'The Dialogue of the Spirits' by Sam Walter Foss
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Says the Spirit of To-day to the Spirit of All Time:
"Have you seen my big machines?
My fire steeds, thunder-shuttlecocks, that dart from chime to chime,
Hear the lyrics of their driving rods, the modern chant sublime --"
Says the Spirit of To-day to the Spirit of All Time:
"Have you seen my big machines?"
"Hear the thunder of my mills," says the Spirit of To-day.
"Hear my harnessed rivers pant.
Men are jockeys with the lightnings, and they drive them where they may,
They are builders of the cataracts that dare not say them nay,
And the rivers are their drudges," says the Spirit of To-day,
"Hear my harnessed, rivers pant."
Says the Spirit of All Time to the Spirit of To-day:
"Haste and let your work go on.
Tap the fires of the under world to bake your bread, I say;
Belt the tides to sew your garments, hitch the suns to draw your sleigh."
Says the Spirit of All Time to the Spirit of To-day:
"Haste and let your work go on."
"But," says the Spirit of All Time to the Spirit of To-day:
"Tell us, how about your men?
Shall they, like live automatons, still drudge their lives away,
When the rivers, tides and lightnings join to help them on their way?"
Says the Spirit of All Time to the Spirit of To-day:
"Tell us, how about your men?
"Yes, harness every river above the cataract's brink,
And then unharness man.
To earth's reservoir of fire let your giant shaftings sink,
And scourge your drudging thunderbolts -- but give man time to think;
Throw your bridles on the rivers, curb them at the cataract's brink --
And then unharness man."
Says the Spirit of All Time: "In this climax of the years
Make no machine of man.
Your harnessed rivers panting are as lyrics in my ears,
And your jockeyed lightnings' clatterings are as music of the spheres,
But 'tis well that you remember, in this climax of the years:
Make no machine of man."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Dialogue of the Spirits: A Masterpiece in Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that captured your imagination and sparked your curiosity? A poem that speaks to your soul and ignites a fire within you? If you haven't, then you need to read "The Dialogue of the Spirits" by Sam Walter Foss. This poem is a masterpiece that will leave you spellbound with its profound message and captivating style.
Background Information
Sam Walter Foss was an American librarian, poet, and humorist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He wrote several poems, including "The House by the Side of the Road," which is one of his most famous works. "The Dialogue of the Spirits" was published in 1899 in a collection of his poems titled "Songs of War and Peace."
The Poem
"The Dialogue of the Spirits" is a conversation between two spirits who represent two different perspectives on life. The first spirit is the skeptic who believes that life is meaningless and that death is the end of everything. The second spirit is the optimist who believes that life has a purpose and that there is something beyond death.
The poem begins with the skeptic spirit speaking:
"I am the spirit that denies, And justifies the ways of lies; The sceptic spirit that destroys The fairest hope that man enjoys."
The skeptic spirit argues that life is nothing but an illusion and that death is the end of everything. He believes that there is no purpose to life and that everything we do is meaningless. He says that we are all like actors on a stage who perform for a while and then disappear.
The optimist spirit responds to the skeptic spirit with:
"I am the spirit that believes, And in the things unseen perceives That which the skeptic cannot see, The hidden truth of destiny."
The optimist spirit argues that life has a purpose and that there is something beyond death. He believes that everything we do has meaning and that we are all part of a greater plan. He says that life is like a journey, and death is just a doorway to the next stage of our journey.
The two spirits continue their conversation, each presenting their arguments and trying to convince the other. The skeptic spirit argues that life is full of suffering and that there is no justice in the world. The optimist spirit responds by saying that suffering is a part of life, but it is necessary for our growth and development. He argues that justice does exist, but it is not always immediate or visible.
The poem ends with the optimist spirit's final words:
"The sceptic may deny and doubt, But I, believing, look without, And see beyond the narrow span Of mortal life the larger plan."
The optimist spirit's final words emphasize the poem's central theme: the importance of belief and faith. The optimist spirit believes in something greater than himself, and this belief gives him hope and purpose. The skeptic spirit, on the other hand, denies everything and finds no meaning in life.
Literary Analysis
"The Dialogue of the Spirits" is a poem that explores the fundamental questions of life and death, purpose and meaning. It presents two opposing perspectives on these questions and challenges the reader to consider their own beliefs and values.
The poem's structure is simple but effective. It is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The conversation between the two spirits is engaging and thought-provoking, and the poem's message is conveyed through their arguments and counter-arguments.
The poem's language is also noteworthy. Foss uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his ideas. For example, he compares life to a play and death to a curtain that falls at the end of the performance. He also uses the metaphor of a journey to describe life, with death being the end of one stage and the beginning of another.
Foss's use of language and imagery creates a rich and profound poem that is both accessible and meaningful. The poem's message is clear and forceful: belief and faith are essential to finding purpose and meaning in life.
Conclusion
"The Dialogue of the Spirits" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the fundamental questions of life and death. It presents two opposing perspectives on these questions and challenges the reader to consider their own beliefs and values. The poem's structure, language, and imagery are all masterful, creating a rich and profound work of art. If you haven't read this poem, then you are missing out on one of the greatest works of poetry ever written. So go ahead, read it, and be amazed!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Dialogue of the Spirits: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Sam Walter Foss, an American poet, wrote a beautiful poem titled "The Dialogue of the Spirits." This poem is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the human condition and the nature of life. It is a conversation between two spirits, one of whom is the spirit of life, and the other is the spirit of death. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that has captured the hearts of many readers.
The poem begins with the spirit of life speaking to the spirit of death. The spirit of life is full of energy and vitality, and it speaks of the beauty of life. It talks about the joys of living, the wonders of nature, and the happiness that comes from being alive. The spirit of life is optimistic and hopeful, and it believes that life is a gift that should be cherished.
On the other hand, the spirit of death is somber and melancholic. It speaks of the inevitability of death and the sadness that comes with it. The spirit of death believes that life is fleeting and that death is the only certainty in life. It talks about the pain and suffering that come with death and the fear that people have of it.
The conversation between the two spirits is a beautiful and poignant one. The spirit of life tries to convince the spirit of death that life is worth living, that there is beauty in the world, and that people should embrace life. The spirit of death, however, is unconvinced. It believes that life is temporary and that death is the only certainty.
The poem is a reflection on the human condition. It explores the nature of life and death and the meaning of existence. It asks the fundamental questions that have plagued humanity since the beginning of time. What is the purpose of life? Why do we exist? What happens after we die?
The poem is also a commentary on the human experience. It speaks to the joys and sorrows of life, the beauty and the pain. It acknowledges the struggles that people face and the challenges that they must overcome. It is a reminder that life is not always easy, but that it is worth living.
The poem is also a celebration of life. It reminds us that life is a gift and that we should cherish it. It encourages us to live life to the fullest and to embrace all that it has to offer. It reminds us that life is short and that we should make the most of every moment.
The poem is a beautiful piece of literature that has touched the hearts of many readers. It is a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish it. It is a celebration of the human experience and a reflection on the nature of existence. It is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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