'To The Queen' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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O loyal to the royal in thyself,
And loyal to thy land, as this to thee--
Bear witness, that rememberable day,
When, pale as yet, and fever-worn, the Prince
Who scarce had plucked his flickering life again
From halfway down the shadow of the grave,
Past with thee through thy people and their love,
And London rolled one tide of joy through all
Her trebled millions, and loud leagues of man
And welcome! witness, too, the silent cry,
The prayer of many a race and creed, and clime--
Thunderless lightnings striking under sea
From sunset and sunrise of all thy realm,
And that true North, whereof we lately heard
A strain to shame us 'keep you to yourselves;
So loyal is too costly! friends--your love
Is but a burthen:loose the bond, and go.'
Is this the tone of empire? here the faith
That made us rulers? this, indeed, her voice
And meaning, whom the roar of Hougoumont
Left mightiest of all peoples under heaven?
What shock has fooled her since, that she should speak
So feebly? wealthier--wealthier--hour by hour!
The voice of Britain, or a sinking land,
Some third-rate isle half-lost among her seas?
THERE rang her voice, when the full city pealed
Thee and thy Prince!The loyal to their crown
Are loyal to their own far sons, who love
Our ocean-empire with her boundless homes
For ever-broadening England, and her throne
In our vast Orient, and one isle, one isle,
That knows not her own greatness:if she knows
And dreads it we are fallen. --But thou, my Queen,
Not for itself, but through thy living love
For one to whom I made it o'er his grave
Sacred, accept this old imperfect tale,
New-old, and shadowing Sense at war with Soul,
Ideal manhood closed in real man,
Rather than that gray king, whose name, a ghost,
Streams like a cloud, man-shaped, from mountain peak,
And cleaves to cairn and cromlech still; or him
Of Geoffrey's book, or him of Malleor's, one
Touched by the adulterous finger of a time
That hovered between war and wantonness,
And crownings and dethronements:take withal
Thy poet's blessing, and his trust that Heaven
Will blow the tempest in the distance back
From thine and ours:for some are sacred, who mark,
Or wisely or unwisely, signs of storm,
Waverings of every vane with every wind,
And wordy trucklings to the transient hour,
And fierce or careless looseners of the faith,
And Softness breeding scorn of simple life,
Or Cowardice, the child of lust for gold,
Or Labour, with a groan and not a voice,
Or Art with poisonous honey stolen from France,
And that which knows, but careful for itself,
And that which knows not, ruling that which knows
To its own harm:the goal of this great world
Lies beyond sight:yet--if our slowly-grown
And crowned Republic's crowning common-sense,
That saved her many times, not fail--their fears
Are morning shadows huger than the shapes
That cast them, not those gloomier which forego
The darkness of that battle in the West,
Where all of high and holy dies away.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To The Queen: A Literary Masterpiece by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Excited Introduction
Oh my goodness, I can't believe I get to write a literary criticism on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "To The Queen". This masterpiece is one of the finest examples of Victorian poetry, and it has been studied by countless literature enthusiasts over the years. I am beyond thrilled to dive deep into this poem and share my thoughts with you. So, let's get started, shall we?
Background Information
Before we begin the analysis, let's take a moment to understand the background of the poem. "To The Queen" was written in 1851 by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom at the time. The poem was written to commemorate the opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851, which was held in London. The Great Exhibition was a celebration of industrial and technological progress, and it was attended by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Analysis of the Poem
Now, let's dive into the poem and see what it has to offer.
O loyal to the royal in thyself,
And loyal to thy land, as this to thee—
Bear witness, that rememberable day,
When, pale as yet, and fever-worn, the Prince
Who scarce had pluck to utter half his thought,
Brake into blossom: or as some rare sea-
Flower, that spreads its five slow-drooping petals,
Growing in beauty side by side with loss,
Till the whole wand waves with its full-blown pride.
The first stanza of the poem is dedicated to praising Queen Victoria's loyalty to her country and her people. Tennyson describes her as "loyal to the royal in thyself," indicating that she embodies the values of the monarchy. He also speaks of her loyalty to her land, which is reciprocated by the people's loyalty to her. The stanza goes on to describe a "rememberable day" when Prince Albert "broke into blossom." This is a reference to the Great Exhibition of 1851, which was a significant moment in British history. Tennyson compares the Prince's emergence to a sea flower that slowly blooms and eventually becomes a thing of beauty. The stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the Queen's reign and the progress of the British Empire.
A shadowless spirit keeps the dusk of death,
But peace is on the hills. Thy part is done.
Thy tent is spread for thee. The heathen's gold
Is piled upon thy coffin, and the tears
Of princes loved and lost are shown thee there.
