'The Grey Rock' by William Butler Yeats
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Poets with whom I learned my trade.
Companions of the Cheshire Cheese,
Here's an old story I've remade,
Imagining 'twould better please
Your cars than stories now in fashion,
Though you may think I waste my breath
Pretending that there can be passion
That has more life in it than death,
And though at bottling of your wine
Old wholesome Goban had no say;
The moral's yours because it's mine.
When cups went round at close of day --
Is not that how good stories run? --
The gods were sitting at the board
In their great house at Slievenamon.
They sang a drowsy song, Or snored,
For all were full of wine and meat.
The smoky torches made a glare
On metal Goban 'd hammered at,
On old deep silver rolling there
Or on somc still unemptied cup
That he, when frenzy stirred his thews,
Had hammered out on mountain top
To hold the sacred stuff he brews
That only gods may buy of him.
Now from that juice that made them wise
All those had lifted up the dim
Imaginations of their eyes,
For one that was like woman made
Before their sleepy eyelids ran
And trembling with her passion said,
"Come out and dig for a dead man,
Who's burrowing Somewhere in the ground
And mock him to his face and then
Hollo him on with horse and hound,
For he is the worst of all dead men.'
We should be dazed and terror-struck,
If we but saw in dreams that room,
Those wine-drenched eyes, and curse our luck
That empticd all our days to come.
I knew a woman none could please,
Because she dreamed when but a child
Of men and women made like these;
And after, when her blood ran wild,
Had ravelled her own story out,
And said, "In two or in three years
I needs must marry some poor lout,'
And having said it, burst in tears.
Since, tavern comrades, you have died,
Maybe your images have stood,
Mere bone and muscle thrown aside,
Before that roomful or as good.
You had to face your ends when young --
'Twas wine or women, or some curse --
But never made a poorer song
That you might have a heavier purse,
Nor gave loud service to a cause
That you might have a troop of friends,
You kept the Muses' sterner laws,
And unrepenting faced your ends,
And therefore earned the right -- and yet
Dowson and Johnson most I praise --
To troop with those the world's forgot,
And copy their proud steady gaze.
"The Danish troop was driven out
Between the dawn and dusk,' she said;
"Although the event was long in doubt.
Although the King of Ireland's dead
And half the kings, before sundown
All was accomplished.
"When this day
Murrough, the King of Ireland's son,
Foot after foot was giving way,
He and his best troops back to back
Had perished there, but the Danes ran,
Stricken with panic from the attack,
The shouting of an unseen man;
And being thankful Murrough found,
Led by a footsole dipped in blood
That had made prints upon the ground,
Where by old thorn-trees that man stood;
And though when he gazed here and there,
He had but gazed on thorn-trees, spoke,
"Who is the friend that seems but air
And yet could give so fine a stroke?"
Thereon a young man met his eye,
Who said, "Because she held me in
Her love, and would not have me die,
Rock-nurtured Aoife took a pin,
And pushing it into my shirt,
Promised that for a pin's sake
No man should see to do me hurt;
But there it's gone; I will not take
The fortune that had been my shame
Seeing, King's son, what wounds you have.--
'Twas roundly spoke, but when night came
He had betrayed me to his grave,
For he and the King's son were dead.
I'd promised him two hundred years,
And when for all I'd done or said --
And these immortal eyes shed tears --
He claimed his country's need was most,
I'd saved his life, yet for the sake
Of a new friend he has turned a ghost.
What does he cate if my heart break?
I call for spade and horse and hound
That we may harry him.' Thereon
She cast herself upon the ground
And rent her clothes and made her moan:
"Why are they faithless when their might
Is from the holy shades that rove
The grey rock and the windy light?
Why should the faithfullest heart most love
The bitter sweetness of false faces?
Why must the lasting love what passes,
Why are the gods by men betrayed?'
But thereon every god stood up
With a slow smile and without sound,
And Stretching forth his arm and cup
To where she moaned upon the ground,
Suddenly drenched her to the skin;
And she with Goban's wine adrip,
No more remembering what had been.
Stared at the gods with laughing lip.
I have kept my faith, though faith was tried,
To that rock-born, rock-wandering foot,
And thc world's altered since you died,
And I am in no good repute
With the loud host before the sea,
That think sword-strokes were better meant
Than lover's music -- let that be,
So that the wandering foot's content.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Grey Rock: A Literary Gem by W.B. Yeats
As I was reading "The Grey Rock" by William Butler Yeats, I was struck by its depth, its beauty, and its haunting quality. This poem is a true masterpiece of modernist literature, and it captures the essence of Yeats' philosophical and spiritual beliefs. In this essay, I will explore the meaning of "The Grey Rock" and its significance in Yeats' body of work.
