'Ave Imperatrix' by Oscar Wilde
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Set in this stormy Northern sea,
Queen of these restless fields of tide,
England! what shall men say of thee,
Before whose feet the worlds divide?
The earth, a brittle globe of glass,
Lies in the hollow of thy hand,
And through its heart of crystal pass,
Like shadows through a twilight land,
The spears of crimson-suited war,
The long white-crested waves of fight,
And all the deadly fires which are
The torches of the lords of Night.
The yellow leopards, strained and lean,
The treacherous Russian knows so well,
With gaping blackened jaws are seen
Leap through the hail of screaming shell.
The strong sea-lion of England's wars
Hath left his sapphire cave of sea,
To battle with the storm that mars
The star of England's chivalry.
The brazen-throated clarion blows
Across the Pathan's reedy fen,
And the high steeps of Indian snows
Shake to the tread of armèd men.
And many an Afghan chief, who lies
Beneath his cool pomegranate-trees,
Clutches his sword in fierce surmise
When on the mountain-side he sees
The fleet-foot Marri scout, who comes
To tell how he hath heard afar
The measured roll of English drums
Beat at the gates of Kandahar.
For southern wind and east wind meet
Where, girt and crowned by sword and fire,
England with bare and bloody feet
Climbs the steep road of wide empire.
O lonely Himalayan height,
Grey pillar of the Indian sky,
Where saw'st thou last in clanging fight
Our wingèd dogs of Victory?
The almond groves of Samarcand,
Bokhara, where red lilies blow,
And Oxus, by whose yellow sand
The grave white-turbaned merchants go:
And on from thence to Ispahan,
The gilded garden of the sun,
Whence the long dusty caravan
Brings cedar and vermilion;
And that dread city of Cabool
Set at the mountain's scarpèd feet,
Whose marble tanks are ever full
With water for the noonday heat:
Where through the narrow straight Bazaar
A little maid Circassian
Is led, a present from the Czar
Unto some old and bearded khan,--
Here have our wild war-eagles flown,
And flapped wide wings in fiery fight;
But the sad dove, that sits alone
In England--she hath no delight.
In vain the laughing girl will lean
To greet her love with love-lit eyes:
Down in some treacherous black ravine,
Clutching his flag, the dead boy lies.
And many a moon and sun will see
The lingering wistful children wait
To climb upon their father's knee;
And in each house made desolate
Pale women who have lost their lord
Will kiss the relics of the slain--
Some tarnished epaulette--some sword--
Poor toys to soothe such anguished pain.
For not in quiet English fields
Are these, our brothers, lain to rest,
Where we might deck their broken shields
With all the flowers the dead love best.
For some are by the Delhi walls,
And many in the Afghan land,
And many where the Ganges falls
Through seven mouths of shifting sand.
And some in Russian waters lie,
And others in the seas which are
The portals to the East, or by
The wind-swept heights of Trafalgar.
O wandering graves! O restless sleep!
O silence of the sunless day!
O still ravine! O stormy deep!
Give up your prey! Give up your prey!
And thou whose wounds are never healed,
Whose weary race is never won,
O Cromwell's England! must thou yield
For every inch of ground a son?
Go! crown with thorns thy gold-crowned head,
Change thy glad song to song of pain;
Wind and wild wave have got thy dead,
And will not yield them back again.
Wave and wild wind and foreign shore
Possess the flower of English land--
Lips that thy lips shall kiss no more,
Hands that shall never clasp thy hand.
What profit now that we have bound
The whole round world with nets of gold,
If hidden in our heart is found
The care that groweth never old?
What profit that our galleys ride,
Pine-forest-like, on every main?
Ruin and wreck are at our side,
Grim warders of the House of pain.
Where are the brave, the strong, the fleet?
Where is our English chivalry?
Wild grasses are their burial-sheet,
And sobbing waves their threnody.
O loved ones lying far away,
What word of love can dead lips send!
O wasted dust! O senseless clay!
Is this the end! is this the end!
Peace, peace! we wrong the noble dead
To vex their solemn slumber so;
Though childless, and with thorn-crowned head,
Up the steep road must England go,
Yet when this fiery web is spun,
Her watchmen shall descry from far
The young Republic like a sun
Rise from these crimson seas of war.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ave Imperatrix by Oscar Wilde: An Exploration of Power and Imperialism
Oh, what a magnificent piece of poetry Ave Imperatrix is! Written by the brilliant Oscar Wilde, this poem is a masterpiece of its time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes and motifs presented in this classic poem and explore their relevance to the contemporary world.
Summary
Ave Imperatrix, which translates to "Hail, Empress," is a poem that celebrates the power and might of the British Empire. It was written in 1881, during the height of the Victorian era, when Britain was at the forefront of global imperialism. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which is dedicated to a different aspect of imperial power.
The first section is titled "To the Queen," and it pays homage to Queen Victoria, who was the reigning monarch at the time. The speaker of the poem addresses the Queen as the "guardian of the Red, White, and Blue," and praises her for her "mighty arm." The language used in this section is highly patriotic and emotive, conveying a sense of reverence for the Queen and the power she represents.
The second section, titled "To the Army in Asia," is addressed to the soldiers who were fighting on behalf of the Empire in Asia. In this section, the speaker extols the bravery and courage of the soldiers, who are described as "bold warriors." The language used in this section is more militaristic and aggressive, reflecting the violence and brutality of imperialism.
