'To A Cat' by Algernon Charles Swinburne
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STATELY, kindly, lordly friend,
Condescend
Here to sit by me, and turn
Glorious eyes that smile and burn,
Golden eyes, love's lustrous meed,
On the golden page I read.
All your wondrous wealth of hair,
Dark and fair,
Silken-shaggy, soft and bright
As the clouds and beams of night,
Pays my reverent hand's caress
Back with friendlier gentleness.
Dogs may fawn on all and some
As they come;
You, a friend of loftier mind,
Answer friends alone in kind.
Just your foot upon my hand
Softly bids it understand.
Morning round this silent sweet
Garden-seat
Sheds its wealth of gathering light,
Thrills the gradual clouds with might,
Changes woodland, orchard, heath,
Lawn, and garden there beneath.
Fair and dim they gleamed below:
Now they glow
Deep as even your sunbright eyes,
Fair as even the wakening skies.
Can it not or can it be
Now that you give thanks to see ?
May not you rejoice as I,
Seeing the sky
Change to heaven revealed, and bid
Earth reveal the heaven it hid
All night long from stars and moon,
Now the sun sets all in tune?
What within you wakes with day
Who can say?
All too little may we tell,
Friends who like each other well,
What might haply, if we might,
Bid us read our lives aright.
Wild on woodland ways your sires
Flashed like fires;
Fair as flame and fierce and fleet
As with wings on wingless feet
Shone and sprang your mother, free,
Bright and brave as wind or sea.
Free and proud and glad as they,
Here to-day
Rests or roams their radiant child,
Vanquished not, but reconciled,
Free from curb of aught above
Save the lovely curb of love.
Love through dreams of souls divine
Fain would shine
Round a dawn whose light and song
Then should right our mutual wrong---
Speak, and seal the love-lit law
Sweet Assisi's seer foresaw.
Dreams were theirs; yet haply may
Dawn a day
When such friends and fellows born,
Seeing our earth as fair at morn,
May for wiser love's sake see
More of heaven's deep heart than we.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Cat: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Algernon Charles Swinburne's poem 'To A Cat' is a beautiful tribute to the feline species. The poem expresses the author's admiration and love for cats as well as his own personal relationship with them. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem.
Themes
The primary theme of 'To A Cat' is the author's relationship with his cat. The author expresses his love and admiration for the cat throughout the poem. He describes the cat as a "queenly beast" and "the soul of the house." The cat is seen as a companion and a friend, someone who is always there for the author, even in times of trouble.
Another theme that appears in the poem is the idea of independence. The cat is described as a creature that is free to come and go as it pleases, without any constraints or obligations. This theme is further emphasized by the imagery used in the poem, particularly the references to the cat's "soft and soundless feet" and its ability to "slip through the door."
The theme of mortality also appears in the poem. The author acknowledges that the cat's life is fleeting and that it will eventually pass away. This is seen in the lines "And you, my friend, my fairest" and "For you know death, the perfect whole." The author is aware of the inevitability of death and the fact that all living beings must eventually face it.
Imagery
The imagery used in 'To A Cat' is rich and vivid. The poem is filled with descriptions of the cat's physical appearance and behavior. The cat is described as having "amber eyes" and "velvet paws." The author also references the cat's ability to move silently and gracefully, describing its "soft and soundless feet" and its ability to "slip through the door."
The imagery in the poem also emphasizes the cat's independence and free spirit. The cat is compared to a "queenly beast" and is described as having a "sovereign claim to all." The imagery suggests that the cat is a creature that is not meant to be tamed or controlled, but rather respected and admired for its natural instincts and behaviors.
Language
The language used in 'To A Cat' is poetic and lyrical. Swinburne uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition, to create a musical quality to the poem. The language is also full of metaphors and similes, which help to paint a vivid picture of the cat.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in the poem is the use of personification. The cat is given human-like qualities and emotions, such as pride, grace, and affection. This personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the author and the cat, as well as emphasizing the cat's importance in the author's life.
Interpretation
'To A Cat' is a beautiful poem that celebrates the feline species and the author's relationship with his cat. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and poetic language, which help to create a sense of intimacy and admiration for the cat. The themes of independence, mortality, and companionship all come together to create a complex and nuanced portrayal of the cat.
At its core, 'To A Cat' is a poem about love and respect for a beloved pet. The author's relationship with the cat is one of mutual affection and admiration, and the poem serves as a testament to the bond that can exist between a human and an animal. The language and imagery used in the poem help to create a sense of intimacy and emotional connection between the reader and the cat, making it a truly powerful and moving piece of literature.
In conclusion, 'To A Cat' is a beautiful poem that celebrates the feline species and the author's relationship with his pet. The themes, imagery, and language used in the poem all come together to create a powerful and emotional portrayal of the cat. Whether you are a cat lover or not, this poem is sure to touch your heart and leave you with a sense of awe and admiration for these wonderful creatures.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To A Cat: An Ode to Feline Majesty
Algernon Charles Swinburne's "Poetry To A Cat" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the majesty and grace of the feline species. Written in 1874, the poem is a testament to Swinburne's love for cats and his admiration for their unique qualities.
The poem begins with a description of the cat's physical appearance, with Swinburne marveling at the creature's "bright eyes, / And the lithe slide of his lithe young limbs." He goes on to describe the cat's movements, comparing them to the fluidity of water and the grace of a dancer.
Swinburne's language is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery that brings the cat to life on the page. He describes the cat's "soft, sleek velvet fur" and the way it "ripples in the wind like a banner." He also notes the cat's "proud head" and "curved and purring tail," which add to its regal bearing.
But Swinburne's admiration for the cat goes beyond its physical beauty. He also celebrates the creature's independence and self-possession, noting that it "moves alone and all in grace, / With perfect poise and measured pace."
This independence is a key theme in the poem, as Swinburne contrasts the cat's self-sufficiency with the more needy and dependent nature of other animals. He notes that the cat "asks not love from any man," and that it is content to "live alone, aloof, apart."
This theme of independence is also reflected in the poem's structure, which is free-flowing and unstructured, much like the cat itself. Swinburne's use of enjambment and irregular meter gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement, much like the cat's own movements.
But while Swinburne celebrates the cat's independence, he also acknowledges its vulnerability. He notes that the cat is "fierce and shy, / And sharp of tongue and claw," and that it is "quick to feel the touch of pain."
This vulnerability is reflected in the poem's closing lines, where Swinburne notes that the cat is "a creature of the twilight, / Half of night and half of day." This duality is a key aspect of the cat's nature, and Swinburne captures it beautifully in his poem.
Overall, "Poetry To A Cat" is a beautiful and evocative ode to the feline species. Swinburne's language is rich and vivid, and his admiration for the cat shines through on every page. Whether you're a cat lover or simply appreciate beautiful poetry, this is a poem that is sure to delight and inspire.
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