'Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam' by Ernest Dowson

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They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.


[The title translates, from the Latin, as
'The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long'
and is from a work by Horace]

Editor 1 Interpretation

Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam: A Masterpiece of Ernest Dowson

Are you looking for a poem that will make you question the meaning of life? Look no further than Ernest Dowson’s “Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam.” This classic poem is a masterpiece of literature that explores the fleeting nature of existence and the hopelessness of longing for a life that will never be.

Background

Ernest Dowson was a British poet and writer who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his melancholic and often pessimistic poetry, which reflected his own troubled life. Dowson struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his adult life, and his work often reflects the despair and hopelessness he experienced.

“Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam” was first published in 1896 in Dowson’s collection of poetry, “The Pierrot of the Minute.” The poem immediately gained critical acclaim for its haunting beauty and its poignant message about the fleeting nature of life.

The Poem

The poem opens with the Latin phrase “Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam,” which translates to “The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long.” This phrase sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea that life is short and that our hopes and dreams will never be fully realized.

The first stanza of the poem describes the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the passage of time, painting a picture of a world that is constantly changing and evolving. The lines “The sun burns sere, / And Time that is o’er / Shall sear” suggest that even the most beautiful things in life are eventually doomed to fade away.

The second stanza of the poem explores the idea that our hopes and dreams are often unattainable. The speaker describes the “mournful melody” of life, suggesting that even our happiest moments are tinged with sadness and longing. The lines “But ah, that we / No more may see! / Or see no longer!” suggest that our dreams and desires are often unfulfilled, leaving us with a sense of emptiness and regret.

The third stanza of the poem suggests that death is the ultimate equalizer, suggesting that we are all destined to meet the same fate regardless of our accomplishments or station in life. The speaker describes a “monotonous march” toward the grave, suggesting that life is little more than a long and tedious journey toward a destination that we cannot avoid.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker suggests that even our memories will eventually fade away. The lines “Our echoes roll from soul to soul, / And grow forever and forever” suggest that our legacy is little more than a faint echo that will eventually be forgotten. Even our most cherished memories will eventually fade away, leaving us with nothing but the knowledge that our time on earth was brief and fleeting.

Interpretation

“Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam” is a powerful commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the hopelessness of longing for a future that will never be. The poem suggests that our hopes and dreams are often unfulfilled, leaving us with a sense of emptiness and regret.

The poem’s use of vivid imagery and poignant language creates a sense of melancholy that is both beautiful and haunting. The lines “The sun burns sere, / And Time that is o’er / Shall sear” suggest that even the most beautiful things in life are eventually doomed to fade away, leaving us with nothing but memories and regrets.

The poem also explores the idea that death is the ultimate equalizer, suggesting that we are all destined to meet the same fate regardless of our accomplishments or station in life. The lines “A little life is all we have, / And all we share is pain” suggest that even our most successful and fulfilling moments are tinged with sadness and longing.

Finally, the poem suggests that even our memories will eventually fade away, leaving us with nothing but the knowledge that our time on earth was brief and fleeting. The lines “Our echoes roll from soul to soul, / And grow forever and forever” suggest that our legacy is little more than a faint echo that will eventually be forgotten.

Conclusion

Ernest Dowson’s “Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam” is a masterpiece of literature that explores the fleeting nature of existence and the hopelessness of longing for a life that will never be. The poem’s use of vivid imagery and poignant language creates a sense of melancholy that is both beautiful and haunting, leaving readers with a powerful message about the nature of life and the inevitability of death.

This poem is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature and wants to explore the deepest questions of existence. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of “Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam” today and discover the beauty and tragedy of life like never before.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam: A Poem of Life's Fleeting Nature

Ernest Dowson's poem, Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam, is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the futility of chasing long-term dreams. The Latin title translates to "The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long," and the poem's themes are as relevant today as they were when Dowson wrote it in the late 19th century.

The poem is structured in four stanzas of four lines each, with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. The language is simple and direct, yet the imagery is powerful and evocative. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the opening line "They are not long, the weeping and the laughter." This line immediately establishes the contrast between joy and sorrow, and the brevity of both. The second line, "Love and desire and hate," expands on this contrast, highlighting the transience of even the strongest emotions. The third line, "I think they have no portion in us after," suggests that these emotions are fleeting and ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The final line of the stanza, "We pass like ships in the night," reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that our interactions with others are brief and transitory.

The second stanza continues the theme of transience, with the opening line "That, even as we, goest thou, beloved, /Pacing thy morning sands?" The use of the second person pronoun "thou" suggests that the speaker is addressing a specific person, perhaps a lover or friend. The image of "morning sands" suggests the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The second line, "Ah! what avail the love or tears of one?" reinforces the idea that individual emotions are ultimately meaningless in the face of death. The third line, "Frail as ourselves, and fleeting as the flowers," compares human life to the ephemeral beauty of flowers. The final line of the stanza, "Thy shadowy paces and thy sands are done," suggests that the person being addressed has already passed away, adding a sense of melancholy to the poem.

The third stanza shifts the focus from individual emotions to the pursuit of long-term goals. The opening line, "We are the music-makers," suggests that humans have the power to create something lasting and meaningful. The second line, "And we are the dreamers of dreams," expands on this idea, suggesting that humans have the ability to imagine and create a better future. The third line, "Wandering by lone sea-breakers," suggests that this pursuit of long-term goals is often solitary and difficult. The final line of the stanza, "And sitting by desolate streams," reinforces this idea of loneliness and isolation.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of transience. The opening line, "World-losers and world-forsakers," suggests that those who have given up on worldly pursuits are the only ones who truly understand the fleeting nature of life. The second line, "Upon whom the pale moon gleams," suggests a sense of otherworldliness and detachment from the mundane world. The third line, "Yet we are the movers and shakers," suggests that even those who have given up on worldly pursuits still have the power to effect change. The final line of the poem, "Of the world forever, it seems," reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that nothing lasts forever.

Overall, Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam is a powerful reflection on the transience of life and the futility of chasing long-term dreams. The poem's simple language and consistent rhyme scheme make it accessible to a wide audience, while its powerful imagery and themes make it a timeless classic. Whether read as a meditation on mortality or a call to action, Dowson's poem remains as relevant today as it was over a century ago.

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