Overview of the Poem
"The Grey Rock" is a poem that consists of five stanzas, each containing three lines. The poem opens with the image of a grey rock that is "lonely" and "silent." The second stanza describes the "streams" that flow around the rock, while the third stanza introduces the idea of "dreams" that come and go like the streams. The fourth stanza speaks of the "great gold apples" that grow in the "orchards beyond the streams," and the fifth and final stanza concludes with the idea that the grey rock is a symbol of "eternal things" that lie beyond the mundane world.
The Meaning of the Grey Rock
At first glance, the grey rock may seem like a simple object in the landscape. However, Yeats uses the rock as a symbol of something much deeper and more profound. The rock represents the eternal and unchanging aspect of the universe, which is indifferent to the passing of time and the struggles of human beings. The rock is "lonely" and "silent" because it exists in its own world, separate from the chaos of human existence.
The streams that flow around the rock represent the passage of time and the fleeting nature of human life. The streams come and go, just as dreams do, and they are constantly changing. However, the rock remains the same, a constant reminder of the eternal nature of the universe.
The "great gold apples" that grow in the orchards beyond the streams represent the joys and pleasures of life, the things that people strive for and desire. However, these things are ultimately fleeting and transitory, like the streams and the dreams. The grey rock, on the other hand, represents something that is permanent and unchanging, something that exists beyond the realm of human desires and ambitions.
The Symbolism of the Grey Rock
Yeats uses the grey rock as a symbol of something that is beyond the reach of human understanding. The rock is "lonely" and "silent" because it exists in a realm that is beyond human experience. However, this does not mean that the rock is meaningless or irrelevant. On the contrary, the rock is a symbol of the eternal and unchanging aspect of the universe, which is essential to our understanding of the world.
The streams that flow around the rock represent the passage of time and the fleeting nature of human existence. The streams come and go, just as dreams do, and they are constantly changing. However, the rock remains the same, a constant reminder of the eternal nature of the universe.
The "great gold apples" that grow in the orchards beyond the streams represent the joys and pleasures of life, the things that people strive for and desire. However, these things are ultimately fleeting and transitory, like the streams and the dreams. The grey rock, on the other hand, represents something that is permanent and unchanging, something that exists beyond the realm of human desires and ambitions.
The Philosophical Implications of the Grey Rock
Yeats was a deeply philosophical thinker, and his poetry often reflects his interest in the big questions of life. "The Grey Rock" is no exception, and it raises some important questions about the nature of reality and our place in the world.
One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of permanence versus transience. The grey rock represents something that is permanent and unchanging, while the streams and the dreams represent the transitory nature of human existence. The poem suggests that there is something beyond the fleeting pleasures of life, something that is eternal and enduring.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of detachment. The grey rock is "lonely" and "silent," existing in a world that is separate from the chaos of human existence. This suggests that there is something to be gained from detaching ourselves from the world and seeking a deeper understanding of reality.
Conclusion
"The Grey Rock" is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of Yeats' philosophical and spiritual beliefs. The poem uses the symbol of the grey rock to explore the themes of permanence, transience, and detachment. It suggests that there is something beyond the fleeting pleasures of life, something that is eternal and enduring. This poem is a true masterpiece of modernist literature, and it deserves a place among the greatest works of poetry of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Grey Rock by William Butler Yeats is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery, and it speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that are present in the poem, and we will examine how Yeats uses language and imagery to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a grey rock that is situated in the middle of a stream. The rock is described as being "lonely" and "cold," and it is said to be "unloved" and "unnoticed." This image of the rock sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is going to explore themes of isolation and loneliness.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe the various creatures that inhabit the stream. He describes the "trout" that swim in the water, and the "water-rats" that scurry along the banks. He also describes the "kingfisher" that perches on a branch above the stream. These descriptions serve to create a vivid picture of the natural world, and they also suggest that the speaker is interested in exploring the relationship between humans and nature.
The speaker then goes on to describe a group of people who are walking along the banks of the stream. He describes them as being "happy" and "carefree," and he suggests that they are oblivious to the beauty of the natural world around them. This image of the people serves to contrast with the image of the rock, which is described as being lonely and unloved. It also suggests that the speaker is interested in exploring the theme of human indifference to nature.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to describe a group of "wise men" who are sitting on a hill overlooking the stream. These wise men are described as being "grey-haired" and "grave," and they are said to be "pondering" the mysteries of the universe. This image of the wise men serves to create a sense of reverence and respect, and it suggests that the speaker is interested in exploring the theme of wisdom and knowledge.
As the poem comes to a close, the speaker returns to the image of the grey rock. He suggests that the rock is "wise" and "patient," and he implies that it has a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe than any of the humans who inhabit the world. This image of the rock serves to create a sense of awe and wonder, and it suggests that the speaker is interested in exploring the theme of the transcendent.
Overall, The Grey Rock is a poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery. It explores themes of isolation, loneliness, human indifference to nature, wisdom, and the transcendent. Yeats uses language and imagery to create a vivid picture of the natural world, and he suggests that there is a deeper meaning to the universe that humans are not capable of fully understanding. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex ideas and emotions, and it is a classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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