'France: An Ode' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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I
Ye clouds! that far above me float and pause,
Whose pathless march no mortal may control!
Ye Ocean-Waves! that, whereso'er ye roll,
Yield homage only to eternal laws!
Ye Woods! that listen to the night-birds singing,
Midway the smooth and perilous slope reclined,
Save when your own imperious branches swinging,
Have made a solemn music of the wind!
Where, like a man beloved of God,
Through glooms, which never woodmand trod,
How oft, pursuing fancies holy,
My moonlight way o'er flowering weeds I wound,
Inspired, beyond the guess of folly,
By each rude shape and wild unconquerable sound!
O ye loud Waves! and O ye Forests high!
And O ye Clouds that far above me soared!
Thou rising Sun! thou blue rejoicing Sky!
Yea! every thing that is and will be free!
Bear witness for me, whereso'er ye be,
With what deep worship I have still adored
The spirit of divinest Liberty.
II
When France in wrath her giant-limbs upreared,
And with that oath, which smote air, earth, and sea,
Stamped her strong foot and said she would be free,
Bear witness for me, how I hoped and feared!
With what a joy my lofty gratulation
Unawed I sang, amid a slavish band:
And when to whelm the disenchanted nation,
Like fiends embattled by a wizard's wand,
The Monarchs marched in evil day,
And Britain joined the dire array;
Though dear her shores and circling ocean,
Though many friendships, many youthful loves
Had swoln the patriot emotion
And flung a magic light o'er all the hills and groves;
Yet still my voice, unaltered, sang defeat
To all that braved the tyrant-quelling lance,
And shame too long delayed and vain retreat!
For ne'er, O Liberty! with parial aim
I dimmed thy light or damped thy holy flame;
But blessed the paeans of delivered France,
And hung my head and wept at Britain's name.
III
'And what,' I said, 'though Blasphemy's loud scream
With that sweet music of deliverance strove!
Though all the fierce and drunken passions wove
A dance more wild than e'er was maniac's dream!
Ye storms, that round the dawning East assembled,
The Sun was rising, though ye hid his light!'
And when, to soothe my soul, that hoped and trembled,
The dissonance ceased, and all that seemed calm and bright;
When France her front deep-scarr'd and gory
Concealed with clustering wreaths of glory;
When, unsupportably advancing,
Her arm made mockery of the warrior's ramp;
While timid looks of fury glancing,
Domestic treason, crushed beneath her fatal stamp,
Writhed like a wounded dragon in his gore;
Then I reproached my fears that would not flee;
'And soon,' I said, 'shall Wisdom teach her lore
In the low huts of them that toil and groan!
And, conquering by her happiness alone,
Shall France compel the nations to be free,
Till love and Joy look round, and call the Earth their own.'
Forgive me, Freedom! O forgive those dreams!
I hear thy voice, I hear thy loud lament,
From bleak Helvetia's icy caverns sent-
I hear thy groans upon her blood-stained streams!
Heroes, that for your peaceful country perished,
And ye that, fleeing, spot your mountain-snows
With bleeding wounds; forgive me, that I cherished
One thought that ever blessed your cruel foes!
To scatter rage, and traitorous guilt,
Where Peace her jealous home had built;
A patriot-race to disinherit
Of all that made their stormy wilds so dear;
And with inexpiable spirit
To taint the bloodless freedom of the mountaineer-
O France, that mockest Heaven, adulterous, blind,
And patriot only in pernicious toils!
Are these thy boasts, Champion of human kind?
To mix with Kings in the low lust of sway,
Yell in the hunt, and share the murderous prey;
To insult the shrine of Liberty with spoils
From freemen torn; to tempt and to betray?
The Sensual and the Dark rebel in vain,
Slaves by their own compulsion! In mad game
They burst their manacles and wear the name
Of Freedom, graven on a heavier chain!
O Liberty! with profitless endeavour
Have I pursued thee, many a weary hour;
But thou nor swell'st the victor's strain, nor ever
Didst breathe thy soul in forms of human power.
Alike from all, howe'er they praise thee,
(Nor prayer, nor boastful name delays thee)
Alike from Priestcraft's harpy minions,
And factious Blasphemy's obscener slaves,
Thou speedest on thy subtle pinions,
The guide of homeless winds, and playmate of the waves!
And there I felt thee!—on that sea-cliff's verge,
Whose pines, scarce travelled by the breeze above,
Had made one murmur with the distant surge!
Yes, while I stood and gazed, my temples bare,
And shot my being through earth, sea, and air,
Possessing all things with intensest love,
O Liberty! my spirit felt thee there.
Editor 1 Interpretation
France: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
When we think of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, often what comes to mind are his famous poems such as "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Kubla Khan." However, his lesser-known work, "France: An Ode," is just as worthy of attention and critical analysis.
Background Information
"France: An Ode" was written in 1797, during a time of great political upheaval in France and England. The French Revolution had begun in 1789 and continued through the 1790s, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. In England, there was both excitement and fear about the revolution in France, with some supporting the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, while others feared the violence and chaos that came with the revolution.
