'To Baynard Taylor' by Sidney Lanier
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To range, deep-wrapt, along a heavenly height,
O'erseeing all that man but undersees;
To loiter down lone alleys of delight,
And hear the beating of the hearts of trees,
And think the thoughts that lilies speak in white
By greenwood pools and pleasant passages;
With healthy dreams a-dream in flesh and soul,
To pace, in mighty meditations drawn,
From out the forest to the open knoll
Where much thyme is, whence blissful leagues of lawn
Betwixt the fringing woods to southward roll
By tender inclinations; mad with dawn,
Ablaze with fires that flame in silver dew
When each small globe doth glass the morning-star,
Long ere the sun, sweet-smitten through and through
With dappled revelations read afar,
Suffused with saintly ecstasies of blue
As all the holy eastern heavens are, --
To fare thus fervid to what daily toil
Employs thy spirit in that larger Land
Where thou art gone; to strive, but not to moil
In nothings that do mar the artist's hand,
Not drudge unriched, as grain rots back to soil, --
No profit out of death, -- going, yet still at stand, --
Giving what life is here in hand to-day
For that that's in to-morrow's bush, perchance, --
Of this year's harvest none in the barn to lay,
All sowed for next year's crop, -- a dull advance
In curves that come but by another way
Back to the start, -- a thriftless thrift of ants
Whose winter wastes their summer; O my Friend,
Freely to range, to muse, to toil, is thine:
Thine, now, to watch with Homer sails that bend
Unstained by Helen's beauty o'er the brine
Tow'rds some clean Troy no Hector need defend
Nor flame devour; or, in some mild moon's shine,
Where amiabler winds the whistle heed,
To sail with Shelley o'er a bluer sea,
And mark Prometheus, from his fetters freed,
Pass with Deucalion over Italy,
While bursts the flame from out his eager reed
Wild-stretching towards the West of destiny;
Or, prone with Plato, Shakespeare and a throng
Of bards beneath some plane-tree's cool eclipse
To gaze on glowing meads where, lingering long,
Psyche's large Butterfly her honey sips;
Or, mingling free in choirs of German song,
To learn of Goethe's life from Goethe's lips;
These, these are thine, and we, who still are dead,
Do yearn -- nay, not to kill thee back again
Into this charnel life, this lowlihead,
Not to the dark of sense, the blinking brain,
The hugged delusion drear, the hunger fed
On husks of guess, the monarchy of pain,
The cross of love, the wrench of faith, the shame
Of science that cannot prove proof is, the twist
Of blame for praise and bitter praise for blame,
The silly stake and tether round the wrist
By fashion fixed, the virtue that doth claim
The gains of vice, the lofty mark that's missed
By all the mortal space 'twixt heaven and hell,
The soul's sad growth o'er stationary friends
Who hear us from our height not well, not well,
The slant of accident, the sudden bends
Of purpose tempered strong, the gambler's spell,
The son's disgrace, the plan that e'er depends
On others' plots, the tricks that passion plays
(I loving you, you him, he none at all),
The artist's pain -- to walk his blood-stained ways,
A special soul, yet judged as general --
The endless grief of art, the sneer that slays,
The war, the wound, the groan, the funeral pall --
Not into these, bright spirit, do we yearn
To bring thee back, but oh, to be, to be
Unbound of all these gyves, to stretch, to spurn
The dark from off our dolorous lids, to see
Our spark, Conjecture, blaze and sunwise burn,
And suddenly to stand again by thee!
Ah, not for us, not yet, by thee to stand:
For us, the fret, the dark, the thorn, the chill;
For us, to call across unto thy Land,
"Friend, get thee to the minstrels' holy hill,
And kiss those brethren for us, mouth and hand,
And make our duty to our master Will."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sidney Lanier's To Baynard Taylor: A Masterful Poetic Tribute
When it comes to poetic tributes, Sidney Lanier's "To Baynard Taylor" stands out as an exceptional work of art. Lanier's admiration for Taylor, a fellow poet and traveler, shines through every line of the poem, as he celebrates his friend's life and accomplishments. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the nuances of "To Baynard Taylor," exploring its themes, structure, and poetic devices, and unpacking its deeper meanings.
Background of the Poem
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to contextualize it within the broader literary landscape of the time. Sidney Lanier was an American poet, musician, and scholar who lived from 1842 to 1881. He is best known for his poetry, which explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience.
Baynard Taylor, the subject of Lanier's poem, was a contemporary of Lanier's, born in 1825 and living until 1878. Taylor was a prolific writer, known for his travelogues and his poetry, which often explored themes of adventure, nature, and the exotic. He was also a translator, bringing the works of Goethe and others into English for American audiences.
Lanier and Taylor were friends and correspondents, and it is clear from "To Baynard Taylor" that Lanier held his friend in high esteem. The poem was written in 1879, the year after Taylor's death, and was published in the book "Poems of Sidney Lanier" in 1884.
Structure and Form
"To Baynard Taylor" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Specifically, it follows the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet form, which divides the poem into two parts: an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. The rhyme scheme for the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet can have various rhyme patterns, such as CDECDE or CDCDCD.