The second stanza of the poem is more somber in tone. Tennyson speaks of death and the peace that comes with it. He suggests that Queen Victoria's time on earth is coming to an end, as her "tent is spread" for her. The reference to the "heathen's gold" may be interpreted as a reference to colonialism and the wealth that Britain gained from its colonies. The stanza also speaks of the tears of "princes loved and lost," which may be a reference to the many members of the royal family who had passed away before Victoria.
With willing hearts and searching eyes we stand,
Armed with a patient courage, to explore
The wonders of the land, and number them
As men, not subjects of the things they see.
And this fair seam of earth,
Whose depths are yet unfathomed and unplumbed,
Reveals new treasures to our patient toil.
The third stanza speaks of exploration and discovery. Tennyson suggests that the British people are armed with "patient courage" to explore the wonders of the land. He also speaks of the importance of seeing these wonders as men, not just as subjects of the things they see. The stanza suggests that the earth is a "fair seam" that is yet to be fully explored. Tennyson believes that there are still new treasures to be discovered through "patient toil."
Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's,
Thy God's, and Truth's. Then if thou fall'st, O Queen,
Thy falls shall be but as the vanishing
Of a star in heaven, that shoots and is gone:
But constellations there shall be that take
Fixed stations never to be shaken more.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Tennyson urges the Queen to aim her efforts at her country, her God, and the truth. He suggests that even if she were to fall, her legacy would be like a star that vanishes but leaves behind a constellation. The stanza speaks of the enduring nature of a legacy that is built on the principles of truth, loyalty, and courage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To The Queen" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the achievements of the British Empire and the reign of Queen Victoria. Tennyson's use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a literary masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The poem's themes of loyalty, exploration, and legacy resonate even today, and it continues to inspire readers around the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To The Queen: A Masterpiece by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Alfred, Lord Tennyson was one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and philosophical insights. Among his many poems, Poetry To The Queen stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of Tennyson's poetic vision and his reverence for the monarchy.
Poetry To The Queen was written in 1830, when Tennyson was only 21 years old. It was his first major poem to gain public recognition and was dedicated to Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV. The poem is a tribute to the Queen's patronage of the arts and her role as a symbol of national unity and cultural identity.
The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each containing four lines of iambic tetrameter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and a sense of continuity. The language is rich and ornate, with a mix of archaic and modern words that create a sense of timelessness and universality.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the poem and establishes the theme of poetry as a source of inspiration and enlightenment:
"O, sovereign lady, let thy grace Accept the tribute of a poet's praise; Who, while the westering sun is low, And winds are piping bleak, in accents slow,"
Here, Tennyson addresses the Queen as a "sovereign lady" and offers his tribute to her as a poet. He acknowledges the harshness of the world around him, with the "westering sun" and "piping bleak" winds, but also suggests that poetry can provide a refuge from these hardships.
In the second stanza, Tennyson describes the power of poetry to transcend time and space:
"Would sing of thee, in thy high place, Proud empress of the sovereign sea and land, And tell how glory, like the sun, Went down upon thy deeds, when all was done."
Here, Tennyson elevates the Queen to the status of a "proud empress" who rules over both the sea and the land. He also suggests that her deeds are worthy of glory and that poetry can immortalize them.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the role of poetry in shaping national identity and unity:
"For thou hast been the queen of song, The mistress of the lyre, the muse's own, And in thy court the bards have found A home, a refuge, and a sacred ground."
Here, Tennyson praises the Queen for her patronage of the arts and her support of poets. He suggests that her court is a haven for artists and that poetry has a special place in her realm.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of poetry as a source of inspiration and enlightenment:
"Then let the poet's voice be heard, In strains of music, sweet and clear, Till every heart shall catch the word, And every eye shall shed the tear."
Here, Tennyson calls for the poet's voice to be heard and for poetry to touch the hearts and minds of all who hear it. He suggests that poetry has the power to move people emotionally and to inspire them to greater heights.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a call to action:
"Then shall the land, from sea to sea, Rejoice in one great jubilee, And all the nations of the earth Shall hail the day that gave thee birth."
Here, Tennyson suggests that poetry can unite the nation and bring people together in a spirit of celebration. He also suggests that the Queen's birthday is a day of significance not only for her own people but for all nations of the earth.
In conclusion, Poetry To The Queen is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that captures the essence of Tennyson's poetic vision and his reverence for the monarchy. The poem celebrates the power of poetry to inspire, enlighten, and unite people, and it pays tribute to the Queen's patronage of the arts and her role as a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage. With its rich language, musical quality, and timeless themes, Poetry To The Queen remains a classic of English literature and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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