'An Hymn To The Evening' by Phillis Wheatley

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Soon as the sun forsook the eastern main
The pealing thunder shook the heav'nly plain;
Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr's wing,
Exhales the incense of the blooming spring.
Soft purl the streams, the birds renew their notes,
And through the air their mingled music floats.

Through all the heav'ns what beauteous dies are spread!
But the west glories in the deepest red:
So may our breasts with ev'ry virtue glow,
The living temples of our God below!

Fill'd with the praise of him who gives the light,
And draws the sable curtains of the night,
Let placid slumbers sooth each weary mind,
At morn to wake more heav'nly, more refin'd;
So shall the labours of the day begin
More pure, more guarded from the snares of sin.

Night's leaden sceptre seals my drowsy eyes,
Then cease, my song, till fair Aurora rise.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Hymn To The Evening by Phillis Wheatley - A Mesmerizing Ode to Nature and the Divine

Oh, what a splendid ode to the evening! Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry in America, has left us with a mesmerizing tribute to nature, divinity, and the power of language. An Hymn to the Evening, published in 1773, showcases Wheatley's mastery of the English language, her deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, and her unwavering faith in God.

A Poet's Eye, a Mystic's Heart

Reading An Hymn to the Evening, one can't help but be struck by the poet's eye for detail and her ability to convey the sensory experience of the evening. From the "pensive twilight" to the "dewy lawn," Wheatley paints a vivid picture of the world as it transitions from day to night. Her language is rich and musical, and her use of personification gives the natural world a sense of agency and purpose.

But Wheatley's poem is more than just a celebration of the beauty of nature. It is also an expression of her deep religious faith and her belief in the power of the divine. Throughout the poem, she draws on Christian imagery and symbolism to create a sense of awe and reverence. The "heavenly flame" that illuminates the sky is a metaphor for God's presence, and the "seraphs" that guard the gates of heaven are a reminder of the power and majesty of the divine.

A Dialogue Between the Human and the Divine

One of the most striking features of An Hymn to the Evening is Wheatley's use of dialogue between the human and the divine. The poem begins with the speaker addressing the evening, asking it to "unfold thy roseate wings." This invocation sets the stage for a conversation between the mortal and the divine, as the speaker asks for guidance and protection from God.

Throughout the poem, Wheatley uses the evening as a metaphor for life's journey, with its "vexing cares" and "dread alarm." But even in the face of these challenges, the speaker remains steadfast in her faith, trusting in God's mercy and grace. The poem ends with a powerful affirmation of this belief:

"And when the last faint gleam of evening dies,
 And Cynthia mounts her wagon to the skies,
 Thy throne shall still endure,
 Thy glorious name shall stand,
 When rolling worlds confess no more command."

This final stanza is a testament to the enduring power of faith, and to the belief that the divine will continue to guide and protect us, even after death.

A Legacy of Resilience and Hope

As a woman of African descent, Phillis Wheatley faced immense challenges in her life. Born in West Africa and brought to America as a slave, she was denied the basic rights and freedoms that many of us take for granted. And yet, through her poetry, she was able to find a voice and a platform for her ideas and her beliefs.

An Hymn to the Evening is a testament to Wheatley's resilience and her unwavering hope in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is beauty and meaning to be found in the world around us, and that our faith can sustain us through even the most difficult of challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, An Hymn to the Evening is a masterpiece of English poetry, and a testament to the power of language, faith, and the natural world. Phillis Wheatley's ability to evoke the sensory experience of the evening, and to use it as a metaphor for life's journey, is a testament to her skill and her artistry. And her unwavering faith in God, and her belief in the enduring power of the divine, is a source of inspiration and hope for us all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Hymn To The Evening: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Phillis Wheatley, an African-American poet, is known for her exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of her most famous poems is "An Hymn To The Evening," which is a beautiful ode to the evening sky. The poem is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the evening and the emotions it evokes in the human heart.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Wheatley describes the beauty of the evening sky. She writes, "Soon as the sun forsook the eastern main, / The pealing thunder shook the heav'nly plain; / Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr's wing, / Exhales the incense of the blooming spring." The imagery in these lines is breathtaking, as Wheatley describes the sky as majestic and grand. She also uses personification to describe the zephyr's wing, which exhales the incense of the blooming spring. This creates a sense of harmony between nature and the evening sky.

In the second stanza, Wheatley continues to describe the beauty of the evening sky. She writes, "Soft purl the streams, the birds renew their notes, / And through the air their mingled music floats." The use of the word "soft" to describe the streams creates a sense of calmness and tranquility. The birds renewing their notes and the mingled music floating through the air create a sense of harmony and peace. Wheatley also uses alliteration in this stanza, with the repetition of the "s" sound in "soft purl the streams" and "their mingled music floats." This creates a soothing effect on the reader and adds to the overall beauty of the poem.

The third stanza is where Wheatley brings in the human element. She writes, "Through the calm gloom the church-bells sadly ring, / For they now summon the poor wretch to pray: / Ah! Wretched they, who toil and toil for bread, / And have no hope to comfort them when dead." The use of the word "calm" to describe the gloom creates a sense of peace, but the church-bells ringing sadly remind us of the struggles of the poor. Wheatley's use of the word "wretched" to describe the poor creates a sense of empathy in the reader. The final line, "And have no hope to comfort them when dead," is a powerful reminder of the struggles of the poor and the importance of hope.

Overall, "An Hymn To The Evening" is a beautiful ode to the evening sky that captures the beauty of nature and the struggles of humanity. Wheatley's use of imagery, personification, alliteration, and empathy create a powerful and emotional poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a masterpiece of poetry that reminds us of the beauty of nature and the struggles of humanity, and the importance of hope in our lives.

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