The sonnet form is a fitting choice for this poem, as it is often used for expressions of love or admiration. The strict structure and rhyme scheme of the sonnet also give Lanier a framework in which to express his thoughts and feelings about Taylor in a controlled and elegant manner.
Themes and Meaning
At its core, "To Baynard Taylor" is a tribute to a friend and fellow poet. Lanier begins by describing Taylor's travels and adventures, celebrating his "daring soul" and "venturous feet." He then transitions to a more personal tone, expressing his admiration for Taylor's poetry and his impact on American literature.
One of the central themes of the poem is the power of poetry itself. Lanier describes poetry as a force that can "heal the spirit's sight," and declares that Taylor's poetry has "made America more great." Lanier sees Taylor's work as a reflection of his character, praising his "noble mind" and "perfect heart."
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of mortality and the passage of time. Lanier acknowledges that Taylor's "voice is still" and that he has "crossed the mystic bar." However, he also asserts that Taylor's legacy lives on through his poetry, which continues to inspire and uplift readers.
Poetic Devices
Lanier's use of poetic devices in "To Baynard Taylor" is masterful, adding depth and richness to the poem. One such device is alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, in the first line of the poem, Lanier writes "Thou of the stern and woody East," using the repeated "w" sound to create a sense of the rugged landscape Taylor explored.
Another poetic device Lanier employs is imagery, vivid descriptions that evoke sensory experiences. Throughout the poem, he paints a picture of Taylor as a traveler and adventurer, using phrases like "thy venturous feet," "thy wandering sail," and "thy daring soul." These images help to convey the sense of excitement and wonder that Taylor must have felt as he explored the world.
Lanier also makes use of personification, giving human qualities to non-human entities. For example, he writes that Taylor's poetry has "made America more great," personifying the country itself as if it were a living being. This technique adds a sense of grandeur and importance to Taylor's work, emphasizing its impact on American culture and history.
Conclusion
In "To Baynard Taylor," Sidney Lanier has created a beautiful and moving tribute to his friend and fellow poet. Through his use of the sonnet form, poetic devices, and vivid imagery, Lanier captures both the adventurous spirit of Taylor's life and the enduring power of his poetry. As readers, we are left with a sense of awe and admiration for both the subject of the poem and the poet who created it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Baynard Taylor: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Sidney Lanier's Poetry To Baynard Taylor is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of the human soul's yearning for beauty and truth. This poem is a tribute to Baynard Taylor, a renowned American poet, and traveler, who was a close friend of Lanier. The poem is a reflection of the deep admiration and respect that Lanier had for Taylor's work and his life's journey.
The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The sonnet form is a perfect vehicle for Lanier's expression of his admiration for Taylor's poetic genius. The poem's structure is divided into two parts, an octave, and a sestet. The octave presents the theme of the poem, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion to the theme.
The poem's opening line, "O Taylor, poet-prophet of the dawn!" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the exclamation mark emphasizes the poet's excitement and admiration for Taylor's work. The phrase "poet-prophet of the dawn" is a metaphor that suggests Taylor's work is a beacon of hope and enlightenment for humanity. The dawn represents a new beginning, a fresh start, and a new perspective on life.
The octave of the poem is an expression of Lanier's admiration for Taylor's poetic genius. The octave is divided into two quatrains, each with its own rhyme scheme. The first quatrain, "Thou hast sung the morning up the eastern sky," is a metaphor that suggests Taylor's poetry has the power to awaken the human spirit. The phrase "morning up the eastern sky" is a metaphor for the human soul's awakening to the beauty and truth of life.
The second quatrain, "And chased the darkness from the hills of night," is a metaphor that suggests Taylor's poetry has the power to dispel the darkness of ignorance and despair. The phrase "chased the darkness from the hills of night" is a metaphor for the human soul's liberation from the darkness of ignorance and despair.
The sestet of the poem provides a resolution or conclusion to the theme of the poem. The sestet is divided into two tercets, each with its own rhyme scheme. The first tercet, "Thou hast sung the stars down out of the sky," is a metaphor that suggests Taylor's poetry has the power to bring the beauty of the heavens down to earth. The phrase "sung the stars down out of the sky" is a metaphor for the human soul's ability to appreciate the beauty of the heavens on earth.
The second tercet, "And touched the heart of earth with prophecy," is a metaphor that suggests Taylor's poetry has the power to inspire humanity with a vision of a better world. The phrase "touched the heart of earth with prophecy" is a metaphor for the human soul's ability to envision a better world and work towards its realization.
The poem's use of metaphors is a testament to Lanier's poetic genius. The metaphors are used to convey complex ideas and emotions in a simple and elegant manner. The use of metaphors also adds depth and richness to the poem, making it a work of art that can be appreciated on many levels.
In conclusion, Sidney Lanier's Poetry To Baynard Taylor is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of the human soul's yearning for beauty and truth. The poem is a tribute to Baynard Taylor, a renowned American poet, and traveler, who was a close friend of Lanier. The poem's use of the sonnet form, metaphors, and elegant language is a testament to Lanier's poetic genius. The poem is a work of art that can be appreciated on many levels and is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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