'I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows' by Robert Louis Stevenson

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I NOW, O friend, whom noiselessly the snows
Settle around, and whose small chamber grows
Dusk as the sloping window takes its load:

* * * * *

The kindly hill, as to complete our hap,
Has ta'en us in the shelter of her lap;
Well sheltered in our slender grove of trees
And ring of walls, we sit between her knees;
A disused quarry, paved with rose plots, hung
With clematis, the barren womb whence sprung
The crow-stepped house itself, that now far seen
Stands, like a bather, to the neck in green.
A disused quarry, furnished with a seat
Sacred to pipes and meditation meet
For such a sunny and retired nook.
There in the clear, warm mornings many a book
Has vied with the fair prospect of the hills
That, vale on vale, rough brae on brae, upfills
Halfway to the zenith all the vacant sky
To keep my loose attention. . . .
Horace has sat with me whole mornings through:
And Montaigne gossiped, fairly false and true;
And chattering Pepys, and a few beside
That suit the easy vein, the quiet tide,
The calm and certain stay of garden-life,
Far sunk from all the thunderous roar of strife.
There is about the small secluded place
A garnish of old times; a certain grace
Of pensive memories lays about the braes:
The old chestnuts gossip tales of bygone days.
Here, where some wandering preacher, blest Lazil,
Perhaps, or Peden, on the middle hill
Had made his secret church, in rain or snow,
He cheers the chosen residue from woe.
All night the doors stood open, come who might,
The hounded kebbock mat the mud all night.
Nor are there wanting later tales; of how
Prince Charlie's Highlanders . . .

* * * * *

I have had talents, too.In life's first hour
God crowned with benefits my childish head.
Flower after flower, I plucked them; flower by flower
Cast them behind me, ruined, withered, dead.
Full many a shining godhead disappeared.
From the bright rank that once adorned her brow
The old child's Olympus

* * * * *

Gone are the fair old dreams, and one by one,
As, one by one, the means to reach them went,
As, one by one, the stars in riot and disgrace,
I squandered what . . .

There shut the door, alas! on many a hope
Too many;
My face is set to the autumnal slope,
Where the loud winds shall . . .

There shut the door, alas! on many a hope,
And yet some hopes remain that shall decide
My rest of years and down the autumnal slope.

* * * * *

Gone are the quiet twilight dreams that I
Loved, as all men have loved them; gone!
I have great dreams, and still they stir my soul on high -
Dreams of the knight's stout heart and tempered will.
Not in Elysian lands they take their way;
Not as of yore across the gay champaign,
Towards some dream city, towered . . .
and my . . .
The path winds forth before me, sweet and plain,
Not now; but though beneath a stone-grey sky
November's russet woodlands toss and wail,
Still the white road goes thro' them, still may I,
Strong in new purpose, God, may still prevail.

* * * * *

I and my like, improvident sailors!

* * * * *

At whose light fall awaking, all my heart
Grew populous with gracious, favoured thought,
And all night long thereafter, hour by hour,
The pageant of dead love before my eyes
Went proudly, and old hopes with downcast head
Followed like Kings, subdued in Rome's imperial hour,
Followed the car; and I . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows" by Robert Louis Stevenson

Introduction

"I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows" is a classic poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish author, and poet. This poem was first published in 1885 in "A Child's Garden of Verses" and is a part of the "Winter-Time" section. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the winter season and how it affects our emotions and thoughts. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Stevenson in this poem.

Analysis

Themes

The central theme of the poem is the beauty and serenity of the winter season. Stevenson beautifully captures the essence of the snow-filled landscapes and the peacefulness it brings along with it. The themes of solitude, introspection, and reflection are also present in the poem. The speaker is alone in the midst of the snow and is contemplative about his surroundings and his own thoughts. The poem also touches upon the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and how everything is temporary, just like the snow that melts away.

