'Sestina: Altaforte' by Ezra Pound
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LOQUITUR: En Bertans 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 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 I have great rejoicing
When the tempests kill the earth's foul peace,
And the lightning 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 breat 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 long 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 always the thought "Peace!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sestina: Altaforte by Ezra Pound
If there's one thing that's undeniable about Ezra Pound, it's that he was a poet who truly believed in his abilities. This is evident in one of his most famous poems, "Sestina: Altaforte." Here, Pound showcases his mastery of form, language, and imagery, creating a work that's both beautiful and terrifying.
A Brief Overview
"Altaforte," which means "high fortress" in Italian, is a sestina - a complex form of poetry consisting of six six-line stanzas followed by a three-line envoy. In this poem, Pound pays tribute to the thirteenth-century warrior, Bertrand de Born, who was known for his brutal tactics and his ability to inspire his troops.
Imagery and Language
The language and imagery in "Sestina: Altaforte" are nothing short of remarkable. Pound uses powerful and visceral words to describe the violence of battle and the bravery of soldiers. Words like "shatter," "slaughter," and "spear" are used to paint a vivid picture of the battlefield, while phrases like "the trumpet's voice," "the banner of battle," and "the clarions of glory" add a sense of grandeur and nobility.
Pound's use of repetition and wordplay is also noteworthy. Throughout the poem, he repeats phrases like "I have no life save when the swords clash" and "war is delightful to me," which serve to underscore the speaker's obsession with battle. He also uses puns and double meanings, as in the line "I make my crooked way to the same place," which can be interpreted as both a physical journey and a metaphorical one.
Structure and Form
The sestina form is notoriously difficult to master, but Pound pulls it off with aplomb. The same six end words are repeated in each stanza, but in a different order, creating a sense of circularity and inevitability. The envoy, which uses all six end words, serves as a sort of climax to the poem, bringing together all the different threads and themes.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Pound's use of form is how seamlessly it blends with the content of the poem. The cyclical structure of the sestina mirrors the endless cycle of war and violence, while the repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the speaker's obsession with battle.
Interpretation
It's easy to see why "Sestina: Altaforte" has been interpreted in a number of different ways over the years. Some have seen it as an unironic celebration of violence and war, while others have viewed it as a critique of the glorification of war.
Personally, I think the poem can be read as a bit of both. On the one hand, Pound clearly admires Bertrand de Born's martial prowess and his ability to inspire his troops. He uses powerful language and imagery to convey the excitement and adrenaline rush of battle. But on the other hand, there's a sense of unease and discomfort that runs through the poem. The speaker's obsession with violence and death is unsettling, and the repetition of certain phrases begins to feel almost hypnotic.
Ultimately, I think "Sestina: Altaforte" is a meditation on the allure of violence and the dangers of glorifying war. Pound shows us the seductive power of warfare, but he doesn't shy away from its darker aspects.
Conclusion
"Sestina: Altaforte" is a tour de force of poetry - an impressive display of form, language, and imagery. It's a poem that's both beautiful and unsettling, a celebration of martial prowess that's tinged with unease. Whether you see it as a straightforward celebration of war or a subtle critique of it, there's no denying the power of Pound's words.
In the end, "Sestina: Altaforte" is a reminder that even the most brutal and violent aspects of human nature can be expressed in beautiful and profound ways.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sestina: Altaforte - A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, is known for his innovative approach to poetry. His works are characterized by their modernist style, which often involves the use of unconventional forms and techniques. One of his most famous poems, Sestina: Altaforte, is a prime example of this. In this article, we will explore the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices, and analyze how they contribute to its overall impact.
Structure
Sestina: Altaforte is a sestina, a form of poetry that originated in medieval France. A sestina consists of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi. The unique feature of a sestina is its intricate pattern of end-words. In each stanza, the end-words of the first stanza are repeated in a specific order, with the final stanza using all six end-words in a three-line envoi. This creates a complex interweaving of words that requires careful planning and execution.
In Sestina: Altaforte, Pound uses the sestina form to great effect. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with six lines. The end-words of the first stanza are "altafort" (a variant of "Altoforte," the name of a castle in Italy), "sword," "blow," "banner," "hawk," and "stone." These end-words are then repeated in a specific order in each subsequent stanza, with the final stanza using all six end-words in a three-line envoi.
Themes
Sestina: Altaforte is a poem that celebrates the power and glory of war. The poem is addressed to a warrior, who is described as a "lion" and a "tiger." The warrior is praised for his strength, courage, and ferocity in battle. The poem is filled with vivid images of war, such as "the red gold spur that makes men win," "the trumpet's voice," and "the clash of steel."
However, the poem also has a darker side. The warrior is described as a "madman" and a "beast," and his actions are portrayed as brutal and savage. The poem acknowledges the destructive nature of war, with lines such as "Death makes man's hands and feet as unconfined / As are the wind and waves, when Ætna flames." The poem also suggests that war is a necessary evil, with lines such as "War is the game which, were their subjects wise, / Kings would not play at."
Literary Devices
Pound's use of literary devices in Sestina: Altaforte is masterful. The poem is filled with alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices that create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, Pound uses alliteration to create a sense of power and strength: "Altair of flame, / At the spear-point, / At the sword-hilt / The prince of all knighthood / Who swayeth a great realm / As the wind sways the trees."
Pound also uses imagery to great effect. The poem is filled with vivid images of war, such as "the red gold spur that makes men win," "the trumpet's voice," and "the clash of steel." These images create a sense of excitement and energy, but also convey the brutality and violence of war.
Another literary device that Pound uses in Sestina: Altaforte is repetition. The repetition of the end-words in each stanza creates a sense of unity and coherence, while also emphasizing the themes of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "War is" throughout the poem also creates a sense of urgency and importance.
Impact
Sestina: Altaforte is a powerful and impactful poem. Pound's use of the sestina form creates a sense of complexity and depth, while his use of literary devices creates a sense of excitement and energy. The poem's themes of war and violence are conveyed with both celebration and condemnation, creating a sense of ambiguity and complexity.
The poem's impact is also due to its historical context. Pound wrote Sestina: Altaforte in 1909, at a time when Europe was on the brink of war. The poem can be seen as a reflection of the attitudes and beliefs of the time, with its celebration of war and its acknowledgement of its destructive nature.
Conclusion
Sestina: Altaforte is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. Pound's use of the sestina form, literary devices, and themes create a complex and impactful poem that celebrates and condemns war. The poem's historical context adds to its impact, making it a reflection of the attitudes and beliefs of its time. Sestina: Altaforte is a testament to Pound's genius as a poet, and a reminder of the power of poetry to convey complex ideas and emotions.
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