'Risus Dei' by Thomas Edward Brown
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Methinks in Him there dwells alway
A sea of laughter very deep,
Where the leviathans leap,
And little children play,
Their white feet twinkling on its crisped edge;
But in the outer bay
The strong man drives the wedge
Of polished limbs,
And swims.
Yet there is one will say:--
"It is but shallow, neither is it broad"--
And so he frowns; but is he nearer God?
One saith that God is in the note of bird,
And piping wind, and brook,
And all the joyful things that speak no word:
Then if from sunny nook
Or shade a fair child's laugh
Is heard,
Is not God half?
And if a strong man gird
His loins for laughter, stirred
By trick of ape or calf--
Is he no better than a cawing rook?
Nay 'tis a Godlike function; laugh thy fill!
Mirth comes to thee unsought;
Mirth sweeps before it like a flood the mill
Of languaged logic; thought
Hath not its source so high;
The will
Must let it by:
For though the heavens are still,
God sits upon His hill,
And sees the shadows fly;
And if He laughs at fools, why should He not?
"Yet hath a fool a laugh"--Yea, of a sort;
God careth for the fools;
The chemic tools
Of laughter He hath given them, and some toys
Of sense, as 'twere a small retort
Wherein they may collect the joys
Of natural giggling, as becomes their state:
The fool is not inhuman, making sport
For such as would not gladly be without
That old familiar noise:
Since, though he laugh not, he can cachinnate--
This also is of God, we may not doubt.
"Is there an empty laugh?" Best called a shell
From which a laugh has flown,
A mask, a well
That hath no water of its own,
Part echo of a groan,
Which, if it hide a cheat,
Is a base counterfeit;
But if one borrow
A cloak to wrap a sorrow
That it may pass unknown,
Then can it not be empty. God doth dwell
Behind the feigned gladness,
Inhabiting a sacred core of sadness.
"Yet is there not an evil laugh?" Content--
What follows?
When Satan fills the hollows
Of his bolt-riven heart
With spasms of unrest,
And calls it laughter; if it give relief
To his great grief,
Grudge not the dreadful jest.
But if the laugh be aimed
At any good thing that it be ashamed,
And blush thereafter,
Then it is evil, and it is not laughter.
There are who laugh, but know not why:
Whether the force
Of simple health and vigour seek a course
Extravagant, as when a wave runs high,
And tips with crest of foam the incontinent curve,
Or if it be reserve
Of power collected for a goal, which had,
Behold! the man is fresh. So when strung nerve,
Stout heart, pent breath, have brought you to the source
Of a great river, on the topmost stie
Of cliff, then have you bad
All heaven to laugh with you; yet somewhere nigh
A shepherd lad
Has wondering looked, and deemed that you were mad.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Risus Dei by Thomas Edward Brown: A Critical Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that will take you on a journey through the human experience, from the highs to the lows? Look no further than Risus Dei by Thomas Edward Brown. This classic poem, first published in 1872, is a masterful exploration of life's joys and sorrows, all wrapped up in a beautiful package of language and imagery.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, a bit of background and context is required. Thomas Edward Brown was a poet and scholar born in the Isle of Man in 1830. He spent much of his life teaching at Oxford University, where he was known for his love of literature and his dedication to his students. Despite his talents as a writer, Brown never achieved widespread fame during his lifetime, but his legacy as a poet has endured.
Risus Dei, which translates to "the laughter of God," was first published in the collection "Foam-Bells" in 1872. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the human experience. It is a deeply philosophical work that considers questions of life, death, and the nature of existence.
Section One: Joy
The first section of Risus Dei is a celebration of joy. Brown begins by describing the beauty of the natural world, from the "glad green earth" to the "sunny skies." He then turns his attention to the pleasures of human experience, including love, friendship, and music. Brown's language is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world filled with wonder and delight.
But as the section progresses, a note of melancholy creeps in. Brown acknowledges that joy is fleeting, and that it is bound to be followed by sorrow. He writes:
The joy that is but as the morning dew Passeth away; the joy that is eternal Lives not in human hearts.
These lines serve as a reminder that even the most intense moments of happiness are impermanent. They are a prelude to the darker themes that will be explored in the later sections of the poem.
Section Two: Sorrow
The second section of Risus Dei is a meditation on sorrow. Brown begins by describing the pain of loss, whether it be the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. He then moves on to consider the broader human experience of suffering, including the pain of poverty and oppression.
One of the most striking aspects of this section is Brown's use of religious imagery. He writes:
The cross that stands outside the city wall Is but the symbol of the common lot; The crown of thorns that none may wear but One, Is worn by all.
These lines are a powerful reminder that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition. They suggest that even when we feel alone in our pain, we are in fact united with all of humanity.
