'The Tournament' by Sidney Lanier
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Joust First.
I.
Bright shone the lists, blue bent the skies,
And the knights still hurried amain
To the tournament under the ladies' eyes,
Where the jousters were Heart and Brain.
II.
Flourished the trumpets:entered Heart,
A youth in crimson and gold.
Flourished again:Brain stood apart,
Steel-armored, dark and cold.
III.
Heart's palfrey caracoled gayly round,
Heart tra-li-ra'd merrily;
But Brain sat still, with never a sound,
So cynical-calm was he.
IV.
Heart's helmet-crest bore favors three
From his lady's white hand caught;
While Brain wore a plumeless casque; not he
Or favor gave or sought.
V.
The herald blew; Heart shot a glance
To find his lady's eye,
But Brain gazed straight ahead his lance
To aim more faithfully.
VI.
They charged, they struck; both fell, both bled.
Brain rose again, ungloved,
Heart, dying, smiled and faintly said,
"My love to my beloved!"
____
Camp French, Wilmington, N.C., May, 1862.
Joust Second.
I.
A-many sweet eyes wept and wept,
A-many bosoms heaved again;
A-many dainty dead hopes slept
With yonder Heart-knight prone o' the plain.
II.
Yet stars will burn through any mists,
And the ladies' eyes, through rains of fate,
Still beamed upon the bloody lists
And lit the joust of Love and Hate.
III.
O strange! or ere a trumpet blew,
Or ere a challenge-word was given,
A knight leapt down i' the lists; none knew
Whether he sprang from earth or heaven.
IV.
His cheek was soft as a lily-bud,
His grey eyes calmed his youth's alarm;
Nor helm nor hauberk nor even a hood
Had he to shield his life from harm.
V.
No falchion from his baldric swung,
He wore a white rose in its place.
No dagger at his girdle hung,
But only an olive-branch, for grace.
VI.
And "Come, thou poor mistaken knight,"
Cried Love, unarmed, yet dauntless there,
"Come on, God pity thee! --I fight
Sans sword, sans shield; yet, Hate, beware!"
VII.
Spurred furious Hate; he foamed at mouth,
His breath was hot upon the air,
His breath scorched souls, as a dry drought
Withers green trees and burns them bare.
VIII.
Straight drives he at his enemy,
His hairy hands grip lance in rest,
His lance it gleams full bitterly,
God! -- gleams, true-point, on Love's bare breast!
IX.
Love's grey eyes glow with a heaven-heat,
Love lifts his hand in a saintly prayer;
Look!Hate hath fallen at his feet!
Look!Hate hath vanished in the air!
X.
Then all the throng looked kind on all;
Eyes yearned, lips kissed, dumb souls were freed;
Two magic maids' hands lifted a pall
And the dead knight, Heart, sprang on his steed.
XI.
Then Love cried, "Break me his lance, each knight!
Ye shall fight for blood-athirst Fame no more!"
And the knights all doffed their mailed might
And dealt out dole on dole to the poor.
XII.
Then dove-flights sanctified the plain,
And hawk and sparrow shared a nest.
And the great sea opened and swallowed Pain,
And out of this water-grave floated Rest!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Close Reading of Sidney Lanier's "The Tournament"
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to a different time and place? A poem that made you hear the clang of swords, smell the sweat of horses, and feel the adrenaline of a jousting tournament? If not, then you need to read Sidney Lanier's "The Tournament."
This poem, written in 1875, is a masterful work of art that explores the themes of chivalry, honor, and love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a close look at Lanier's use of language, imagery, and symbolism to unpack the deeper meaning of "The Tournament."
Form and Structure
Before we dive into the content of the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate its form and structure. "The Tournament" is written in rhyming couplets, with each couplet consisting of ten syllables. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, like the gallop of a horse or the swing of a sword. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEE, which means that the last word in every other line rhymes. This creates a satisfying sense of unity and closure, as each couplet feels like a self-contained unit within the larger narrative.
The poem is divided into five stanzas of varying length. The first two stanzas set the scene and introduce the main characters, while the third and fourth stanzas describe the jousting tournament itself. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the nature of chivalry and the passing of an era.
