'The Lord of Burleigh' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

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IN her ear he whispers gaily,
'If my heart by signs can tell,
Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily,
And I think thou lov'st me well.'
She replies, in accents fainter,
'There is none I love like thee.'
He is but a landscape-painter,
And a village maiden she.
He to lips, that fondly falter,
Presses his without reproof:
Leads her to the village altar,
And they leave her father's roo£
'I can make no marriage present:
Little can I give my wife.
Love will make our cottage pleasant,
And I love thee more than life.'
They by parks and lodges going
See the lordly castles stand:
Summer woods, about them blowing,
Made a murmur in the land.
From deep thought himself he rouses,
Says to her that loves him well,
'Let us see these handsome houses
Where the wealthy nobles dwell.'
So she goes by him attended,
Hears him lovingly converse,
Sees whatever fair and splendid
Lay betwixt his home and hers;
Parks with oak and chestnut shady,
Parks and order'd gardens great,
Ancient homes of lord and lady,
Built for pleasure and for state.
All he shows her makes him dearer:
Evermore she seems to gaze
On that cottage growing nearer,
Where they twain will spend their days.
O but she will love him truly !
He shall have a cheerful home;
She will order all things duly,
When beneath his roof they come.
Thus her heart rejoices greatly,
Till a gateway she discerns
With armorial bearings stately,
And beneath the gate she turns;
Sees a mansion more majestic
Than all those she saw before:
Many a gallant gay domestic
Bows before him at the door.
And they speak in gentle murmur,
When they answer to his call,
While he treads with footstep firmer,
Leading on from hall to hall.
And, while now she wonders blindly,
Nor the meaning can divine,
Proudly turns he round and kindly,
'All of this is mine and thine.'
Here he lives in state and bounty,
Lord of Burleigh, fair and free,
Not a lord in all the county
Is so great a lord as he.
All at once the colour flushes
Her sweet face from brow to chin:
As it were with shame she blushes,
And her spirit changed within.
Then her countenance all over
Pale again as death did prove:
But he clasp'd her like a lover,
And he cheer'd her soul with love.
So she strove against her weakness,
Tho' at times her spirit sank:
Shaped her heart with woman's meekness
To all duties of her rank:
And a gentle consort made he,
And her gentle mind was such
That she grew a noble lady,
And the people loved her much.
But a trouble weigh'd upon her,
And perplex'd her, night and morn,
With the burthen of an honour
Unto which she was not born.
Faint she grew, and ever fainter,
And she murmur'd, 'Oh, that he
Were once more that landscape-painter,
Which did win my heart from me!'
So she droop'd and droop'd before him,
Fading slowly from his side:
Three fair children first she bore him,
Then before her time she died.
Weeping, weeping late and early,
Walking up and pacing down,
Deeply mourn'd the Lord of Burleigh,
Burleigh-house by Stamford-town.
And he came to look upon her,
And he look'd at her and said,
'Bring the dress and put it on her,
That she wore when she was wed.'
Then her people, softly treading,
Bore to earth her body, drest
In the dress that she was wed in,
That her spirit might have rest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Lord of Burleigh: A Masterpiece of Poetic Narrative

When it comes to Victorian poetry, Alfred, Lord Tennyson is certainly one of the most iconic names. His works are known for their lyricism, emotional depth, and timeless themes. Among his many poems, "The Lord of Burleigh" stands out as a masterpiece of poetic narrative.

Written in 1842, "The Lord of Burleigh" tells the story of a nobleman who sacrifices his own happiness for the sake of his duty and his people. The poem is divided into six parts or "cantos," each of which follows a specific stage in the protagonist's life. From his youthful love and ambition to his melancholic old age, we witness the Lord's journey of self-discovery and self-denial.

What makes "The Lord of Burleigh" so powerful is not only its plot but also its form and language. Tennyson uses a variety of poetic devices to create a rich, musical, and visual experience that engages the reader's senses and emotions. In this literary criticism, we will explore some of the key aspects of the poem and their significance.

Form and Structure

One of the first things that strike the reader about "The Lord of Burleigh" is its formal structure. The poem consists of six cantos, each of which has a different rhyme scheme and meter. The first and fifth cantos follow a ballad form, with four-line stanzas and an ABAB rhyme scheme. The second and fourth cantos use a more complex stanza form, consisting of six lines with an ABABCC rhyme scheme. The third and sixth cantos are irregular in form, with varying line lengths and rhyme schemes.

This formal diversity reflects the different stages and moods of the protagonist's life. The ballad form of the first and fifth cantos creates a sense of simplicity and nostalgia, evoking the Lord's youthful dreams and regrets. The more complex stanza form of the second and fourth cantos suggests a more mature and sophisticated perspective, as the Lord reflects on his responsibilities and choices. The irregular form of the third and sixth cantos, meanwhile, conveys a sense of fragmentation and despair, as the Lord confronts the consequences of his actions.

Moreover, the use of different meters and rhythms creates a musicality that enhances the emotional impact of the poem. For instance, the second canto has a trochaic meter, with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one, which creates a sense of propulsion and urgency. The fourth canto, in contrast, has a slower and more melancholic rhythm, with long pauses and caesuras that reflect the Lord's contemplative mood.

