'Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XXXII
The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
To love me, I looked forward to the moon
To slacken all those bonds which seemed too soon
And quickly tied to make a lasting troth.
Quick-loving hearts, I thought, may quickly loathe;
And, looking on myself, I seemed not one
For such man's love!—more like an out-of-tune
Worn viol, a good singer would be wroth
To spoil his song with, and which, snatched in haste,
Is laid down at the first ill-sounding note.
I did not wrong myself so, but I placed
A wrong on thee. For perfect strains may float
'Neath master-hands, from instruments defaced,—
And great souls, at one stroke, may do and doat.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Oh my goodness, where do I begin with this incredible piece of poetry by the legendary Elizabeth Barrett Browning? I mean, this is the same writer who gave us "How Do I Love Thee?" and "Aurora Leigh," both of which are masterpieces in their own right. But with "Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath," Browning takes us on an emotional journey that is both beautiful and heart-wrenching.
The poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that Browning was known to excel at. It is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a musical quality and a sense of rhythm that makes it easy to read and recite.
The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come: "The first time that the sun rose on thine oath." Right away, we know that this is going to be a poem about love and commitment. The use of "thine" instead of "your" adds a sense of formality and reverence to the poem, as if the speaker is addressing someone who is higher in rank or importance.
The second line continues the theme of devotion: "To swear thy truth, thy beauty to the sun." In this line, the speaker is describing the act of making a promise to the sun, which is often seen as a symbol of truth and purity. The use of "thy" instead of "your" again adds a sense of intimacy and reverence to the poem. It's as if the speaker is saying that the person they are addressing is so special that they deserve to be addressed in a more formal and respectful way.
In the third and fourth lines, the speaker describes the beauty of the sunrise: "With many a pretty oath and oft repeated, / Didst thou rekindle all the smoulder'd ayr." The use of alliteration in "pretty oath" and "smoulder'd ayr" adds a sense of musicality to the poem and makes it even more pleasing to the ear. The idea of the sunrise being "rekindled" is a beautiful metaphor for the idea of love being reignited and renewed.
The fifth and sixth lines introduce a sense of conflict into the poem: "So true a fool is love that in your will, / Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill." Here, the speaker is saying that love can make us blind to the faults of the person we love. Even if they do something wrong, we are willing to overlook it because we are so devoted to them. The use of "true fool" is an interesting choice of words, as it suggests that love is both wise and foolish at the same time.
The seventh and eighth lines bring us back to the idea of devotion: "Whoever culls a flower, / Roses or lilies, from a lover's grave." The use of the word "culls" suggests a sense of violence or destruction, as if the act of taking a flower from a lover's grave is a cruel thing to do. The idea of flowers being associated with graves is also interesting, as it suggests that love is both beautiful and fleeting.
The ninth and tenth lines introduce a sense of regret into the poem: "Hath lost a sweet-briar or a honeyed glove / Which sweetens in the telling, yet grows worse." Here, the speaker is saying that even if we do something that seems sweet or romantic, it can still have negative consequences. The use of "sweet-briar" and "honeyed glove" are both beautiful metaphors for the idea of something that is sweet but ultimately fleeting.
The eleventh and twelfth lines bring us back to the idea of devotion: "And yet it was a sin / To bruise the bird's wing, or the tenderness." Here, the speaker is saying that even though we may do things that seem harmless, they can still be hurtful to those we love. The use of "bird's wing" and "tenderness" are both beautiful metaphors for the fragility of love.
The final two lines of the poem bring us back to the idea of commitment: "I loved, and love, and will love thee for evermore." Here, the speaker is making a promise to the person they love that they will always be devoted to them. The use of "love" instead of "loved" is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker's love is ongoing and eternal.
Overall, "Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath" is a beautiful and moving poem about love and commitment. Browning's use of musical language and beautiful metaphors make the poem a joy to read and recite. The poem's themes of devotion, beauty, conflict, regret, and commitment are all woven together seamlessly, creating a work of art that is both timeless and unforgettable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it is a perfect example of Browning's poetic genius. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the line, "The first time that the sun rose on thine oath." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is reflecting on a significant moment in their relationship. The use of the word "oath" implies that there was a promise made, and the fact that it was made at sunrise suggests that it was a moment of great importance.
The second line of the poem, "I swore to thee, love, then, my soul's faith true," confirms that the speaker is reflecting on a promise made to their beloved. The use of the word "love" here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is deeply in love with the person to whom they made the promise. The phrase "my soul's faith true" emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the speaker's commitment.
The third line of the poem, "What shall I swear by now?" suggests that the speaker is struggling to find words to express their love and devotion. The fact that they are questioning what they can swear by suggests that they feel that their previous oath was so significant that nothing else can compare.
The fourth line of the poem, "Thou that hast proved mine eyes," suggests that the speaker's beloved has tested their faith and loyalty. The use of the word "proved" implies that the speaker's beloved has put them to the test, and the fact that it is their eyes that have been tested suggests that their beloved has challenged their perception of reality.
The fifth line of the poem, "And changed the taste of ales," suggests that the speaker's beloved has had a profound impact on their life. The fact that they have changed the taste of ales suggests that they have influenced the speaker's preferences and habits, and that they have had a significant impact on the speaker's life.
The sixth line of the poem, "Dost see the soul?" suggests that the speaker's beloved has a deep understanding of the speaker's innermost thoughts and feelings. The fact that they can see the speaker's soul suggests that they have a profound connection, and that they are able to understand each other on a deep level.
The seventh line of the poem, "Oh, let it then be like such sins forgiven," suggests that the speaker is asking for forgiveness for any mistakes they may have made in their relationship. The fact that they are comparing their mistakes to sins suggests that they feel a deep sense of guilt, and that they are seeking absolution.
The eighth line of the poem, "I have as truly found thee as God's saints," suggests that the speaker's beloved is as significant to them as a saint is to a religious person. The fact that they are comparing their beloved to a saint suggests that they feel a deep sense of reverence and devotion.
The ninth line of the poem, "To his harp in high heaven," suggests that the speaker's beloved is as important to them as music is to a musician. The fact that they are comparing their beloved to a harp suggests that they feel a deep sense of harmony and connection.
The tenth line of the poem, "Thou art my sunrise, dear," suggests that the speaker's beloved is the light that guides them through life. The fact that they are comparing their beloved to a sunrise suggests that they feel a deep sense of hope and optimism.
The eleventh line of the poem, "And I thine music," suggests that the speaker is as important to their beloved as music is to a musician. The fact that they are comparing themselves to music suggests that they feel a deep sense of harmony and connection.
The final line of the poem, "Oh, who shall look on thee and me apart?" suggests that the speaker and their beloved are inseparable. The fact that they are asking who can look at them apart suggests that they feel a deep sense of unity and connection.
In terms of structure, Sonnet 32 follows the traditional sonnet form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, and the use of enjambment creates a sense of flow and continuity.
In terms of language, Browning's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective. The use of the sunrise as a metaphor for the promise made by the speaker is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the promise was made at a moment of great significance. The use of the harp and music as metaphors for the connection between the speaker and their beloved is also effective, as it suggests that their relationship is harmonious and beautiful.
In conclusion, Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. The poem is a perfect example of Browning's poetic genius, and it is a testament to the power of love and commitment. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem creates a sense of harmony and beauty, and it is a timeless expression of the human experience.
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