'A Leave-Taking' by Algernon Charles Swinburne
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A Leave-Taking
Let us go hence, my songs; she will not hear.
Let us go hence together without fear;
Keep silence now, for singing?time is over,
And over all old things and all things dear.
She loves not you nor me as we all love her.
Yea, though we sang as angels in her ear,
She would not hear.
Let us rise up and part; she will not know.
Let us go seaward as the great winds go,
Full of blown sand and foam; what help is here?
There is no help, for all these things are so,
And all the world is bitter as a tear.
And how these things are, though ye strove to show,
She would not know.
Let us go home and hence; she will not weep.
We gave love many dreams and days to keep,
Flowers without scent, and fruits that would not grow,
Saying, `If thou wilt, thrust in thy sickle and reap.'
All is reaped now; no grass is left to mow;
And we that sowed, though all we fell on sleep,
She would not weep.
Let us go hence and rest; she will not love.
She shall not hear us if we sing hereof,
Nor see love's ways, how sore they are and steep.
Come hence, let be, lie still; it is enough.
Love is a barren sea, bitter and deep;
And though she saw all heaven in flower above,
She would not love.
Let us give up, go down; she will not care.
Though all the stars made gold of all the air,
And the sea moving saw before it move
One moon?flower making all the foam?flowers fair;
Though all those waves went over us, and drove
Deep down the stifling lips and drowning hair,
She would not care.
Let us go hence, go hence; she will not see.
Sing all once more together; surely she,
She too, remembering days and words that were,
Will turn a little toward us, sighing; but we,
We are hence, we are gone, as though we had not been there.
Nay, and though all men seeing had pity on me,
She would not see.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Leave-Taking: A Critical Analysis
Algernon Charles Swinburne's "A Leave-Taking" is a beautiful, emotional poem that captures the feeling of loss and separation. It is a poem that resonates with anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to a loved one.
Background
Algernon Charles Swinburne was an English poet and critic who lived from 1837 to 1909. He was one of the leading poets of the Victorian era, known for his lyrical and sensual style. Swinburne was a controversial figure in his time, with his works often considered too scandalous for public consumption.
"A Leave-Taking" was first published in Swinburne's collection "Poems and Ballads" in 1866. The collection was met with controversy due to its explicit themes, but it also received critical acclaim for its innovative style and use of language.
Literary Devices
The poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that has fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Swinburne uses the sonnet form to convey the emotion of the poem, creating a sense of structure and order amidst the chaos of loss.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. The first eight lines, or octave, present the problem or situation, while the last six lines, or sestet, provide the resolution or conclusion.
Swinburne also uses a variety of other literary devices to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. He uses metaphors, alliteration, repetition, and imagery to create a vivid and powerful image of loss.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the speaker bidding farewell to a loved one. The speaker is filled with sadness and despair, knowing that they may never see their loved one again. The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker saying "Go from me, summer friends, and tarry not."
The use of the word "summer" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the relationship between the speaker and their loved one. Summer is a season that is known for its warmth and brightness, but it is also a season that is fleeting and temporary. The use of the word "friends" also suggests that the relationship between the speaker and their loved one was not necessarily romantic, but rather a close friendship.
The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the natural world, with references to the "leaves of life" and the "fruitful bough." These images suggest that life goes on, even in the absence of the loved one. However, the speaker is unable to find solace in this beauty, as their heart is heavy with grief.
The second quatrain of the poem introduces the metaphor of the "dead leaves" to describe the speaker's sense of loss. The dead leaves are a symbol of decay and death, and their presence in the poem suggests that the speaker feels as though a part of themselves has died with the departure of their loved one.
The use of repetition in the third quatrain emphasizes the speaker's sense of longing and desperation. The repetition of the phrase "I cannot change" suggests that the speaker is powerless in the face of their grief, unable to control their emotions or prevent the departure of their loved one.
The final couplet of the poem provides a sense of closure, with the speaker acknowledging that their grief will eventually pass. However, the final line of the poem, "And yet I would that death had been more kind," suggests that the speaker still feels a sense of loss and longing for their loved one.
Conclusion
"A Leave-Taking" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the feeling of loss and separation. Swinburne's use of the sonnet form and a variety of literary devices creates a vivid and powerful image of grief and despair. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the pain of saying goodbye to those we hold dear.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Algernon Charles Swinburne is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, vivid imagery, and emotional depth. Among his many masterpieces, "A Leave-Taking" stands out as a poignant and powerful expression of love and loss.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Swinburne uses the form to great effect, crafting a tightly structured and emotionally charged work that captures the essence of a bittersweet farewell.
The poem begins with a vivid image of a departing lover, "As one put drunk into the Packet-boat." The use of the word "drunk" suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion, as if the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the reality of the situation. The "Packet-boat" is a reference to a type of ship used for mail and passenger transport in the 19th century, adding a sense of historical context to the poem.
The second line continues the theme of departure, with the speaker describing the lover's departure as "His fate was written on a label fixed." This line suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the lover's departure was predestined and beyond his control. The use of the word "label" also suggests a sense of detachment and objectification, as if the lover is being treated as a mere object to be shipped away.
The third and fourth lines introduce the central theme of the poem, the speaker's love for the departing lover. The speaker describes the lover as "A name which meant but glory to adjoin," suggesting that the lover is someone of great importance and significance. The use of the word "glory" also suggests a sense of admiration and reverence, as if the speaker holds the lover in high esteem.
The fifth and sixth lines continue the theme of love, with the speaker describing the lover as "The bright consummate flower of all the West." This line suggests that the lover is the epitome of beauty and perfection, the embodiment of all that is good and noble in the world. The use of the word "flower" also suggests a sense of fragility and transience, as if the lover's beauty is fleeting and ephemeral.
The seventh and eighth lines introduce a sense of sadness and regret, with the speaker lamenting the fact that the lover must depart. The speaker describes the lover as "Gone, O new and never-to-be-renewed!" This line suggests a sense of finality and irrevocability, as if the lover's departure marks the end of something precious and irreplaceable. The use of the word "never-to-be-renewed" also suggests a sense of loss and longing, as if the speaker wishes that the lover could stay forever.
The ninth and tenth lines introduce a sense of distance and separation, with the speaker describing the lover as "Far, far away, O like a word misplaced." This line suggests that the lover is now distant and inaccessible, like a word that has been misplaced or forgotten. The use of the word "far" also suggests a sense of physical and emotional distance, as if the lover is now beyond the speaker's reach.
The eleventh and twelfth lines continue the theme of distance and separation, with the speaker describing the lover as "And O the face at last to be unveiled!" This line suggests that the speaker has been waiting for the lover's return, eagerly anticipating the moment when they will be reunited. The use of the word "unveiled" also suggests a sense of mystery and anticipation, as if the lover's true nature and identity will be revealed only when they return.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines bring the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing their love and longing for the departed lover. The speaker describes the lover as "A violet in the youth of primy nature," suggesting that the lover is a symbol of beauty and innocence in a world that is often harsh and cruel. The use of the word "youth" also suggests a sense of vitality and energy, as if the lover represents a source of hope and renewal in the speaker's life.
In conclusion, "A Leave-Taking" is a powerful and poignant expression of love and loss. Swinburne uses vivid imagery, emotional depth, and a tightly structured form to create a work that captures the essence of a bittersweet farewell. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of separation and distance.
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