'The Passions' by William Collins
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An Ode for Music
When Music, heavenly maid, was young,
While yet in early Greece she sung,
The Passions oft, to hear her shell,
Thronged around her magic cell,
Exulting, trembling, raging, fainting,
Possest beyond the Muse's painting:
By turns they felt the glowing mind
Disturbed, delighted, raised, refined;
Till once, 'tis said, when all were fired,
Filled with fury, rapt, inspired,
From the supporting myrtles round
They snatched her instruments of sound,
And, as they oft had heard apart
Sweet lessons of her forceful art,
Each (for Madness ruled the hour)
Would prove his own expressive power.
First Fear his hand, its skill to try,
Amid the chords bewildered laid,
And back recoiled, he knew not why,
E'en at the sound himself had made.
Next Anger rushed, his eyes on fire,
In lightnings owned his secret stings:
In one rude clash he struck the lyre,
And swept with hurried hand the strings.
With woful measures wan Despair
Low sullen sounds his grief beguiled;
A solemn, strange, and mingled air,
'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild.
But thou, O Hope, with eyes so fair,
What was thy delighted measure?
Still it whispered promised pleasure,
And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail!
Still would her touch the strain prolong;
And from the rocks, the woods, the vale,
She called on Echo still, through all the song,
And, where her sweetest theme she chose,
A soft responsive voice was heard at every close;
And Hope enchanted smiled, and waved her golden hair.
And longer had she sung;—but, with a frown,
Revenge impatient rose:
He threw his blood-stained sword in thunder down;
And, with a withering look,
The war-denouncing trumpet took,
And blew a blast so loud and dread,
Were ne'er prophetic sounds so full of woe!
And ever and anon he beat
The doubling drum with furious heat;
And though sometimes each dreary pause between
Dejected Pity, at his side,
Her soul-subduing voice applied,
Yet still he kept his wild unaltered mien,
While each strained ball of sight seemed bursting from his head.
Thy numbers, Jealousy, to nought were fixed:
Sad proof of thy distressful state!
Of differing themes the veering song was mixed;
And now it courted Love, now raving called on Hate.
With eyes up-raised, as one inspired,
Pale Melancholy sat retired;
And from her wild sequestered seat,
In notes, by distance made more sweet,
Poured through the mellow horn her pensive soul;
And, dashing soft from rocks around,
Bubbling runnels joined the sound;
Through glades and glooms the mingled measure stole,
Or, o'er some haunted stream, with fond delay,
Round an holy calm diffusing,
Love of Peace, and lonely musing,
In hollow murmurs died away.
But Oh! how altered was its sprightlier tone
When Cheerfulness, a nymph of healthiest hue,
Her bow across her shoulder flung,
Her buskins gemmed with morning dew,
Blew an inspiring air that dale and thicket rung
The hunter's call, to Faun and Dryad known!
The oak-crowned Sisters, and their chaste-eyed Queen,
Satyrs and Sylvan Boys, were seen
Peeping from forth their alleys green:
Brown Exercise rejoiced to hear;
And Sport leapt up, and seized his beechen spear.
Last came Joy's ecstatic trial:
He, with viny crown advancing,
First to the lively pipe his hand addrest;
But soon he saw the brisk awakening viol,
Whose sweet entrancing voice he loved the best:
They would have thought who heard the strain
They saw, in Tempe's vale, her native maids
Amidst the festal-sounding shades
To some unwearied minstrel dancing,
While, as his flying fingers kissed the strings,
Love framed with Mirth a gay fantastic round:
Loose were her tresses seen, her zone unbound;
And he, amidst his frolic play,
As if he would the charming air repay,
Shook thousand odours from his dewy wings.
O Music, sphere-descended maid,
Friend of Pleasure, Wisdom's aid!
Why, goddess, why, to us denied,
Lay'st thou thy ancient lyre aside?
As, in that loved Athenian bower,
You learned an all-commanding power,
Thy mimic soul, O Nymph endeared,
Can well recall what then it heard;
Where is thy native simple heart,
Devote to Virtue, Fancy, Art?
Arise, as in that elder time,
Warm, energetic, chaste, sublime!
Thy wonders, in that godlike age,
Fill thy recording Sister's page—
'Tis said, and I believe the tale,
Thy humblest reed could more prevail,
Had more of strength, diviner rage,
Than all which charms this laggard age;
E'en all at once together found
Cecilia's mingled world of sound—
O! bid our vain endeavours cease:
Revive the just designs of Greece:
Return in all thy simple state!
Confirm the tales her sons relate!
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Astonishing Journey Through The Passions
William Collins, the master of lyric poetry, has left us with a timeless masterpiece that takes the reader on an astonishing journey of the passions. In his poem, aptly named "The Passions," Collins captures the essence of human emotions and their capacity to shape our lives. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, the poet explores the complex interplay of love, fear, despair, and hope, and how they shape our experiences and shape us into the beings we become.
The Structure and Form of The Passions
The Passions consists of three stanzas, each composed of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This regular structure provides a sense of fluidity and rhythm to the poem, which echoes the movements of the passions themselves. The use of a consistent stanzaic form also helps to convey a sense of unity and coherence, which is essential for the poem's theme.
The Themes and Symbols of The Passions
The Passions is a poem that is rich in themes and symbols. One of the most prominent themes is the idea that our passions shape our lives. Collins suggests that our emotions have the power to influence our decisions, our actions, and ultimately, our destiny. The poet uses a range of vivid and evocative symbols to convey this idea.