Symbols

The snow is the most significant symbol in the poem. It represents the tranquility and stillness of the winter season. The snow-covered landscapes are beautiful and otherworldly, and they have the power to transport us into a peaceful and meditative state. The snow also symbolizes purity and innocence, as it covers everything in a blanket of white, hiding all the dirt and imperfections. However, the snow is also a symbol of transience, as it melts away with the arrival of spring, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life.

The speaker's solitude is another symbol in the poem. The winter season can be isolating, with the snow-covered landscapes making it difficult for people to venture out. The speaker's solitude represents the introspective nature of the season, where we are forced to confront our thoughts and emotions.

Literary Devices

Stevenson employs several literary devices in the poem, enhancing its beauty and meaning. The poem is written in the first person, which creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. It allows us to see the world through the speaker's eyes and experience the beauty of the winter season in a personal and emotional way.

The use of imagery is also prominent in the poem. Stevenson describes the snow-covered landscapes in vivid detail, creating a visual representation of the winter season. The imagery is not limited to the physical description of the snow but also extends to the speaker's emotions and thoughts. For instance, the speaker describes his thoughts as "noiseless" and the snow as "softly falling," creating a sense of peace and stillness.

The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The phrase "I now" is repeated at the beginning of every stanza, emphasizing the speaker's present moment and his contemplative state of mind. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity in the poem, tying the stanzas together and creating a cohesive whole.

Interpretation

"I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of the winter season. The poem is not just about the physical description of the snow but also about the emotional and psychological impact it has on us. The snow represents the stillness and tranquility of the season, and the speaker's solitude represents the introspective and reflective nature of the season.

The poem also touches upon the theme of mortality, reminding us that everything is temporary and that we need to appreciate the beauty of life while we can. The poem's gentle and peaceful tone creates a sense of calmness and serenity in the reader, transporting us to a world of beauty and introspection.

Conclusion

"I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows" is a classic poem that captures the beauty and stillness of the winter season. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and other literary devices, Stevenson creates a world of tranquility and serenity that transports the reader to a different time and place. The poem's themes of solitude, introspection, and mortality are universal and resonate with readers even today. It is a poem that reminds us to appreciate the beauty of life, even in its fleeting nature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a beautiful and artistic manner. Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, "I Now, O Friend, Whom Noiselessly The Snows," is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.

The poem is a conversation between two friends, one of whom is leaving for a distant land. The speaker, who is left behind, expresses his feelings of sadness and loneliness. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique tone and message.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The speaker addresses his friend, who is leaving, and expresses his sadness at the thought of being left behind. He says, "I now, O friend, whom noiselessly the snows / Settle around, and whose small chamber grows / Dusk as the sloping window takes the rose." The imagery of the snow settling around the friend's house creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The speaker also mentions the sloping window taking the rose, which is a metaphor for the passing of time and the friend's departure.

The second stanza is more introspective and philosophical. The speaker reflects on the nature of friendship and how it can transcend distance and time. He says, "Yet we were one, and O, long since we were / The world to one another, and how near, / How intimate, not even the dearest fear." The use of the word "one" emphasizes the closeness of the friendship, and the phrase "not even the dearest fear" suggests that the friends shared a bond that was stronger than any fear or obstacle.

The third stanza is a farewell message to the friend who is leaving. The speaker expresses his hope that the friend will find happiness and success in his new journey. He says, "And now, O friend, whom I shall see no more, / Dear, buried face whom I have seen before! / Loved, living voice that shall be heard no more!" The repetition of the word "no more" emphasizes the finality of the friend's departure, and the use of the word "buried" suggests that the friend is leaving a part of himself behind.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a musical quality. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's lyrical quality. The poem's structure and language create a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, which is fitting for a poem about friendship and departure.

Stevenson's poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of friendship and the pain of separation. The poem captures the essence of human emotions and experiences in a way that only poetry can. It is a testament to the power of language and the enduring legacy of great poetry.

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