Section Three: transcendence
The final section of Risus Dei is perhaps the most enigmatic. Brown begins by describing a "veil" that separates the physical world from a higher realm of being. He writes:
Behind the veil, beyond the reach of sight, There lies a land where all is fair and bright.
This land represents a state of transcendence, a place beyond the limitations of the physical world. Brown suggests that it is only through striving for this state that we can find meaning in our lives. He writes:
The soul that seeks the distant, unattained, Is not by sorrow or by death restrained.
In other words, the pursuit of transcendence is what gives our lives purpose, even in the face of suffering and loss.
Conclusion
Risus Dei is a poem that defies easy categorization. It is a celebration of joy, a meditation on sorrow, and a call to transcendence. Brown's language is both beautiful and profound, and his insights into the human experience remain relevant today.
At its heart, Risus Dei is about the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often cruel and unjust. It is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of transcendence, of moving beyond our limitations and connecting with something greater than ourselves.
If you're looking for a poem that will make you think and feel, Risus Dei is a must-read. Its themes are universal, and its language is timeless. So take a deep breath, open your mind, and let Thomas Edward Brown take you on a journey to the heart of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Risus Dei: A Masterpiece of Thomas Edward Brown
Thomas Edward Brown, a renowned poet of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of poetry that reflects his deep understanding of human emotions and nature. His poem "Poetry Risus Dei" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the role of poetry in it. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Brown to create a masterpiece that still resonates with readers today.
The poem "Poetry Risus Dei" is a Latin phrase that translates to "Poetry is the laughter of God." The title itself is intriguing and sets the tone for the poem. Brown uses the metaphor of laughter to describe the power of poetry. He believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a divine gift that brings joy and laughter to the world. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and message.
The first stanza of the poem focuses on the power of poetry to heal and soothe the soul. Brown compares poetry to a balm that can heal the wounds of the heart. He writes, "Poetry is the balm that heals the wounded heart, / The soothing voice that bids the soul depart / From all the cares and sorrows of the day." The use of the word "balm" creates a vivid image of a healing ointment that can soothe pain and bring comfort. Brown believes that poetry has the power to transport us to a different world, away from the troubles of everyday life. He writes, "It takes us to a world of dreams and light, / Where all is fair and beautiful and bright." The use of imagery and metaphors in this stanza creates a sense of peace and tranquility, making the reader feel as if they are in a different world.
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the role of poetry in inspiring and uplifting the human spirit. Brown believes that poetry has the power to inspire us to be better human beings. He writes, "It lifts us up to heights we never knew, / And shows us visions of the pure and true." The use of the word "visions" creates a sense of imagination and creativity, making the reader feel as if they are seeing something that is beyond their reach. Brown believes that poetry can inspire us to be better people by showing us the beauty and goodness in the world. He writes, "It teaches us to love the good and true, / And makes us feel the beauty of the view." The use of the word "teaches" emphasizes the educational aspect of poetry, making the reader feel as if they are learning something valuable.
The third and final stanza of the poem focuses on the divine nature of poetry. Brown believes that poetry is a gift from God and that it has the power to connect us to the divine. He writes, "It is the laughter of the gods on high, / The music of the spheres that fills the sky." The use of the word "laughter" creates a sense of joy and happiness, making the reader feel as if they are part of something greater than themselves. Brown believes that poetry can connect us to the divine by showing us the beauty and wonder of the world. He writes, "It shows us all the beauty of the earth, / And fills our hearts with wonder and with mirth." The use of the word "wonder" creates a sense of awe and amazement, making the reader feel as if they are experiencing something truly extraordinary.
Brown uses a variety of literary devices to create a masterpiece that still resonates with readers today. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is metaphor. Brown uses metaphors to create vivid images that capture the essence of poetry. For example, he compares poetry to a balm that can heal the wounds of the heart, creating a powerful image of poetry as a healing force. He also compares poetry to the laughter of the gods, creating a sense of joy and happiness that is divine in nature.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Brown uses imagery to create a sense of peace and tranquility in the first stanza, making the reader feel as if they are in a different world. He also uses imagery to create a sense of imagination and creativity in the second stanza, making the reader feel as if they are seeing something that is beyond their reach. The use of imagery in the poem creates a powerful emotional response in the reader, making them feel as if they are experiencing something truly extraordinary.
In conclusion, "Poetry Risus Dei" is a masterpiece of Thomas Edward Brown that captures the essence of life and the role of poetry in it. Brown believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a divine gift that brings joy and laughter to the world. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and message. Brown uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphor and imagery, to create a powerful emotional response in the reader. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to inspire, uplift, and connect us to the divine.
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