Coleridge himself was a supporter of the ideals of the French Revolution, and "France: An Ode" can be seen as a celebration of those ideals. However, it is also a poem that reflects Coleridge's own struggles with his political beliefs and his disappointment with the violence and extremism that he saw in France.
Literary Analysis
At its core, "France: An Ode" is a poem about the power of ideals and the need for change. Coleridge begins the poem by addressing France herself, personifying the country as a woman who has been "long betrothed" to the ideals of liberty and equality. He speaks of her "mystic union" with these ideals, suggesting that they are not just political concepts but deeply spiritual ones as well.
The poem then moves into a celebration of the French Revolution, with Coleridge praising the "mighty birth" of liberty and the "holy transports" of the people as they rise up against their oppressors. He speaks of the "sublime of hope" that the revolution represents, and the "prophetic vision" that it offers of a better future.
However, even as Coleridge celebrates the French Revolution, he also acknowledges the violence and chaos that came with it. He speaks of the "ruffian horror" that stalked the streets of Paris, and the "fierce democracy" that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of society. He describes the "sanguine stain" of the revolution, and the "foul stain" of the guillotine.
In the final section of the poem, Coleridge turns his attention to his own country, England. He warns that England should not be complacent or self-satisfied, but should instead continue to strive for the ideals of liberty and equality. He speaks of the need for "firm laws and statutes just," and the importance of "liberty of thought and speech." He suggests that England has much to learn from France, both in terms of what to emulate and what to avoid.
Overall, "France: An Ode" is a complex and nuanced poem that reflects Coleridge's own struggles with his political beliefs. On the one hand, he celebrates the ideals of the French Revolution and the power of the people to rise up against their oppressors. On the other hand, he acknowledges the violence and chaos that came with the revolution and the danger of extremism.
Interpretation
One way to interpret "France: An Ode" is as a reflection of Coleridge's own political journey. Like many intellectuals of his time, Coleridge was initially excited by the ideals of the French Revolution and believed that they represented a new era of freedom and equality. However, as the revolution became increasingly violent and extreme, Coleridge began to have second thoughts.
In "France: An Ode," we can see this tension between hope and disillusionment. Coleridge celebrates the birth of liberty in France and the power of the people to rise up against their oppressors. However, he also acknowledges the danger of extremism and the need for balance and moderation.
Another way to interpret the poem is as a commentary on the relationship between England and France. Coleridge suggests that England has much to learn from France, both in terms of what to emulate and what to avoid. He speaks of the need for "firm laws and statutes just," which suggests that he saw England as in need of reform.
Overall, "France: An Ode" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that raises important questions about the nature of revolution, the power of ideals, and the need for moderation and balance. Coleridge's language is beautiful and evocative, and his use of personification and imagery adds depth and richness to the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "France: An Ode" is a complex and nuanced poem that deserves more attention than it typically receives. It reflects Coleridge's own political journey and raises important questions about the nature of revolution and the need for moderation and balance. It is a poem that is both hopeful and cautionary, celebrating the power of ideals while also acknowledging their potential dangers. Overall, "France: An Ode" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
France: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a classic poem that captures the essence of France and its people. The poem was written in 1798, during a time when France was going through a period of political and social upheaval. Coleridge, who was a great admirer of France and its culture, wrote this ode as a tribute to the country and its people.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of France. The first part of the poem is a celebration of the natural beauty of France. Coleridge describes the country as a land of "mountains, woods, and streams," and praises its "azure skies" and "verdant fields." He also pays tribute to the "vine-clad hills" and the "olive groves" that are so characteristic of the French landscape.
The second part of the poem is a tribute to the French people. Coleridge describes them as a "noble race," and praises their "genius, wit, and taste." He also notes their "courtesy and grace," and their "love of freedom." Coleridge's admiration for the French people is evident throughout this section of the poem, and he clearly sees them as a people who are worthy of respect and admiration.
The third and final part of the poem is a reflection on the political and social upheaval that was taking place in France at the time. Coleridge acknowledges the difficulties that the country was facing, but he also expresses his belief that the French people would ultimately overcome these challenges. He writes that "the storm may beat upon their shore," but that the French people would "rise superior to the tempest's roar."
One of the most striking aspects of France: An Ode is the way in which Coleridge uses language to convey his admiration for France and its people. His use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of awe and wonder that is truly captivating. For example, in the first part of the poem, he describes the French landscape as a "glorious robe of light," and in the second part, he compares the French people to "the eagle, soaring to the sun."
Another notable feature of the poem is the way in which Coleridge uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, in the second part of the poem, he repeats the phrase "noble race" several times, emphasizing his admiration for the French people. This repetition also serves to reinforce the idea that the French people are a unified and cohesive group, despite the challenges they may be facing.
Overall, France: An Ode is a powerful tribute to France and its people. Coleridge's admiration for the country and its culture is evident throughout the poem, and his use of language and imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe that is truly captivating. Despite the challenges that France was facing at the time, Coleridge remained optimistic about the country's future, and his ode serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the French people.
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