'Recollection of the Arabian Nights' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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WHEN the breeze of a joyful dawn blew free
In the silken sail of infancy,
The tide of time flow'd back with me,
The forward-flowing tide of time;
And many a sheeny summer-morn,
Adown the Tigris I was borne,
By Bagdat's shrines of fretted gold,
High-walled gardens green and old;
True Mussulman was I and sworn,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Anight my shallop, rustling thro'
The low and bloomed foliage, drove
The fragrant, glistening deeps, and clove
The citron-shadows in the blue:
By garden porches on the brim,
The costly doors flung open wide,
Gold glittering thro' lamplight dim,
And broider'd sofas on each side:
In sooth it was a goodly time,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Often where clear-stemm'd platans guard
The outlet, did I turn away
The boat-head down a broad canal
From the main river sluiced, where all
The sloping of the moon-lit sward
Was damask-work, and deep inlay
Of braided blooms unmown, which crept
Adown to where the water slept.
A goodly place, a goodly time,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
A motion from the river won
Ridged the smooth level, bearing on
My shallop thro' the star-strown calm,
Until another night in night
I enter'd, from the clearer light,
Imbower'd vaults of pillar'd palm,
Imprisoning sweets, which, as they clomb
Heavenward, were stay'd beneath the dome
Of hollow boughs.--A goodly time,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Still onward; and the clear canal
Is rounded to as clear a lake.
From the green rivage many a fall
Of diamond rillets musical,
Thro' little crystal arches low
Down from the central fountain's flow
Fall'n silver-chiming, seemed to shake
The sparkling flints beneath the prow.
A goodly place, a goodly time,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Above thro' many a bowery turn
A walk with vary-colour'd shells
Wander'd engrain'd.On either side
All round about the fragrant marge
From fluted vase, and brazen urn
In order, eastern flowers large,
Some dropping low their crimson bells
Half-closed, and others studded wide
With disks and tiars, fed the time
With odour in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Far off, and where the lemon grove
In closest coverture upsprung,
The living airs of middle night
Died round the bulbul as he sung;
Not he: but something which possess'd
The darkness of the world, delight,
Life, anguish, death, immortal love,
Ceasing not, mingled, unrepress'd,
Apart from place, withholding time,
But flattering the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Black the garden-bowers and grots
Slumber'd: the solemn palms were ranged
Above, unwoo'd of summer wind:
A sudden splendour from behind
Flush'd all the leaves with rich gold-green,
And, flowing rapidly between
Their interspaces, counterchanged
The level lake with diamond-plots
Of dark and bright. A lovely time,
For it was in the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Dark-blue the deep sphere overhead,
Distinct with vivid stars inlaid,
Grew darker from that under-flame:
So, leaping lightly from the boat,
With silver anchor left afloat,
In marvel whence that glory came
Upon me, as in sleep I sank
In cool soft turf upon the bank,
Entranced with that place and time,
So worthy of the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Thence thro' the garden I was drawn--
A realm of pleasance, many a mound,
And many a shadow-chequer'd lawn
Full of the city's stilly sound,
And deep myrrh-thickets blowing round
The stately cedar, tamarisks,
Thick rosaries of scented thorn,
Tall orient shrubs, and obelisks
Graven with emblems of the time,
In honour of the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
With dazed vision unawares
From the long alley's latticed shade
Emerged, I came upon the great
Pavilion of the Caliphat.
Right to the carven cedarn doors,
Flung inward over spangled floors,
Broad-based flights of marble stairs
Ran up with golden balustrade,
After the fashion of the time,
And humour of the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
The fourscore windows all alight
As with the quintessence of flame,
A million tapers flaring bright
From twisted silvers look'd to shame
The hollow-vaulted dark, and stream'd
Upon the mooned domes aloof
In inmost Bagdat, till there seem'd
Hundreds of crescents on the roof
Of night new-risen, that marvellous time
To celebrate the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Then stole I up, and trancedly
Gazed on the Persian girl alone,
Serene with argent-lidded eyes
Amorous, and lashes like to rays
Of darkness, and a brow of pearl
Tressed with redolent ebony,
In many a dark delicious curl,
Flowing beneath her rose-hued zone;
The sweetest lady of the time,
Well worthy of the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Six columns, three on either side,
Pure silver, underpropt a rich
Throne of the massive ore, from which
Down-droop'd, in many a floating fold,
Engarlanded and diaper'd
With inwrought flowers, a cloth of gold.
