'Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days' by Robert Louis Stevenson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
FEAR not, dear friend, but freely live your days
Though lesser lives should suffer.Such am I,
A lesser life, that what is his of sky
Gladly would give for you, and what of praise.
Step, without trouble, down the sunlit ways.
We that have touched your raiment, are made whole
From all the selfish cankers of man's soul,
And we would see you happy, dear, or die.
Therefore be brave, and therefore, dear, be free;
Try all things resolutely, till the best,
Out of all lesser betters, you shall find;
And we, who have learned greatness from you, we,
Your lovers, with a still, contented mind,
See you well anchored in some port of rest.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days
Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish author of Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, is better known for his prose. However, his poetry is equally noteworthy, and "Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days" is one of his most captivating pieces.
This poem, published in Stevenson's collection "Underwoods" in 1887, is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment. It is written in the form of a letter from the poet to an unnamed friend, urging them to let go of their fears and embrace the joys of existence.
The poem opens with the lines:
Fear not, dear friend, but freely live your days
Though lesser lives should suffer. Such am I,
A lesser life, that what is his of sky
Knows how to prize and make by heaven's praise.
In these lines, Stevenson acknowledges his own mortality and insignificance in the grand scheme of things. He tells his friend not to be afraid to live their life to the fullest, even if it means that others may suffer. The poet sees himself as a "lesser life" who knows how to appreciate the sky and the beauty of the world, and he encourages his friend to do the same.
The next stanza reads:
Though fortune should bereave you,
The cisterns of the all-abounding sky
Are for the glow-worm's luminosity,
Not for the spirit's better joy receive you.
In these lines, Stevenson reminds his friend that even if they should experience misfortune, there is still an abundance of beauty in the world for them to appreciate. He uses the image of the glow-worm, a small creature that emits light in the darkness, to convey the idea that there is always something to be grateful for, even in difficult times.
The third stanza continues:
Heed not the night; a bigger, brighter day
Will melt its chillness. Courage, man, and say:
"The sun is near, the distance far away."
Here, Stevenson urges his friend to have courage and face the challenges of life with optimism. He tells them to focus on the promise of a brighter day rather than being overwhelmed by the darkness of the present. The final line, "The sun is near, the distance far away," suggests that even if it seems like happiness is far off, it is actually much closer than one might think.
In the fourth stanza, Stevenson writes:
Live while you live; the epicure would say,
And seize the pleasures of the present day.
Trust not to-morrow.
Put no trust in tomorrow, for the clock may then be still.
Here, the poet echoes the idea of carpe diem, or "seize the day." He urges his friend to live in the present and enjoy the pleasures that life has to offer. He warns against putting too much trust in tomorrow, as there is no guarantee that it will come. The final line, "for the clock may then be still," is a reminder that death can come at any moment, and that one should make the most of the time they have.
The final stanza reads:
For who can tell? To-morrow
May be to love's eternity,
And love your own to-morrow
For all the fleshly signs, could ye see,
Were that which thou hast seen the same to thee.
Here, Stevenson explores the theme of love and the idea that it can transcend death. He suggests that we cannot know what tomorrow will bring, and that it may hold the promise of an eternity of love. The final two lines, "For all the fleshly signs, could ye see, / Were that which thou hast seen the same to thee," suggest that love is not just a physical attraction, but something deeper and more profound.
In "Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days," Robert Louis Stevenson offers a poetic meditation on life, love, and the importance of living in the present. His words are both inspiring and comforting, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be grateful for, and that love can transcend even death.
As a lover of literature, I find this poem to be a true gem. Its simple yet profound message speaks to the human experience and offers a glimpse of hope in an often-difficult world. Stevenson's use of language is both beautiful and accessible, making this poem a joy to read and contemplate.
In conclusion, "Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days" is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves a place in the canon of great works. Its timeless message of courage, optimism, and love is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago. For anyone who is seeking inspiration and guidance on how to live a meaningful life, this poem is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century. His works, including Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, have captivated readers for generations. However, one of his lesser-known works, the poem "Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days," is a true gem that deserves more recognition.
The poem, which was first published in 1885, is a beautiful and inspiring piece that encourages readers to live their lives to the fullest, without fear or hesitation. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago, and one that we can all benefit from.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker urging the reader to "fear not" and to "freely live your days." The use of the word "fear" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is aware of the many fears and anxieties that can hold us back in life. However, the speaker is also confident that we can overcome these fears and live our lives to the fullest.
The second stanza reinforces this message, with the speaker urging the reader to "live while you live" and to "seize the day." This is a common theme in literature and philosophy, and it is often associated with the Latin phrase "carpe diem," which means "seize the day." The idea is that we should make the most of every moment, as we never know when our time will be up.
The third stanza takes a slightly different approach, with the speaker acknowledging that life can be difficult and that we will face challenges and setbacks along the way. However, the speaker encourages us to "laugh the heartier" in the face of adversity, and to "smile the sweeter" when things are tough. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that we can find joy and happiness even in the darkest of times.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker urging the reader to "live your life and forget your age." This is a reminder that we are never too old to pursue our dreams and to live our lives to the fullest. It is a message that is particularly relevant in today's society, where ageism is still a major issue.
Overall, "Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that encourages us to live our lives to the fullest, without fear or hesitation. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago, and one that we can all benefit from. Robert Louis Stevenson was a master of his craft, and this poem is a testament to his talent and his ability to inspire and uplift his readers.
Editor Recommended Sites
Data Integration - Record linkage and entity resolution & Realtime session merging: Connect all your datasources across databases, streaming, and realtime sourcesPrivacy Dating: Privacy focused dating, limited profile sharing and discussion
Cloud Lakehouse: Lakehouse implementations for the cloud, the new evolution of datalakes. Data mesh tutorials
Explainable AI: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
ML Writing: Machine learning for copywriting, guide writing, book writing
Recommended Similar Analysis
Fear , The by Robert Lee Frost analysisII .Safety by Rupert Brooke analysis
To Earthward by Robert Frost analysis
Vanitas Vanitatis, Etc. by Anne Brontë analysis
They Flee From Me by Sir Thomas Wyatt analysis
A Divine Image by William Blake analysis
On This Day I Complete My Thirty-Sixth Year by Lord Byron analysis
I Will Take An Egg Out Of The Robin's Nest by Walt Whitman analysis
Berenice by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
A Man's Requirements by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis