'Jadis' by Ernest Dowson
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Erewhile, before the world was old,
When violets grew and celandine,
In Cupid's train we were enrolled:
Erewhile!
Your little hands were clasped in mine,
Your head all ruddy and sun-gold
Lay on my breast which was your shrine,
And all the tale of love was told:
Ah, God, that sweet things should decline,
And fires fade out which were not cold,
Erewhile.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Jadis by Ernest Dowson
Jadis, a poem by Ernest Dowson, is a masterpiece of English literature. Written in the late 19th century, it is a perfect representation of the decadent movement that was prevalent in the literary circles of that time. The poem is a perfect example of Dowson's style, which is characterized by a melancholic tone, a love for beauty, and a fascination with death.
Overview of the poem
The poem is composed of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is a contemplation on the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker of the poem, who is presumably Dowson himself, reflects on the beauty and allure of youth and how it fades away with time.
The theme of transience
The theme of transience is a central one in Jadis. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and how everything that is beautiful and desirable eventually fades away. The title of the poem, which means "once upon a time" in French, is a nod to this theme. It suggests that the beauty the speaker is reflecting on is something from the past, something that has already gone.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for this theme:
Long since, when first my heart was stirred
By some soft breath, by some sweet word,
I deemed that life was all divine,
And so I loved, for love was mine.
Here, the speaker recalls a time in the past when he believed that life was perfect and that love was all he needed. But as the poem progresses, he realizes that this was just an illusion, and that everything he desired was destined to slip away from him.
The beauty of youth
Another important theme in Jadis is the beauty of youth. The speaker is fascinated by the beauty of young people, and this fascination is a recurring motif throughout the poem. He describes the beauty of youth in vivid and sensual language, as if he is trying to capture its essence before it fades away. In the second stanza of the poem, he says:
But now my heart is grown so cold,
So joyless grown, so comfortless,
That scarce the tale of youth is told,
Scarce youth itself do I confess.
Here, the speaker laments the fact that he can no longer experience the beauty of youth in the same way he did when he was younger. He sees himself as an old man who can only remember what it was like to be young, but can never experience it again.
The inevitability of death
The theme of death is also present throughout the poem. The speaker is aware that everything he desires and loves will eventually disappear, and that death is the ultimate fate of all living things. In the third stanza of the poem, he says:
For still I wait, with lingerin' breath,
Till youth and life shall fade away,
And all the beauty that is death
Shall hold my heart in fee that day.
Here, the speaker acknowledges that death is the only thing that can hold his heart in fee, meaning that it is the only thing that can claim his heart as its own. He sees death as a beautiful and desirable thing, something that can give meaning to his life.
Dowson's style
Dowson's style is characterized by a melancholic tone, a love for beauty, and a fascination with death. He was a member of the decadent movement, which was a reaction against the strict moral codes of Victorian society. Decadent writers like Dowson were drawn to beauty and sensuality, and they often explored themes of love and death in their work.
In Jadis, Dowson's style is on full display. The poem is full of sensual language and vivid imagery, as if he is trying to capture the beauty of youth before it disappears. The melancholic tone of the poem reflects the speaker's awareness of the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
Jadis is a masterpiece of English literature. Ernest Dowson's style, with its melancholic tone, love for beauty, and fascination with death, is perfectly suited to the theme of transience that is at the heart of the poem. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, the beauty of youth, and the inevitability of death. It is a poignant reminder that everything we desire and love is destined to fade away, and that death is the only thing that can give meaning to our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Jadis: A Poem of Love and Loss
Ernest Dowson's poem "Jadis" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of love and loss. The poem is a reflection on the past, a time when the speaker was in love with a woman named Jadis. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's emotions and the depth of his love for Jadis.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about the past, a time when he was in love with Jadis. He describes her as "fair and sweet," and his love for her as "passionate and deep." The speaker's love for Jadis is so intense that he compares it to a flame that burns brightly and consumes everything in its path.
The speaker then goes on to describe how he and Jadis would spend their time together. They would walk through the countryside, hand in hand, and watch the sunset together. The speaker describes how he would look into Jadis's eyes and see "the light of love that shone so bright." He also describes how he would kiss her lips and feel "the warmth of her breath" on his face.
However, despite the speaker's intense love for Jadis, their relationship was not meant to be. The speaker describes how Jadis left him, and how he was left alone to mourn the loss of his love. He compares his heart to a "deserted garden," and his life to a "barren waste." The speaker's pain and sorrow are palpable, and the reader can feel the depth of his loss.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to question the nature of love and the meaning of life. He wonders if love is worth the pain and sorrow that it brings, and if life is worth living without love. He describes how he has lost his faith in love, and how he no longer believes in its power to bring happiness.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the past and the memories of his love for Jadis. He describes how he still feels her presence, even though she is gone. He compares her to a "fading star," and himself to a "wandering cloud." The speaker's love for Jadis may have ended, but the memories of their time together will always remain.
Overall, "Jadis" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of love and loss. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's emotions and the depth of his love for Jadis. The poem is also a reflection on the nature of love and the meaning of life, and it raises important questions about the value of love and the purpose of existence.
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