'Beggar To Beggar Cried' by William Butler Yeats
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'Time to put off the world and go somewhere
And find my health again in the sea air,'
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
'And make my soul before my pate is bare.-
'And get a comfortable wife and house
To rid me of the devil in my shoes,'
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
'And the worse devil that is between my thighs.'
And though I'd marry with a comely lass,
She need not be too comely - let it pass,'
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
'But there's a devil in a looking-glass.'
'Nor should she be too rich, because the rich
Are driven by wealth as beggars by the itch,'
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
'And cannot have a humorous happy speech.'
'And there I'll grow respected at my ease,
And hear amid the garden's nightly peace.'
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
'The wind-blown clamour of the barnacle-geese.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Beggar To Beggar Cried: A Poetic Exploration of the Human Condition
As I delve into the poem "Beggar To Beggar Cried" by the famous Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, I am struck by the profundity and complexity of its message. In this poem, Yeats uses the metaphor of a beggar to explore the nature of the human condition, and the struggle that all of us face in finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
A Closer Look at the Poem
The first thing that strikes me about this poem is the title. "Beggar To Beggar Cried" immediately creates an image of desperation and despair. The fact that the speaker is a beggar, and is crying out to other beggars, suggests that the poem is going to deal with themes of poverty, isolation, and hardship.
As I read on, however, I realize that the poem is about much more than just the struggles of poverty. Yeats uses the beggar as a symbol for all of humanity, and the poem becomes a meditation on the nature of existence itself.
The poem begins with the line "Time to toss the dice." This line immediately establishes the idea of chance and randomness, and suggests that our lives are not predetermined, but are subject to the whims of fate.
The next few lines continue this theme, as the speaker talks about the "lucky or the wise" and the "broken and the blind." These lines suggest that some people are able to navigate the chaos of life more successfully than others, but that ultimately, we are all subject to the same uncertainties and challenges.
As the poem progresses, however, it becomes clear that Yeats is not content to simply paint a bleak picture of the human condition. Instead, he offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in the midst of hardship and uncertainty, we can find meaning and purpose.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem comes towards the end, when the speaker declares "I am king of Spain, and I have silver in my sack." This line is both humorous and poignant, as it suggests that even the lowliest beggar can find moments of joy and triumph.
Themes and Interpretations
One of the most striking themes in "Beggar To Beggar Cried" is the idea of fate and chance. Throughout the poem, Yeats emphasizes the role that luck and randomness play in our lives, and suggests that we are all subject to the same uncertainties and challenges.
At the same time, however, Yeats also suggests that we have agency in our own lives, and that we can make choices that shape our destiny. This is most evident in the line "I am king of Spain," which suggests that even the most disadvantaged among us can find moments of triumph and accomplishment.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of community. The fact that the speaker is addressing other beggars suggests that there is a sense of solidarity and shared experience among those who are struggling. This theme is reinforced by the line "We have thrown into the dust-bin the clay-minted wages of pleasure," which suggests that the beggars have rejected the materialistic values of the wider society in favor of a more communal and egalitarian way of life.
Finally, the poem also explores the idea of meaning and purpose. Throughout the poem, the speaker searches for a sense of purpose in his life, and ultimately finds it in the form of the "silver in my sack." This suggests that even in the midst of hardship and uncertainty, we can find moments of joy and meaning if we are open to them.
Conclusion
As I reflect on "Beggar To Beggar Cried," I am struck by the power and beauty of Yeats' poetry. Through the metaphor of the beggar, Yeats is able to explore the most profound and universal themes of the human condition, from the role of fate and chance, to the importance of community and the search for meaning and purpose.
Ultimately, I believe that this poem offers a message of hope and resilience, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. Whether we are beggars on the street, or kings of Spain, we all have the capacity for joy, triumph, and meaning, if only we are willing to open ourselves up to the possibilities of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Beggar To Beggar Cried: An Analysis of William Butler Yeats’ Classic Poem
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, complexity, and symbolism. One of his most famous poems is Beggar To Beggar Cried, which was first published in 1928. This poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it explores themes of poverty, suffering, and the search for meaning in life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, “Beggar to beggar cried in the street,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word “beggar” suggests that the poem is going to be about poverty and the struggles of the poor. The fact that the beggars are crying in the street also suggests that they are in a desperate situation, and that they have no other means of survival.
The next line, “The passing stranger has pity on me,” introduces the idea of empathy and compassion. The passing stranger is someone who is not a beggar, and who has the means to help the beggar. The fact that the stranger has pity on the beggar suggests that they understand the beggar’s plight, and that they are willing to help in some way.
The third line, “‘Jewels for my love,’ the passing stranger said,” introduces the idea of love and romance. The passing stranger is not just offering the beggar money or food, but is offering them jewels for their love. This suggests that the stranger is not just trying to help the beggar out of pity, but is genuinely interested in forming a connection with them.
The fourth line, “‘And I’ll give her a necklace of pearl and ruby red,’” reinforces the idea of love and romance. The passing stranger is not just offering the beggar a gift, but is offering a gift for their love. The fact that the necklace is made of pearl and ruby red also suggests that it is a valuable and precious gift, which further reinforces the idea that the stranger is genuinely interested in forming a connection with the beggar.
The fifth line, “But beggars to beggars hardly are known,” introduces the idea of social class and the barriers that exist between different groups of people. The fact that the passing stranger is not a beggar, but is offering gifts to a beggar, suggests that there is a divide between the two groups. The fact that beggars hardly know each other also suggests that there is a lack of community among the poor.
The sixth line, “My dear, my dear, I fear my face is known,” introduces the idea of shame and guilt. The beggar is hesitant to accept the passing stranger’s offer because they fear that their face is known. This suggests that the beggar may have done something in the past that they are ashamed of, or that they are afraid of being recognized as a beggar.
The seventh line, “My dear, my dear, I hear the boar’s cry,” introduces the idea of danger and fear. The boar’s cry is a symbol of danger, and the fact that the beggar hears it suggests that they are in a dangerous situation. This reinforces the idea that the beggar is in a desperate situation, and that they are in need of help.
The eighth line, “Quick, or we’re lost,” reinforces the idea of danger and fear. The fact that the beggar is urging the passing stranger to act quickly suggests that they are in immediate danger, and that they need to act fast to avoid harm.
The ninth line, “And beggar to beggar cried and away went he,” introduces the idea of fleeting connections and the transience of human relationships. The fact that the passing stranger quickly leaves after the beggar urges them to act suggests that their connection was brief and fleeting. This reinforces the idea that there is a lack of community among the poor, and that connections between people are often fleeting and temporary.
The poem ends with the line, “And the two in the wood were never seen again.” This line is a powerful and haunting conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the passing stranger and the beggar disappeared into the woods, and that they were never seen again. This reinforces the idea of the transience of human relationships, and suggests that the connection between the passing stranger and the beggar was brief and fleeting.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, which reinforces the idea of the fleeting nature of human relationships. The poem is also quite short, with only nine lines, which further reinforces the idea of transience and brevity.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of symbolism, metaphor, and repetition. The use of the word “beggar” is a powerful symbol that represents poverty and the struggles of the poor. The passing stranger’s offer of jewels and a necklace is a metaphor for love and connection. The repetition of the phrase “my dear, my dear” reinforces the idea of intimacy and connection, while the repetition of the phrase “beggar to beggar cried” reinforces the idea of the lack of community among the poor.
In conclusion, Beggar To Beggar Cried is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of poverty, suffering, and the search for meaning in life. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, and it makes use of symbolism, metaphor, and repetition to convey its message. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it reminds us of the importance of empathy, compassion, and human connection.
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