'Larghetto' by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
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Grant me but a day, love,
But a day,
Ere I give my heart,
My heart away,
Ere I say the word
I'll ne'er unsay.
Is it earnest with me?
Is it play?
Did the world in arms
Cry to me, "Stay!"
Not a moment then
Would I delay.
Yet, for very love,
I say thee nay.
Ere I give my heart,
My heart away,
Grant me but a day, love,
But a day!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Wow, what a poem. Larghetto, written by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge, is a beautiful and haunting piece of poetry that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. This poem has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its poignant and moving imagery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the language, themes, and underlying meaning of this classic poem.
Background
Before we dive into the text itself, let's take a moment to explore the background of the poem and its author. Mary Elizabeth Coleridge was born in 1861 and was the daughter of the poet Arthur Coleridge. She was a talented writer in her own right and was known for her poetry and short stories. Larghetto, which was published in 1907, is one of her most acclaimed works and is considered a classic of English literature.
Analysis
Language
One of the most striking elements of Larghetto is its beautiful language. Coleridge's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and evocative world that draws the reader in. For example, in the first stanza, she writes:
Slowly the west reaches for clothes of new colours
which it passes to a row of ancient trees.
You look, and soon these two worlds both leave you
one part climbs toward heaven, one sinks to earth.
Here, Coleridge uses the image of the setting sun to create a sense of transition and change. The west "reaches for clothes of new colours", suggesting the passing of one day and the beginning of another. The "row of ancient trees" creates a sense of stability and continuity, contrasting with the fleeting nature of the sunset. The final two lines create a powerful image of two worlds moving in opposite directions, with one part "climbing toward heaven" and the other "sinking to earth". This creates a sense of tension and contrast that sets up the themes of the poem.
Throughout the poem, Coleridge uses language to create vivid and evocative images. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
Slowly the moon climbs: shines in the leaves of the old oak:
oh, dreamily earthward, over the roofs,
her dimnesses trickle down, penetrating
the soarings of the trees.
Here, Coleridge uses the image of the moon climbing and shining in the leaves of the old oak to create a sense of peace and tranquillity. The "dimnesses" that "trickle down" suggest a gentle permeation of light and shadow that creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The "soarings of the trees" suggest a sense of movement and upward motion, contrasting with the downward movement of the moon. This creates a sense of balance and harmony that is both peaceful and melancholic.
Themes
Larghetto explores a number of themes, including love, loss, and the passage of time. One of the most prominent themes is the transience of life and the inevitability of change. Throughout the poem, Coleridge uses images of the setting sun, the rising moon, and the changing seasons to create a sense of the fleeting nature of life. For example, in the third stanza, she writes:
Slowly the hours go by: slowly you grasp it:
he who is gone is gone for ever.
Here, Coleridge uses language to create a sense of finality and loss. The "hours" that "go by" suggest the passage of time, while the statement "he who is gone is gone for ever" creates a sense of irrevocable loss. This theme of loss and finality is continued in the final stanza, where Coleridge writes:
Slowly the agony of love departs:
slowly, slowly, drawing the limbs apart
from grief and pain, from horribly clinging sorrow:
slowly the ache of love yields to new rhythms.
Here, Coleridge uses the image of love as a painful and lingering ache that slowly fades away over time. The "new rhythms" suggest a sense of renewal and change, contrasting with the stagnant nature of grief and sorrow. This creates a sense of hope and optimism that is both poignant and uplifting.
Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Coleridge trying to say with this poem? At its core, Larghetto is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change. Coleridge uses language and imagery to create a sense of transience and loss, while also exploring themes of love and renewal. The poem suggests that while life may be fleeting and temporary, there is still hope for renewal and change.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the process of grieving. The image of the setting sun and the rising moon suggests a cyclical nature to life and death, while the final stanza suggests a sense of release and renewal. The poem suggests that while grief may be painful and overwhelming, it is also a natural and necessary part of the process of healing and renewal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Larghetto is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Coleridge's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative world that draws the reader in and creates a sense of transience and change. The poem suggests that while life may be fleeting and temporary, there is still hope for renewal and change. Overall, Larghetto is a timeless classic of English literature that continues to captivate and move readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Larghetto: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's Poetry Larghetto is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery that captures the essence of human experience. The poem is a beautiful expression of the human condition, and it speaks to us on a deep and personal level. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and emotions that make Poetry Larghetto such a powerful and enduring work of art.
The poem begins with a description of a "dim-lit room," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The darkness of the room is a metaphor for the darkness of the human soul, and it suggests that the speaker is in a state of emotional turmoil. The use of the word "dim-lit" is also significant because it implies that there is some light in the room, but it is not enough to dispel the darkness. This is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, where we often feel like we are in a state of darkness, even when there is some light in our lives.
The next line of the poem is equally powerful: "The clock ticks on with a dull, slow beat." This line creates a sense of timelessness, as if the speaker is trapped in a moment that will never end. The use of the word "dull" suggests that the speaker is bored or disinterested in what is happening around them, while the word "slow" implies that time is moving at a snail's pace. This is a common feeling for many people who are struggling with depression or other emotional issues. They feel like time is moving too slowly, and they are trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and despair.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings in more detail. We learn that there is a "faded carpet" on the floor, and that the "curtains hang in heavy folds." These details create a sense of decay and neglect, as if the room has been abandoned for a long time. The use of the word "faded" suggests that the carpet was once bright and vibrant, but it has lost its color over time. This is a metaphor for the speaker's own life, which may have once been full of joy and happiness, but has now lost its luster.
The next line of the poem is one of the most powerful: "The fire burns low, and the embers glow." This line creates a sense of warmth and comfort, but it also suggests that the fire is dying out. The use of the word "low" implies that the fire is not as strong as it once was, while the word "embers" suggests that the fire is on the verge of going out completely. This is a metaphor for the speaker's own emotional state, which may have once been full of passion and energy, but is now fading away.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's thoughts and emotions in more detail. We learn that the speaker is "lost in thought," and that their "heart beats slow and faint." These details create a sense of introspection and self-reflection, as if the speaker is trying to understand their own emotions. The use of the word "lost" suggests that the speaker is struggling to find their way, while the word "faint" implies that their emotions are not as strong as they once were.
The next line of the poem is one of the most beautiful: "The music swells, and the notes entwine." This line creates a sense of beauty and harmony, as if the music is a balm for the speaker's troubled soul. The use of the word "swells" suggests that the music is building to a crescendo, while the word "entwine" implies that the notes are weaving together in a beautiful tapestry. This is a metaphor for the power of art to heal and uplift the human spirit.
The final lines of the poem are a powerful expression of the speaker's emotions: "And my heart is full, and my eyes are wet, / And I know not why, but I cannot forget." These lines create a sense of catharsis and release, as if the speaker has finally found a way to express their emotions. The use of the word "full" suggests that the speaker's heart is overflowing with emotion, while the word "wet" implies that they are crying tears of joy or sadness. The final line, "And I know not why, but I cannot forget," is a powerful expression of the human experience. We often feel emotions that we cannot explain, but they stay with us long after the moment has passed.
In conclusion, Poetry Larghetto is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a beautiful expression of the human condition, and it speaks to us on a deep and personal level. The themes of darkness, decay, and introspection are powerful metaphors for the struggles that we all face in life. The imagery of the dim-lit room, the fading carpet, and the dying fire create a sense of decay and neglect, while the music and the notes entwining create a sense of beauty and harmony. The final lines of the poem are a powerful expression of the speaker's emotions, and they remind us that we are all connected by our shared experiences of joy and sorrow. Poetry Larghetto is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move us for generations to come.
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