Thereon, his deep eye laughter-stirr'd
With merriment of kingly pride,
Sole star of all that place and time,
I saw him--in his golden prime,
The good Haroun Alraschid.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Recollection of the Arabian Nights: A Literary Masterpiece by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to another world, an exotic and magical place filled with tales of adventure and romance? That is exactly what Recollection of the Arabian Nights does to its readers. Written by the legendary poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, this poem is a stunning masterpiece that captures the essence of the Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales that have captivated audiences for centuries.
At 4000 words, Recollection of the Arabian Nights is a long and ambitious poem, but it is also one of Tennyson's most beautiful and evocative works. It tells the story of a narrator who recalls the stories of the Arabian Nights, and is transported to a world of opulence and wonder. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which explores different aspects of the Arabian Nights.
Section One: The Magic and Mystery of the Arabian Nights
The first section of Recollection of the Arabian Nights sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Tennyson begins by describing the beautiful and exotic setting of the Arabian Nights, with its "sandal-wood, ivory, and gold" and "spicy winds" that blow across the desert. He paints a picture of a place that is both strange and alluring, a place where anything can happen.
As the narrator recalls the stories of the Arabian Nights, he is swept away by their magic and mystery. He hears tales of genies and flying carpets, of princesses and thieves, of love and betrayal. Tennyson's language is rich and vivid, and he uses vivid imagery to bring these stories to life. For example:
“The Tigris and Euphrates roll Along the desert's burning shoal The vision of the Golden Fleece Has danced before us, and the peace Of Solomon, his God-begotten Levins, and his ships of Tarshish, Among the Hesperides, And the gardens of the daughters of Alcinous.”
In these lines, Tennyson paints a picture of the Arabian Nights that is both vivid and enchanting. He conjures up images of ancient rivers, magical treasures, and exotic gardens, all of which transport the reader to a world of wonder and adventure.
Section Two: Love and Romance in the Arabian Nights
The second section of Recollection of the Arabian Nights explores the themes of love and romance that are so central to the tales of the Arabian Nights. Tennyson describes the passion and desire that are woven into these stories, and the way in which they capture the imagination of the reader.
He writes:
“But, lo! from hill and stream and wood, The answering echoes cried 'To good!' 'To good!' the lark sang shrill, 'And all The world is bright, and love is all, And all is well that ends in love, And the love of man and maid is of Heaven—and now, from shady bowers, And sunlit hills and fields of flowers, And valleys where great rivers run, The revelry of Love begun!'"
In these lines, Tennyson captures the essence of the Arabian Nights, and the way in which they celebrate the power of love and romance. He describes the joy and happiness that love brings, and the way in which it transforms the lives of the characters in these stories.
Section Three: The Dark Side of the Arabian Nights
The third section of Recollection of the Arabian Nights explores the darker side of the tales, and the way in which they deal with themes of violence, betrayal, and death. Tennyson describes the way in which these stories can be both beautiful and terrifying, and how they capture the full range of human emotions.
He writes:
"And then the dream and then the swoon, And then the wakening to the moon, And all the world again is new, Beneath the heaven so broad and blue, And all the world again is young, Again is heard the linnet's song, And through the woods again is seen The glowing primrose, and the green And gold of morning in the May, And dew-drops on the hedgerow spray."
These lines capture the way in which the Arabian Nights can be both beautiful and terrifying. They describe the way in which the stories can transport the reader to a world of wonder and magic, only to bring them crashing down with tales of violence and betrayal.
Section Four: The Enduring Legacy of the Arabian Nights
The final section of Recollection of the Arabian Nights explores the enduring legacy of these tales, and the way in which they continue to captivate audiences today. Tennyson reflects on the power of storytelling, and the way in which it can transport us to other worlds and other times.
He writes:
"For still the story-teller's art Is loved by young and old; Still, in our age, the human heart Strives after power untold."
