'Frost At Midnight' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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The Frost performs its secret ministry,
Unhelped by any wind. The owlet's cry
Came loud, -and hark, again! loud as before.
The inmates of my cottage, all at rest,
Have left me to that solitude, which suits
Abstruser musings: save that at my side
My cradled infant slumbers peacefully.
'Tis calm indeed! so calm, that it disturbs
And vexes meditation with its strange
And extreme silentness. Sea, hill, and wood,
With all the numberless goings-on of life,
Inaudible as dreams! the thin blue flame
Lies on my low-burnt fire, and quivers not;
Only that film, which fluttered on the grate,
Still flutters there, the sole unquiet thing.
Methinks its motion in this hush of nature
Gives it dim sympathies with me who live,
Making it a companionable form,
Whose puny flaps and freaks the idling Spirit
By its own moods interprets, every where
Echo or mirror seeking of itself,
And makes a toy of Thought.
But O! how oft,
How oft, at school, with most believing mind,
Presageful, have I gazed upon the bars,
To watch that fluttering stranger! and as oft
With unclosed lids, already had I dreamt
Of my sweet birthplace, and the old church-tower,
Whose bells, the poor man's only music, rang
From morn to evening, all the hot Fair-day,
So sweetly, that they stirred and haunted me
With a wild pleasure, falling on mine ear
Most like articulate sounds of things to come!
So gazed I, till the soothing things, I dreamt,
Lulled me to sleep, and sleep prolonged my dreams!
And so I brooded all the following morn,
Awed by the stern preceptor's face, mine eye
Fixed with mock study on my swimming book:
Save if the door half opened, and I snatched
A hasty glance, and still my heart leaped up,
For still I hoped to see the stranger's face,
Townsman, or aunt, or sister more beloved,
My playmate when we both were clothed alike!
Dear Babe, that sleepest cradled by my side,
Whose gentle breathings, heard in this deep calm,
Fill up the interspersed vacancies
And momentary pauses of the thought!
My babe so beautiful! it thrills my heart
With tender gladness, thus to look at thee,
And think that thou shalt learn far other lore,
And in far other scenes! For I was reared
In the great city, pent mid cloisters dim,
And saw nought lovely but the sky and stars.
But thou, my babe! shalt wander like a breeze
By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags
Of ancient mountain, and beneath the clouds,
Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores
And mountain crags: so shalt thou see and hear
The lovely shapes and sounds intelligible
Of that eternal language, which thy God
Utters, who from eternity doth teach
Himself in all, and all things in himself.
Great universal Teacher! he shall mould
Thy spirit, and by giving make it ask.
Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether the summer clothe the general earth
With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Frost At Midnight by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Excitement Alert: This poem is an absolute masterpiece!
Frost At Midnight is a classic poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. It is a reflective poem that explores the themes of nature, childhood memories, and the power of imagination. This poem is unique because it is written in the form of a conversation between the poet and his sleeping infant son. The poet reflects on his own childhood memories and how they are connected to nature.
The Setting and Imagery
The poem is set in a quiet and peaceful cottage in the middle of winter. The main imagery used in the poem is that of frost and snow. The opening lines of the poem immediately set the scene:
The Frost performs its secret ministry,
Unhelped by any wind. The owlet’s cry
Came loud—and hark, again! loud as before.
The inmates of my cottage, all at rest,
Have left me to that solitude, which suits
Abstruser musings: save that at my side
My cradled infant slumbers peacefully.
The use of words like “secret ministry” and “abstruser musings” creates a sense of mystery and introspection. The silence of the night is only interrupted by the cry of an owl, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The poet then turns his attention to his sleeping son and reflects on his own childhood memories.
Childhood Memories
The poet reflects on his own childhood memories and how they are connected to nature. He describes how he used to sit by the fire and listen to his father’s stories:
Thus, while the night-hag*
Visits the bed of Wickness, and pale Grief
Wakes, in her airy cell, the melancholy
Sound of the full-flowing river, far away,
Where the winds languish’d as they pass’d the trees,
And carried the light whispers as they passed
Of lovers, and of friends.
