'In A London Square' by Arthur Hugh Clough
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Put forth thy leaf, thou lofty plane,
East wind and frost are safely gone;
With zephyr mild and balmy rain
The summer comes serenly on;
Earth, air, and sun and skies combine
To promise all that's kind and fair:—
But thou, O human heart of mine,
Be still, contain thyself, and bear.
December days were brief and chill,
The winds of March were wild and drear,
And, nearing and receding still,
Spring never would, we thought, be here.
The leaves that burst, the suns that shine,
Had, not the less, their certain date:—
And thou, O human heart of mine,
Be still, refrain thyself, and wait.
Editor 1 Interpretation
In A London Square: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry
Arthur Hugh Clough is not one of the most well-known Victorian poets, but his works are certainly worth exploring. In particular, his poem "In A London Square" is a masterpiece that showcases his skillful use of language and his ability to capture the essence of modern life in an urban landscape. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and examine its various themes, motifs, and symbolism.
Overview of the Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself. "In A London Square" is a six-stanza poem that follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. Each stanza consists of four lines, with the exception of the final stanza, which has five lines. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Gray old garden, all is gone but the tower,
Clipped yew, and the ailing poplar;
Ghosts of the pomp that stole in here to flower,
And blight all else, now only tost
On the sallow autumn air, when none will bear
A leaf, and all the season is lost.
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but as we will see, there is much more to it than meets the eye.
Analysis
The Setting: A Gray Old Garden
The first thing that strikes us about the poem is its setting. The title itself suggests that the poem takes place in a London square, but the description of the garden as "gray old" immediately sets the tone. We get the sense that this is not a vibrant, lively place, but rather a decaying one, with its glory days long gone. The tower, the clipped yew, and the ailing poplar are all remnants of a past that has been lost.
The Ghosts of Pomp
The second line of the first stanza introduces the idea of "ghosts of the pomp" that once "stole in here to flower." This line sets up one of the central themes of the poem: the contrast between the past and the present. In the past, this garden was a place of pomp and beauty, but now all that remains are the ghosts of that past. The use of the word "ghosts" suggests that these memories are not alive and vibrant, but rather they are pale imitations of what once was. The fact that they "tost / on the sallow autumn air" reinforces this idea of decay and loss.
The Blight of Modernity
In the second stanza, the speaker laments the fact that all the beauty of the past has been replaced by the "blight" of modernity. The word "blight" has negative connotations, suggesting disease or decay, and the fact that it has replaced the beauty of the past only reinforces the theme of loss. The speaker suggests that the "season is lost," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the passing of time or the decline of society.
The Irony of Progress
The third stanza introduces the idea of progress, but the speaker is quick to point out the irony of it all. The "magic of the engineer" has allowed for progress, but at what cost? The fact that the "tower stands, but not the trees" suggests that progress has come at the expense of nature. The fact that the "tower" remains, despite the loss of the trees, reinforces the idea that progress is often at odds with nature and beauty.
The Nostalgia for the Past
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most nostalgic of the poem. The speaker longs for the days when "the green leaves sprouted" and "the flowers were gay." The use of the word "gay" is interesting, as it is a word that has taken on a different meaning in modern times. In the context of this poem, it suggests a sense of happiness and joy that has been lost. The fact that the speaker longs for these things suggests a deep nostalgia for the past, and a longing for a time when things were simpler and more beautiful.
The Desolation of Modern Life
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of decay and loss. The fact that the "squirrels come, and go, and leave no nest" suggests a sense of transience and impermanence. The fact that they "leave no nest" reinforces the idea that this garden is a place of desolation and decay. The use of the word "desolate" also reinforces this theme.
The Hope for the Future
The final stanza introduces a glimmer of hope. The fact that the "budding boughs begin to green" suggests that even in this desolate place, there is the potential for new life and growth. The fact that the "blackbird sings to greet the scene" suggests a sense of joy and beauty that has been absent from the rest of the poem. The fact that this stanza has an extra line also reinforces the idea that there is something different and special about it.
Conclusion
"In A London Square" is a poem that explores the theme of loss and decay, but also hints at the potential for new life and growth. The setting of the gray old garden sets the tone for the poem, and the contrast between the ghosts of the past and the blight of modernity reinforces the theme of loss. However, the final stanza introduces a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in the midst of decay, there is the potential for new life and beauty. Overall, this is a masterful poem that showcases Clough's skillful use of language and his ability to capture the essence of modern life in an urban landscape.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In A London Square: An Analysis of Arthur Hugh Clough’s Classic Poem
Arthur Hugh Clough’s poem In A London Square is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. Written in the mid-19th century, the poem captures the essence of life in London during the Victorian era. It is a poignant and evocative piece that explores themes of love, loss, and the transience of life. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various elements.
The poem begins with a description of a London square on a summer evening. The speaker observes the people around him, noting their various activities. He sees lovers walking hand in hand, children playing, and old men sitting on benches. The speaker is struck by the beauty of the scene, but he is also aware of the transience of life. He notes that the people he sees will all eventually die, and the square will be filled with new faces.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It is a contemplative and reflective opening that invites the reader to reflect on the transience of life. The speaker’s observation that “all these faces in a year / Will be fain to disappear” is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment.
In the second stanza, the speaker focuses on a particular couple in the square. He describes them as “two young things in the gloaming / Whispering and murmuring love.” The couple is lost in their own world, oblivious to the passing of time. The speaker envies their youth and innocence, but he is also aware that their love will not last forever. He notes that “Love will not be always new,” suggesting that the couple’s passion will eventually fade.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker observes an old man sitting on a bench, watching the world go by. The man is alone, and the speaker imagines that he has lost his wife and children. The speaker notes that the man’s “heart is sore with reminiscence / Of the old days long ago.” The image of the old man is a reminder that life is not always kind, and that we will all experience loss and heartache at some point.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the passing of time. The speaker notes that the square has been there for centuries, and that it has seen many generations come and go. He observes that “The old square sees the new street / Sink into its arms discreet.” The image of the square embracing the new street is a metaphor for the passing of time. The old gives way to the new, but the memories of the past remain.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of life. The speaker notes that despite the transience of life, there is still beauty to be found in the world. He observes that “The world is full of beauty / As other worlds above.” The image of other worlds above is a reference to the heavens, suggesting that there is a higher power at work in the world.
In A London Square is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life in Victorian London. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment. The poem is also a reflection on the beauty of life, and a reminder that despite the hardships we may face, there is still beauty to be found in the world.
The poem’s use of imagery is particularly effective. The images of the lovers, the old man, and the square itself are all vivid and evocative. The use of metaphor is also effective, particularly in the final stanza where the speaker compares the beauty of the world to other worlds above.
In conclusion, In A London Square is a classic piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a poignant and evocative poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the transience of life. The poem’s use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective, and the final stanza is a beautiful reflection on the beauty of life.
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