'This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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[Addressed to Charles Lamb, of the India House, London]
In the June of 1797 some long-expected friends paid a visit
to the author's cottage; and on the morning of their arrival,
he met with an accident, which disabled him from walking
during the whole time of their stay. One evening, when they
had left him for a few hours, he composed the following
lines in the garden-bower.
Well, they are gone, and here must I remain,
This lime-tree bower my prison! I have lost
Beauties and feelings, such as would have been
Most sweet to my remembrance even when age
Had dimm'd mine eyes to blindness! They, meanwhile,
Friends, whom I never more may meet again,
On springy heath, along the hill-top edge,
Wander in gladness, and wind down, perchance,
To that still roaring dell, of which I told;
The roaring dell, o'erwooded, narrow, deep,
And only specked by the mid-day sun;
Where its slim trunk the ash from rock to rock
Flings arching like a bridge;—that branchless ash,
Unsunn'd and damp, whose few poor yellow leaves
Ne'er tremble in the gale, yet tremble still,
Fann'd by the water-fall! and there my friends
Behold the dark green file of long lank weeds,
That all at once (a most fantastic sight!)
Still nod and drip beneath the dripping edge
Of the blue clay-stone.
Now, my friends emerge
Beneath the wide wide Heaven—and view again
The many-steepled tract magnificent
Of hilly fields and meadows, and the sea,
With some fair bark, perhaps, whose sails light up
The slip of smooth clear blue betwixt two Isles
Of purple shadow! Yes! they wander on
In gladness all; but thou, methinks, most glad,
My gentle-hearted Charles! for thou hast pined
And hunger'd after Nature, many a year,
In the great City pent, winning thy way
With sad yet patient soul, through evil and pain
And strange calamity! Ah! Slowly sink
Behind the western ridge, thou glorious Sun!
Shine in the slant beams of the sinking orb,
Ye purple heath-flowers! richlier burn, ye clouds!
Live in the yellow light, ye distant groves!
And kindle, thou blue Ocean! So my friend
Struck with deep joy may stand, as I have stood,
Silent with swimming sense; yea, gazing round
On the wide landscape, gaze till all doth seem
Less gross than bodily; and of such hues
As veil the Almighty Spirit, when yet he makes
Spirits perceive his presence.
A delight
Comes sudden on my heart, and I am glad
As I myself were there! Nor in this bower,
This little lime-tree bower, have I not mark'd
Much that has sooth'd me. Pale beneath the blaze
Hung the transparent foliage; and I watch'd
Some broad and sunny leaf, and lov'd to see
The shadow of the leaf and stem above
Dappling its sunshine! And that walnut-tree
Was richly ting'd, and a deep radiance lay
Full on the ancient ivy, which usurps
Those fronting elms, and now, with blackest mass
Makes their dark branches gleam a lighter hue
Through the late twilight: and though now the bat
Wheels silent by, and not a swallow twitters,
Yet still the solitary humble-bee
Sings in the bean-flower! Henceforth I shall know
That Nature ne'er deserts the wise and pure;
No plot so narrow, be but Nature there,
No waste so vacant, but may well employ
Each faculty of sense, and keep the heart
Awake to love and Beauty! and sometimes
'Tis well to be bereft of promis'd good,
That we may lift the soul, and contemplate
With lively joy the joys we cannot share.
My gentle-hearted Charles! when the last rook
Beat its straight path along the dusky air
Homewards, I blest it! deeming its black wing
(Now a dim speck, now vanishing in light)
Had cross'd the mighty Orb's dilated glory,
While thou stood'st gazing or, when all was still,
Flew creeking o'er thy head, and had a charm
For thee, my gentle-hearted Charles, to whom
No sound is dissonant which tells of Life.
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison: A Poetic Journey of Self-Discovery
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is a poem that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, using nature as a backdrop for contemplation and reflection. The poem is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry and displays Coleridge's mastery of language and poetic form. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.
Background
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a British poet, critic, and philosopher who was born in 1772 and died in 1834. He was a leading figure of the Romantic movement in literature, which emphasized emotion, imagination, and nature. Coleridge is best known for his poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and his collaboration with William Wordsworth on "Lyrical Ballads". "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" was written in 1797, during Coleridge's time living in the countryside near Bristol.
Summary
The poem is written in the form of a letter to Coleridge's friend, Charles Lamb. Coleridge is unable to join his friends on a walk to the nearby hills because he has injured his foot. Instead, Coleridge sits in a lime-tree bower in his garden, imagining the sights and sounds of the natural world that his friends are experiencing. As he contemplates his own situation, he begins to see the beauty and wonder in the world around him. The poem ends with Coleridge realizing that he is not really stuck in his prison of a lime-tree bower, but rather has found a new way of seeing and experiencing the world.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the power of nature to inspire and transform. Coleridge uses vivid imagery and sensory description to convey the beauty and wonder of the natural world. He also explores the idea that nature has the ability to heal and restore, both physically and emotionally. Through his contemplation of nature, Coleridge is able to find peace and contentment, even in his confinement.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of perspective and perception. Coleridge initially sees his situation as a negative one, feeling trapped and alone. However, as he begins to reflect on the world around him, he sees that his perspective is limited and that there is much to be gained from observing and contemplating nature. Through a shift in perception, Coleridge is able to find joy and meaning in his confinement.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of connection and friendship. Although Coleridge is physically separated from his friends, he is still able to feel a sense of companionship through his imagination and empathy. He realizes that he is not alone in his experience, but that others are also experiencing the beauty and wonder of the natural world. This realization brings him closer to his friends and deepens his sense of connection to the world around him.