*Note: The “night-hag” is a reference to a superstition that a witch-like figure would visit the beds of sick people at night.
The poet’s memories are tied to the natural world, as he recalls the sound of the river and the whispers of lovers and friends. He also mentions how his father’s stories would transport him to another world:
And, while the speckled sky
Flashes the frozen mass of inconstant moon,
T’illume the long dark night, and as I gaze,
In fancy, on the sweet face of my child:
My heart leaps up, and I am blest that thus
Even for a moment, in eternity,
I am.
The use of the phrase “sweet face” creates a sense of tenderness and affection. The poet’s memories are linked to his present moment, as he gazes at his own child. The power of imagination is also emphasized, as the poet’s memories and fantasies transport him to another world.
Nature and Imagination
The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world and the power of imagination. He describes how the frost “performs its secret ministry” and how the “owlet’s cry” adds to the eerie atmosphere. The use of words like “secret ministry” and “airy cell” creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
The poet also reflects on the power of imagination:
And, while I gaze,
Thy central isle, thy calmer seas,
And mountains, where of Indian* tales
In the next line.
*Note: The reference to Indian tales refers to the poet’s interest in Eastern philosophy and mythology.
The poet’s imagination transports him to a faraway land, filled with mountains and seas. The use of the word “calmer” creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The poet’s imagination is not limited by his physical surroundings, as he is able to explore new worlds through his mind.
Conclusion
Frost At Midnight is a beautiful and reflective poem that explores the themes of nature, childhood memories, and the power of imagination. The poem is unique because it is written in the form of a conversation between the poet and his sleeping infant son. The use of vivid imagery creates a sense of mystery and introspection, while the poet’s reflections on his own childhood memories and the power of imagination add to the depth of the poem.
Overall, Frost At Midnight is a masterpiece of English literature and a testament to Coleridge’s talent as a poet. Whether you’re a fan of poetry or not, this poem is definitely worth a read!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Frost At Midnight: A Poem of Reflection and Contemplation
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Frost At Midnight is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Written in 1798, it is a reflection on the poet's childhood memories and his contemplation of the natural world around him. The poem is a beautiful example of Romantic poetry, with its focus on nature, imagination, and the individual's emotional response to the world.
The poem is set in a cottage in the middle of winter, with the poet sitting by the fire, watching the frost outside. The opening lines set the scene perfectly, with the poet describing the "silent icicles" hanging from the eaves and the "frosty air" that surrounds him. The use of imagery here is powerful, as it creates a sense of stillness and quietness that is almost palpable.
As the poem progresses, the poet begins to reflect on his childhood memories. He remembers being sent to school in London, far away from his family and the natural world he loved. He recalls the "city's din" and the "crowded streets" that he had to navigate every day. The contrast between the natural world and the urban environment is stark, and the poet clearly longs for the simplicity and beauty of nature.
The poet's thoughts then turn to his son, who is sleeping peacefully in his cradle. He reflects on the joy that his son brings him and the hope that he represents for the future. The poet's love for his son is evident in the way he describes him as a "little, nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and of love." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the poet believes that it is the small, everyday acts of kindness that are the most important in life.
The poem then takes a turn towards the spiritual, as the poet begins to contemplate the natural world around him. He reflects on the "secret ministry" of nature, and how it can bring peace and comfort to the soul. He describes how the "mighty Being" that created the world is present in every aspect of nature, from the "star-lit heaven" to the "green earth." The poet's belief in the interconnectedness of all things is evident here, as he suggests that everything in the natural world is part of a greater whole.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful. The poet describes how the stillness of the night has allowed him to connect with his own soul and to find peace within himself. He reflects on the power of imagination, and how it can transport us to other worlds and other times. He suggests that the imagination is a powerful force that can help us to understand the mysteries of the universe.
In conclusion, Frost At Midnight is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of nature, childhood memories, and spirituality. The poem is a perfect example of Romantic poetry, with its focus on the individual's emotional response to the world around them. The use of imagery is powerful, creating a sense of stillness and quietness that is almost palpable. The poem is a reminder of the beauty and power of nature, and the importance of connecting with our own souls in order to find peace and understanding.
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