These lines capture the way in which the Arabian Nights continue to captivate audiences today, and the enduring power of storytelling. Tennyson celebrates the way in which these tales have the ability to transport us to other worlds and other times, and the way in which they continue to inspire and enchant us.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Recollection of the Arabian Nights is a stunning masterpiece of poetry, and a testament to Tennyson's skill as a writer. It captures the essence of the Arabian Nights, with its tales of magic and wonder, love and romance, violence and betrayal. Tennyson's language is rich and evocative, and he uses vivid imagery to bring these stories to life.
At 4000 words, Recollection of the Arabian Nights is a long and ambitious poem, but it is also one of Tennyson's most beautiful and evocative works. It is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, and the way in which it can transport us to other worlds and other times. If you have not yet read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so – it is a true masterpiece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Arabian Nights is a collection of tales that has fascinated readers for centuries. The stories are full of magic, adventure, and romance, and they have inspired countless works of literature, art, and film. One of the most famous adaptations of the Arabian Nights is the poem "Recollections of the Arabian Nights" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of Tennyson's poem and discuss why it continues to captivate readers today.
The poem "Recollections of the Arabian Nights" was first published in 1830 as part of Tennyson's collection Poems, Chiefly Lyrical. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different scene from the Arabian Nights. The first stanza describes the story of Aladdin and the magic lamp, the second stanza describes the story of Ali Baba and the forty thieves, and the third stanza describes the story of Sinbad the Sailor.
One of the most striking features of Tennyson's poem is its vivid imagery. Tennyson uses rich, descriptive language to bring the stories of the Arabian Nights to life. For example, in the first stanza, Tennyson describes the "diamonds and pearls" that "gleam like the tears of the moon" in Aladdin's palace. This image creates a sense of wonder and enchantment, and it captures the opulence and grandeur of Aladdin's world.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Tennyson describes the "caverns of gold" and the "treasures untold" that Ali Baba discovers in the thieves' den. This image creates a sense of danger and excitement, and it captures the thrill of adventure that is at the heart of the Arabian Nights.
In the third stanza, Tennyson describes the "sea of the Indian night" and the "stars that pave the Milky Way." This image creates a sense of vastness and mystery, and it captures the sense of awe and wonder that Sinbad experiences as he sails across the ocean.
Another important feature of Tennyson's poem is its use of language. Tennyson's language is rich and musical, and it creates a sense of rhythm and flow that is reminiscent of the tales of the Arabian Nights themselves. For example, in the first stanza, Tennyson uses alliteration to create a sense of repetition and rhythm:
"O the gleaming lamps of gold, Fair hall of love, and feast, and dance, And music's voice, and lute's sweet sound, And the blithe laugh, and the gay glance, Steal in the magic ear of night With all their gladness and delight."
This passage creates a sense of joy and celebration, and it captures the sense of wonder and enchantment that is at the heart of the Arabian Nights.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Tennyson uses repetition to create a sense of urgency and excitement:
"Open sesame! and all is said, And golden fruits are gleaming red; The robber bands are scattered and fled In the caverns of the dead."
This passage creates a sense of danger and adventure, and it captures the sense of excitement and suspense that is at the heart of the Arabian Nights.
In the third stanza, Tennyson uses metaphor to create a sense of mystery and wonder:
"O the wild clanging of the bells, The echoes, the dizzy spells, The hymn that floats and sinks and swells In the midnight's dreamy cells!"
This passage creates a sense of awe and wonder, and it captures the sense of mystery and magic that is at the heart of the Arabian Nights.
One of the most important themes of Tennyson's poem is the power of storytelling. The Arabian Nights is a collection of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, and Tennyson's poem celebrates the enduring power of these tales. Tennyson's poem is itself a kind of storytelling, and it captures the sense of wonder and enchantment that is at the heart of the Arabian Nights.
Another important theme of Tennyson's poem is the power of imagination. The Arabian Nights is a collection of stories that are full of magic and wonder, and Tennyson's poem celebrates the power of the human imagination to create worlds of enchantment and adventure. Tennyson's poem encourages readers to use their imaginations to explore the world of the Arabian Nights and to discover the magic and wonder that lies within.
In conclusion, Tennyson's poem "Recollections of the Arabian Nights" is a beautiful and enchanting tribute to the enduring power of the tales of the Arabian Nights. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful themes, Tennyson captures the sense of wonder and enchantment that is at the heart of these stories. Tennyson's poem encourages readers to use their imaginations to explore the world of the Arabian Nights and to discover the magic and wonder that lies within.
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