Imagery
The imagery in "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the natural world. Coleridge uses sensory description to convey the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. For example, he describes the "pursy swallow" and the "redbreast" in the opening lines of the poem, giving the reader a sense of the birds' physical presence and movement. He also uses personification to give life to the natural world, such as the "green hill" that "looks silently" and the "shy primrose" that "peeps from the sullen earth". This use of imagery helps to create a sense of immersion in the natural world and to convey the power and beauty of nature.
Language
The language used in "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is poetic and refined, displaying Coleridge's mastery of language and form. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with a regular rhythm and structure that gives it a sense of musicality. Coleridge also uses a range of literary devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and metaphor, to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. For example, he describes the "cuckoo-bird / Breaking the silence of the seas / Among the farthest Hebrides" in the second stanza, using alliteration and metaphor to create a vivid picture of the bird's call and its impact on the natural world. This use of language helps to elevate the poem beyond simple description, giving it a deeper resonance and meaning.
Interpretation
"This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is a poem that invites interpretation and reflection. At its core, the poem is about the power of nature to inspire and transform, and the importance of perspective and perception in finding meaning and purpose in life. Coleridge uses his own experience of confinement to explore these themes, drawing on the beauty and wonder of the natural world to convey a sense of hope and redemption.
The poem can also be read as a meditation on the role of the poet in society. Coleridge suggests that the poet has a unique ability to see the world in a different way, to find beauty and meaning in even the most mundane or difficult situations. He also suggests that the poet has a responsibility to share this vision with others, to help them see the world in a new and wondrous way. This interpretation of the poem emphasizes the role of the poet as a visionary and a guide, using language and imagery to lead others towards a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Overall, "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience of confinement, isolation, and self-discovery. Coleridge's use of imagery, language, and form create a work of art that is both beautiful and profound, inviting the reader to explore the themes and ideas that underlie the poem. Whether read as a meditation on nature, a reflection on perception and perspective, or a celebration of the poet's role in society, "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is a timeless work of Romantic poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the most prominent figures of the Romantic era, is known for his lyrical and imaginative poetry. Among his many works, "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" stands out as a masterpiece of the genre. Written in 1797, the poem is a meditation on nature, friendship, and the power of imagination. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and how they contribute to its enduring appeal.
The poem is structured as a monologue, spoken by the narrator, who is confined to a lime-tree bower due to an injury. His friends have gone on a hike without him, and he is left to contemplate his surroundings. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the narrator's experience.
In the first part, the narrator describes the beauty of the natural world around him. He marvels at the "green hill" and the "wide landscape" that he can see from his vantage point. He also takes note of the various plants and animals that inhabit the area, from the "wild rose" to the "wren's nest." The imagery in this section is vivid and sensory, with the narrator using words like "fragrant," "bright," and "sweet" to convey the richness of his surroundings.
However, the narrator's appreciation of nature is tinged with a sense of melancholy. He is unable to join his friends on their hike, and he feels trapped in his "prison" of a lime-tree bower. He envies his friends' freedom and longs to be with them, but he is resigned to his fate. This sense of isolation and longing is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrator's observations.
In the second part of the poem, the narrator turns his attention to his absent friends. He imagines what they might be experiencing on their hike, and he envies their sense of adventure and camaraderie. However, he also recognizes the limitations of his own perspective. He acknowledges that his friends are seeing things that he cannot, and he wonders if they are thinking of him as he thinks of them. This section of the poem is notable for its use of imagery and metaphor. The narrator compares his friends to "mountain torrents" and "clouds," emphasizing their energy and unpredictability. He also uses the metaphor of a "magic lantern" to describe the way that his imagination is able to conjure up images of his friends' journey.
The third and final part of the poem is the most introspective. The narrator reflects on his own situation and the lessons that he has learned from it. He realizes that his confinement has allowed him to appreciate the beauty of nature in a way that he might not have otherwise. He also recognizes the importance of friendship and the power of the imagination. He concludes the poem with a sense of gratitude and humility, acknowledging that his experience has taught him valuable lessons.
One of the most striking aspects of "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is its use of imagery. Coleridge was a master of sensory description, and the poem is full of vivid and evocative images. From the "crimson spots" on a butterfly's wings to the "dewy grass" beneath the narrator's feet, every detail is carefully observed and rendered in language that is both precise and poetic. This attention to detail creates a sense of immersion for the reader, allowing us to share in the narrator's experience of the natural world.
Another key element of the poem is its use of language. Coleridge was known for his lyrical and musical style, and "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is no exception. The poem is full of alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices that create a sense of rhythm and harmony. For example, in the first stanza, the repetition of the "s" sound in "sweet-scented" and "silver-sheen" creates a sense of fluidity and movement. Similarly, the use of the word "whisper" in the second stanza creates a sense of intimacy and secrecy. These linguistic devices contribute to the poem's overall beauty and elegance.
Finally, the poem is notable for its themes of nature, friendship, and imagination. Coleridge was deeply influenced by the Romantic movement, which emphasized the importance of these themes. In "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison," he explores the way that nature can inspire and uplift us, even in difficult circumstances. He also celebrates the power of friendship, which can sustain us even when we are physically separated from our loved ones. And he extols the virtues of the imagination, which allows us to transcend our immediate surroundings and connect with the wider world.
In conclusion, "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. Its vivid imagery, musical language, and profound themes make it a timeless work of art. Coleridge's exploration of nature, friendship, and imagination continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us.
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