Language and Imagery

Another striking aspect of "The Lord of Burleigh" is its use of language and imagery. Tennyson employs a rich and evocative vocabulary, ranging from archaic words to vivid metaphors. For instance, in the first canto, he describes the Lord's beloved as "a rosebud set with little wilful thorns," which not only suggests her beauty but also her spirited personality. The use of the verb "set" also implies a deliberate and strategic positioning, foreshadowing the Lord's later decision to marry her for political gain.

Throughout the poem, Tennyson also employs symbolic and allegorical imagery to convey deeper meanings. For instance, the Lord's ancestral castle of Burleigh symbolizes his heritage, his duty, and his isolation. The castle is described as "a place of woe and waste," where "the winds were moaning low," and "the rain and hail were beating hard." This imagery not only creates a gothic and melancholic atmosphere but also suggests the Lord's emotional and spiritual turmoil.

Similarly, the recurring motif of water in the poem serves as a metaphor for the Lord's emotional state. In the first canto, the river that separates the Lord and his beloved represents their class and social differences. In the fifth canto, the river's "slowly gliding tide" signifies the Lord's resignation and acceptance of his fate. In the sixth canto, the stormy sea that the Lord crosses to seek redemption represents his inner turmoil and his ultimate salvation.

Themes and Messages

At its core, "The Lord of Burleigh" is a poem about duty, sacrifice, and redemption. The Lord's story is a tragic one, as he gives up his own happiness and love to fulfill his obligations as a nobleman and a leader. He marries a woman he does not love, raises a son he cannot relate to, and suffers from the weight of his responsibilities. Yet, in the end, he finds a form of redemption through his humility, his compassion, and his faith.

One of the main themes of the poem is the conflict between passion and duty. The Lord's youthful love for his beloved represents his passion and his personal desire. However, he soon realizes that his duty to his people and his heritage is more important than his individual happiness. He chooses to marry another woman for political reasons, even though it breaks his heart and his beloved's. Yet, this sacrifice enables him to become a respected and effective ruler, who puts his people's interests above his own.

Another theme of the poem is the price of power and privilege. The Lord's position as a nobleman and a landowner gives him many advantages, but also many burdens. He is expected to maintain his estate, protect his tenants, and serve his king. He is also isolated from the common people and their struggles. This privilege comes at a cost, as the Lord must sacrifice his own desires and emotions for the sake of his social status and reputation.

Finally, the poem explores the themes of aging, mortality, and legacy. The Lord's journey from youth to old age is marked by a gradual loss of vitality and hope. He becomes increasingly aware of his own mortality and his limited time on earth. He also realizes that his legacy will not be based on his personal achievements, but on his character and his legacy. He seeks redemption in his humility, his repentance, and his faith, hoping to be remembered as a just and compassionate ruler.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Lord of Burleigh" is a true masterpiece of Victorian poetry, combining a powerful narrative with a rich and evocative language. Tennyson's use of different forms, meters, and imagery creates a diverse and dynamic poetic experience that engages the reader's senses and emotions. The poem's themes of duty, sacrifice, and redemption are timeless and universal, resonating with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Indeed, "The Lord of Burleigh" is a testament to Tennyson's skill as a poet and his insight into the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lord of Burleigh: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry

Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among his many famous poems, The Lord of Burleigh stands out as a masterpiece of narrative verse, combining vivid imagery, emotional depth, and a timeless message about the human condition.

The poem tells the story of a young woman named Clara, who falls in love with the Lord of Burleigh, a wealthy nobleman who lives in a grand castle. Despite her humble origins, Clara is determined to win the Lord's heart and become his wife, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness and identity.

The poem opens with a description of Clara's simple life in a rural village, where she spends her days tending to her father's sheep and dreaming of a better life. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a vivid picture of the idyllic countryside, with its "green hills" and "flowery meads" that seem to embody the innocence and purity of Clara's character.

However, Clara's peaceful existence is soon disrupted by the arrival of the Lord of Burleigh, who comes to the village on a hunting trip and is immediately struck by her beauty and grace. Tennyson's portrayal of the Lord is complex and nuanced, revealing both his aristocratic pride and his genuine admiration for Clara's virtues.

As the Lord and Clara begin to spend more time together, their feelings for each other deepen, and Clara becomes increasingly torn between her love for the Lord and her loyalty to her father and her humble origins. Tennyson's use of dramatic irony, where the reader knows more than the characters, adds to the tension and suspense of the story, as we see Clara's fate unfolding before her eyes.

In the poem's climactic scene, the Lord proposes to Clara, offering her a life of luxury and comfort in his castle. However, Clara's response is heartbreaking, as she realizes that she cannot accept his offer without betraying her own identity and values. Tennyson's use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly powerful here, as Clara compares herself to a "wild rose" that cannot thrive in the artificial environment of the Lord's castle.

The poem's final stanza is a poignant reflection on the nature of love and sacrifice, as Tennyson suggests that Clara's decision to reject the Lord's offer was not a sign of weakness or cowardice, but rather a testament to her strength and integrity. The image of Clara's "broken heart" is both tragic and uplifting, as it symbolizes her willingness to endure pain and suffering for the sake of her own dignity and self-respect.

Overall, The Lord of Burleigh is a masterful work of poetry that combines a compelling narrative with rich imagery, complex characters, and profound themes. Tennyson's use of language and structure is both elegant and accessible, making the poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether we see ourselves in Clara's struggle to balance love and duty, or in the Lord's quest for meaning and purpose, The Lord of Burleigh reminds us of the enduring power of human emotions and the importance of staying true to ourselves, even in the face of adversity.

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