and is a shadow of its former self.
Allingham also explores the idea of the impermanence of human life. He describes the people who built and inhabited the abbey as being long gone, and says that they are now "forgotten, and gone, and dead." This highlights the fleeting nature of human existence and the fact that everything we do is ultimately temporary.
Despite the melancholic tone of the poem, Allingham also suggests that there is something enduring and eternal about the abbey. He describes it as being "touched with a glory that cannot fade," and suggests that there is something timeless and enduring about the place. This creates a sense of hope and optimism that is in keeping with the Victorian era's belief in progress and the triumph of the human spirit.
The Imagery
One of the strengths of Abbey Assaroe is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Allingham's descriptions of the abbey are rich and detailed, and he creates a strong sense of atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the abbey's towers as being "hoary." This suggests that they are old and weathered, and creates a sense of the abbey's antiquity. The image of the "ivy crown'd" walls also adds to this sense of age and decay, and suggests that the abbey has been abandoned for a long time.
The river that flows by the abbey is also an important image in the poem. Allingham describes it as a "dark, deep stream" that has a "mournful" sound. This creates a sense of melancholy and adds to the poem's theme of the passing of time and the transience of human life.
The Style
Allingham's writing style in Abbey Assaroe is straightforward and simple, but also elegant and evocative. He uses a consistent rhyme scheme and meter to create a regular rhythm that is pleasing to the ear, and his use of vivid imagery creates a strong sense of atmosphere.
One of the most effective stylistic devices used in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "and the glory has passed away." This creates a sense of melancholy and reinforces the poem's theme of the fleeting nature of human achievements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Abbey Assaroe is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that captures the beauty and mystery of an ancient Irish abbey. Through his use of vivid imagery and evocative language, Allingham creates a strong sense of atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem's themes of the passing of time and the transience of human life are timeless and universal, and resonate with readers today as much as they did in the 19th century. Abbey Assaroe is a classic of English literature and a testament to William Allingham's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Abbey Assaroe: A Masterpiece of Irish Literature
William Allingham's "Poetry Abbey Assaroe" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of Irish literature that captures the essence of the Irish landscape and the people who inhabit it. The poem is a tribute to the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to evoke emotions and memories.
The poem is set in the ruins of the Abbey of Assaroe, which is located in County Donegal, Ireland. The abbey was founded in the 12th century and was a place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries. However, it fell into disrepair over time and is now a ruin. Allingham uses the abbey as a metaphor for the transience of life and the impermanence of human achievements.
The poem begins with a description of the abbey ruins. Allingham describes the "broken arches" and the "mouldering stones" that are scattered around the site. He also notes the "ivy-mantled tower" that still stands tall despite the ravages of time. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
Allingham then turns his attention to the natural world that surrounds the abbey. He describes the "rippling waters" of the river that flows nearby and the "purple heather" that covers the hills. He also notes the "golden gorse" that blooms in the fields and the "silver mist" that hangs over the landscape. The imagery is rich and colorful, and it creates a sense of wonder and awe.
Allingham then introduces the theme of poetry. He notes that the abbey was once a place of "holy song" and that the monks who lived there were "versed in mystic lore." He also notes that the abbey is now a place where "the poet's voice is heard." Allingham suggests that poetry has the power to transcend time and to connect us with the past.
Allingham then reflects on the fleeting nature of life. He notes that the "monks are gone" and that the "pilgrims cease to roam." He also notes that the "poet's voice will die." Allingham suggests that everything in life is temporary and that we should cherish the moments we have.
Allingham then concludes the poem with a call to action. He urges us to "build the lofty rhyme" and to "sing the holy song." He suggests that poetry has the power to inspire us and to connect us with something greater than ourselves.
Overall, "Poetry Abbey Assaroe" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the Irish landscape and the people who inhabit it. It is a tribute to the beauty of nature and the power of poetry to evoke emotions and memories. It is a reminder that everything in life is temporary and that we should cherish the moments we have. It is a call to action to build the lofty rhyme and to sing the holy song. It is a masterpiece of Irish literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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