In the first stanza, Collins uses the symbol of the sun to represent love. The sun is a powerful and radiant force that illuminates everything around it. In the same way, love has the power to light up our lives and give us a sense of purpose and meaning. The poet also uses the symbol of the moon to represent fear. The moon is a mysterious and shadowy force that can evoke feelings of uncertainty and dread. In the same way, fear has the power to cast a shadow over our lives and make us feel uncertain about the future.
In the second stanza, Collins uses the symbol of the storm to represent despair. A storm is a powerful and destructive force that can cause chaos and destruction. In the same way, despair can leave us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. The poet also uses the symbol of the rainbow to represent hope. A rainbow is a symbol of beauty and promise, and it represents the hope that things will get better. In the same way, hope can give us the strength to carry on even in the darkest of times.
In the third stanza, Collins uses the symbol of the sea to represent the cycle of life. The sea is a vast and mysterious force that is constantly changing and evolving. In the same way, life is a journey that is full of change and transformation. The poet also uses the symbol of the wind to represent the power of the passions. The wind is a force that can be both gentle and powerful, and it represents the complex interplay of our emotions.
The Language and Imagery of The Passions
Collins uses a range of poetic devices to create a vivid and evocative world in The Passions. The language and imagery are particularly striking, and they help to convey the intensity and complexity of the emotions that are being explored.
The use of personification is particularly effective in this poem. The sun is described as "the god of day," while the moon is "queen of the night." This personification helps to create a sense of grandeur and majesty, which is fitting for such powerful forces. The use of metaphor is also particularly effective. Love is compared to "a burning flame," while fear is compared to "a cold and damp embrace." These metaphors help to create a sense of intensity and urgency, which is fitting for the passionate emotions being explored.
The use of vivid imagery is also particularly effective in The Passions. The storm is described as "the wild confusion of the troubled air," while the rainbow is "the bright arch of heaven." These images help to create a sense of contrast between the despair of the storm and the hope of the rainbow.
The Interpretation and Significance of The Passions
The Passions is a poem that has a timeless significance. It explores the complex interplay of our emotions and how they shape our lives. The poem suggests that our passions have the power to influence our decisions, our actions, and ultimately, our destiny. The use of symbols, metaphors, and imagery helps to create a vivid and evocative world, which is both compelling and thought-provoking.
In many ways, The Passions is a celebration of human emotion. It suggests that our emotions are what make us human, and they are what give our lives meaning and purpose. The poem also suggests that our emotions are a source of strength and resilience. Even in the darkest of times, hope and love can give us the strength to carry on.
Overall, The Passions is a masterpiece of lyric poetry. It is a poem that captures the essence of human emotion and its capacity to shape our lives. It is a poem that is both timeless and universal, and it is sure to continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Passions by William Collins is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that explores the various emotions that humans experience in their lives. The poem is divided into four parts, each of which deals with a different passion. In this article, we will take a closer look at The Passions and analyze its meaning and significance.
The first part of the poem deals with the passion of love. Collins describes love as a powerful force that can consume a person's entire being. He uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of this emotion. For example, he writes, "Love in these labyrinths his slaves detains, / And mighty hearts are held in slender chains." This line suggests that love can trap even the strongest of individuals and hold them captive.
Collins also explores the darker side of love in this section of the poem. He writes, "The flame of hopeless love, and the jealous ire, / The burst of sudden rage, and the slow fire." These lines suggest that love can also bring about negative emotions such as jealousy and anger. This is an important point to consider, as it highlights the fact that love is not always a positive experience.
The second part of the poem deals with the passion of ambition. Collins describes ambition as a driving force that can lead individuals to great heights. He writes, "Ambition this shall tempt to rise, / Then whirl the wretch from high." This line suggests that ambition can be both a blessing and a curse. It can lead individuals to success, but it can also cause them to fall from grace.
Collins also explores the negative aspects of ambition in this section of the poem. He writes, "Ambition scorns the bounds of rest; / It cannot slumber in the breast." This line suggests that ambition can be all-consuming, and that individuals who are driven by it may never be satisfied. This is an important point to consider, as it highlights the fact that ambition can be a dangerous passion.
The third part of the poem deals with the passion of despair. Collins describes despair as a dark and lonely emotion that can consume a person's entire being. He writes, "Despair, and fell Disease, and ghastly Poverty." These lines suggest that despair can be brought on by a variety of factors, including illness and poverty.
Collins also explores the physical effects of despair in this section of the poem. He writes, "The hollow eye grows sickly bright, / And pale the cheek is seen." These lines suggest that despair can have a profound impact on a person's physical appearance. This is an important point to consider, as it highlights the fact that despair can be a debilitating emotion.
The fourth and final part of the poem deals with the passion of joy. Collins describes joy as a powerful emotion that can bring light to even the darkest of situations. He writes, "Joy, the soft inmate of the breast, / Smiles at the storm that lays the sky." This line suggests that joy can be a source of comfort and hope in difficult times.
Collins also explores the transformative power of joy in this section of the poem. He writes, "The hues of bliss more brightly glow, / Chastised by sabler tints of woe." These lines suggest that joy can be made even more beautiful by the contrast of sadness. This is an important point to consider, as it highlights the fact that joy can be a transformative emotion.
In conclusion, The Passions by William Collins is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the various emotions that humans experience in their lives. Collins uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the intensity of these emotions, and he explores both the positive and negative aspects of each passion. This poem is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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