The final section, titled "To the Colonies," is addressed to the people living in the British colonies around the world. The speaker of the poem praises the colonists for their loyalty to the Empire and their willingness to fight for it. However, there is a note of warning in this section, as the speaker reminds the colonists that they are not equal to their British counterparts and must accept their place as subjects of the Empire.
Themes and Motifs
One of the central themes of Ave Imperatrix is power. The poem celebrates the power of the British Empire and those who wield it, from the Queen to the soldiers to the colonists. However, there is also a sense of fear and insecurity underlying this celebration of power. The speaker of the poem seems to be aware that the Empire's power is not invincible and that it must be constantly reinforced through violence and subjugation.
Another important theme in the poem is imperialism. The poem presents imperialism as a noble and just enterprise, with the British Empire portrayed as a force for good in the world. However, there is also a sense of moral ambiguity in the poem. The violence and brutality of imperialism are acknowledged but presented as necessary for the maintenance of power and the spread of civilization.
Throughout the poem, there are several motifs that are used to reinforce these themes. The most prominent of these motifs is the use of military imagery. The soldiers are described as "bold warriors" and "heroes of the fight," and there are numerous references to weapons and battles. This military imagery serves to reinforce the idea that power is achieved through violence and that the Empire's might depends on its armies.
Another important motif in the poem is the use of religious language. The title, "Ave Imperatrix," is a clear reference to the Catholic prayer "Ave Maria," and the language used throughout the poem is heavily influenced by Christian imagery. The Queen is described as a "guardian" and a "saint," and there are numerous references to God and divine providence. This religious language serves to reinforce the idea that the British Empire is not just a political entity but a moral and spiritual force in the world.
Interpretation
At first glance, Ave Imperatrix might seem like a straightforward celebration of British imperialism. However, a closer examination of the poem reveals a more complex and nuanced message.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of imperialism disguised as a celebration. The language used in the poem is highly emotive and patriotic, but there are also subtle hints that all is not well with the Empire. The speaker's repeated references to violence and warfare suggest that the Empire's power is built on a foundation of blood and suffering. The warnings to the colonists that they must accept their inferior status also suggest that the Empire's power is not based on equality or justice.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of Wilde's own ambivalent attitude towards imperialism. Wilde was a complex figure who was both attracted to and repulsed by the power and glamour of the British Empire. He was a staunch advocate of aestheticism, which was a movement that rejected the moral and social values of Victorian society. However, he was also a product of that society and saw the Empire as an embodiment of its values.
In this interpretation, Ave Imperatrix can be seen as a reflection of Wilde's conflicted feelings towards imperialism. On the one hand, he is attracted to the power and grandeur of the British Empire, as reflected in the poem's patriotic language and celebration of military might. On the other hand, he is repulsed by the violence and brutality that underpins that power, as reflected in the poem's references to subjugation and inequality.
Conclusion
Ave Imperatrix is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of power and imperialism. Through its use of emotive language, military imagery, and religious motifs, the poem celebrates the might of the British Empire while also acknowledging the violence and brutality that underpins that power. However, the poem also contains subtle hints that all is not well with the Empire and that its power is built on a foundation of inequality and subjugation.
As we continue to grapple with the legacy of imperialism in our contemporary world, the themes and motifs of Ave Imperatrix remain as relevant as ever. This poem reminds us that power is never absolute and that the pursuit of power can lead to great suffering and injustice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Ave Imperatrix: A Masterpiece of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde, a renowned Irish poet, playwright, and novelist, is known for his wit, humor, and satire. His works are a reflection of his life experiences, his beliefs, and his observations of the society he lived in. One of his most celebrated poems is "Ave Imperatrix," which was written in 1881. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Wilde's exceptional talent for poetry and his ability to convey complex ideas through simple yet powerful words.
The poem "Ave Imperatrix" is a tribute to Queen Victoria, who was the reigning monarch of the British Empire at the time. The title of the poem translates to "Hail, Empress," which is a traditional greeting used to address a monarch. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct theme and tone.
The first stanza of the poem is a celebration of the British Empire and its achievements. Wilde uses vivid imagery to describe the power and glory of the Empire. He talks about the "mighty fleets" and the "thunder of the guns," which are a testament to the military might of the Empire. He also mentions the "wealth of all the lands," which is a reference to the economic prosperity of the Empire. The tone of this stanza is one of pride and admiration for the Empire.
The second stanza of the poem takes a different tone. Wilde shifts his focus from the Empire to the Queen herself. He talks about her "gracious smile" and her "gentle hand," which are a reflection of her kindness and compassion. He also mentions her "sceptred sway," which is a reference to her power and authority as the monarch. The tone of this stanza is one of reverence and admiration for the Queen.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Wilde urges the Queen to use her power and influence to bring about positive change in the world. He talks about the "captive lands" and the "sorrowful cries" of the oppressed, which are a reminder of the suffering that exists in the world. He implores the Queen to use her power to "bind the broken-hearted" and to "heal the wounds of war." The tone of this stanza is one of hope and optimism for a better future.
The poem "Ave Imperatrix" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Wilde's exceptional talent for language and imagery. The poem is a celebration of the British Empire and its achievements, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with power and influence. Wilde's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of awe and admiration for the Empire and the Queen, but it also inspires a sense of hope and optimism for a better future.
In conclusion, "Ave Imperatrix" is a timeless masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Wilde's ability to convey complex ideas through simple yet powerful words is a testament to his exceptional talent as a poet. The poem is a celebration of the British Empire and its achievements, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with power and influence. Wilde's message of hope and optimism for a better future is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written.
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