Imagery and Symbolism
One of the most striking features of "The Tournament" is Lanier's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. From the very first line, we are transported to a world of knights and ladies, of "stately dames" and "gallant knights." Lanier paints a picture of a medieval court, with its banners and trumpets and "stirring music" that sets the scene for the tournament to come.
Throughout the poem, Lanier uses a variety of symbols to convey the deeper meaning of the story. One of the most prominent symbols is the white plume that the hero, Sir Hubert, wears in his helmet. This plume represents his honor and his commitment to chivalry, as he pledges to defend it against all challengers. When Sir Hubert is defeated in the tournament, his plume is trampled in the mud, symbolizing the loss of his honor and the end of an era of chivalry.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is the "maiden's glove" that Sir Hubert wears on his arm. This glove represents his love for the Lady Geraldine, who has given it to him as a token of her affection. When Sir Hubert is defeated in the tournament, the glove is lost, symbolizing the loss of his love and his hope for a future with Lady Geraldine.
Themes
At its core, "The Tournament" is a story about chivalry and honor. Lanier portrays the world of medieval knights as one in which honor is the most important thing, and a man's worth is measured not by his wealth or his power, but by his adherence to the code of chivalry. Sir Hubert is the embodiment of this code, as he pledges to defend the honor of his lady and his king.
However, the poem also touches on the theme of love and its connection to honor. Sir Hubert's love for Lady Geraldine is what drives him to compete in the tournament, and his defeat represents not only the loss of his honor, but also his hope for a future with her. This theme of love and honor is woven throughout the poem, as Lanier explores the complex interplay between these two powerful forces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Tournament" is a masterful work of art that explores the themes of chivalry, honor, and love through powerful imagery, vivid symbolism, and a carefully crafted structure. Lanier's use of language is both evocative and precise, transporting the reader to a world of knights and ladies, jousting tournaments and courtly love. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of literature to capture the essence of human experience, and to transport us to worlds beyond our own. So if you haven't read "The Tournament" yet, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy and prepare to be transported to a world of adventure, romance, and chivalry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Tournament: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Sidney Lanier
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport readers to different worlds. One such masterpiece of poetry is "The Tournament" by Sidney Lanier. This epic poem is a celebration of chivalry, honor, and love, and it is a testament to the power of language to capture the essence of human experience.
"The Tournament" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a jousting tournament held in the medieval era. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which describes a different aspect of the tournament. The first part sets the scene and introduces the characters, the second part describes the jousting matches, and the third part concludes the story with a message of love and unity.
The poem begins with a description of the tournament grounds, which are filled with knights, ladies, and commoners. The narrator sets the scene with vivid imagery, describing the banners, tents, and pavilions that adorn the field. The atmosphere is one of excitement and anticipation, as the knights prepare for the jousting matches that will determine the champion of the tournament.
The characters in the poem are larger than life, embodying the ideals of chivalry and honor that were prized in the medieval era. The knights are brave and noble, and they are driven by a desire to prove their worth and win the favor of their lady loves. The ladies, too, are beautiful and virtuous, and they inspire the knights to perform great feats of valor.
The jousting matches themselves are described in great detail, with Lanier using language to create a sense of drama and tension. The clashing of the lances, the thundering of the horses' hooves, and the cheers of the crowd all contribute to the excitement of the matches. The knights are depicted as skilled and courageous, but also vulnerable to injury and defeat.
Despite the competitive nature of the tournament, the poem ultimately delivers a message of love and unity. In the final part of the poem, the knights and ladies come together in a celebration of their shared humanity. They recognize that, despite their differences in rank and status, they are all bound together by their common experiences of love, loss, and longing.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Tournament" is the language that Lanier uses to convey his message. The poem is written in a formal, archaic style that evokes the medieval era. The use of alliteration, rhyme, and meter creates a musical quality to the language, which adds to the poem's emotional impact.
Lanier also uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings in the poem. The jousting matches, for example, can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles that people face in their daily lives. The knights represent the human spirit, which is driven by a desire to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. The ladies represent the beauty and grace that inspire us to strive for excellence.
Overall, "The Tournament" is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the human spirit and the power of love and unity. Lanier's use of language, symbolism, and imagery creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the medieval era, and his message of hope and inspiration is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. For anyone who loves poetry, "The Tournament" is a must-read.
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