'Rose -Morals' by Sidney Lanier
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I. -- Red.
Would that my songs might be
What roses make by day and night --
Distillments of my clod of misery
Into delight.
Soul, could'st thou bare thy breast
As yon red rose, and dare the day,
All clean, and large, and calm with velvet rest?
Say yea -- say yea!
Ah, dear my Rose, good-bye;
The wind is up; so; drift away.
That songs from me as leaves from thee may fly,
I strive, I pray.
II. -- White.
Soul, get thee to the heart
Of yonder tuberose:hide thee there --
There breathe the meditations of thine art
Suffused with prayer.
Of spirit grave yet light,
How fervent fragrances uprise
Pure-born from these most rich and yet most white
Virginities!
Mulched with unsavory death,
Grow, Soul! unto such white estate,
That virginal-prayerful art shall be thy breath,
Thy work, thy fate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Sidney Lanier's Rose-Morals
If there's anything that can stir the soul and evoke emotions that are difficult to put into words, it's poetry. And Sidney Lanier's "Rose-Morals" is no exception. This classic piece of poetry is a testament to the beauty and complexity of language, and a true masterclass in literary technique.
Who is Sidney Lanier?
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to get to know the author behind it. Sidney Lanier was an American poet, musician, and scholar who lived during the 19th century. He was known for his musical and poetic talents, and was a pioneer in the field of American literature. In addition to writing poetry, Lanier was also a flutist and composer, and his love of music is evident in his use of rhythm and sound in his writing.
The Poem
Now, let's turn our attention to "Rose-Morals" itself. The poem is relatively short, consisting of just six stanzas, but it packs a powerful punch. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty and morality, and how the two intersect. Lanier uses the image of a rose as a metaphor for beauty, and explores the idea that beauty can be both a source of inspiration and a source of temptation.
The poem begins with the line, "A sense of roses, and of kisses, and of wine," which immediately sets a romantic and sensual tone. Lanier goes on to describe the beauty of the rose, and how it can be both delicate and fierce:
A rose is a rose, And was always a rose. But the theory now goes That the apple's a rose, And the pear is, and so's The plum, I suppose.
Here, Lanier is playing with the idea that beauty can be found in many different forms, not just in the traditional sense of a rose. He suggests that even a plain fruit like an apple can be beautiful, if viewed in the right way. This idea is further explored in the following stanzas, where Lanier reflects on the duality of beauty:
Ah, roses are sweet, And kisses are sweet, But sweeter by far Than the sweetest things either could be, The thing where the overlapping maxims meet, The point of true flavor, the perfect, the whole, And the only, conceivable, absolute soul!
Here, Lanier is suggesting that true beauty can only be found when two seemingly opposing ideas come together. The "overlapping maxims" he refers to could be interpreted as the conflicting desires we all have - the desire for pleasure, and the desire for moral goodness. Lanier argues that it is only when these two desires intersect that we can find true beauty.
The final stanza of the poem offers a reflection on the fleeting nature of beauty:
Then, what is the moral? and what is the song? And where is the meeting-place of the throng? Ah, one is the moral, and one is the song: And both are the meeting-place of the throng!
- Ay, sweet is the moral, and sweet is the song, And sweet, sweet, sweet, forever, The growth of the beautiful, sweet to the sense, And sweet to the soul, and sweet again to the brain, The sweet of the rose and the sweet of the kiss, The sweet of the meaning itself, yea, the sweet, The sweet, sweet, sweet, of the thing.
Here, Lanier suggests that beauty is fleeting, but that it can be found in many different forms. The "moral" he refers to could be interpreted as the moral goodness that we all strive for, while the "song" represents the beauty and pleasure that we all seek. The meeting-place of the throng is where these two desires come together - where we find the beauty that we crave.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? At its core, "Rose-Morals" is a meditation on the nature of beauty and morality, and how the two intersect. Lanier suggests that beauty can be both a source of pleasure and a source of temptation, and that true beauty can only be found when these two desires come together.
One could interpret the poem as a reflection on the human condition. We all have conflicting desires - the desire for pleasure, and the desire for moral goodness. And yet, it is only when these two desires intersect that we can find true beauty. Lanier suggests that beauty is not just about physical appearance, but also about the way that we live our lives. True beauty can be found in the way we treat others, in the way we live with integrity and kindness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Rose-Morals" is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the nature of beauty and morality. Sidney Lanier's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his insights into the human condition are profound. The poem invites us to reflect on our own desires and values, and to consider how we might cultivate true beauty in our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Rose -Morals: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Morality
Sidney Lanier, an American poet, musician, and scholar, is known for his exceptional poetry that reflects his deep understanding of nature, music, and spirituality. Among his many works, Poetry Rose -Morals stands out as a masterpiece of symbolism and morality. This poem, written in 1875, is a beautiful and complex piece that explores the themes of love, beauty, and morality through the metaphor of a rose. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its symbolism, structure, and meaning.
Symbolism of the Rose
The rose is a symbol that has been used in literature and art for centuries to represent love, beauty, and passion. In Poetry Rose -Morals, Lanier uses the rose as a metaphor for the human soul, which is fragile, beautiful, and in need of care and attention. The rose is also a symbol of the divine, as it represents the beauty and perfection of God's creation. Throughout the poem, Lanier uses various images and metaphors to describe the rose, such as "a cup of crimson fire," "a flame in crystal," and "a heart of fire." These images evoke the beauty and fragility of the rose, as well as its potential for destruction if not handled with care.
Structure of the Poem
Poetry Rose -Morals is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first eight lines (the octave) presenting a problem or question, and the last six lines (the sestet) providing a resolution or answer. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a question: "What is the moral? Who rides may read." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is searching for a moral lesson that can be learned from the rose. The next four lines describe the beauty and fragility of the rose, using vivid imagery and metaphors to create a sense of wonder and awe.
In the second half of the poem, the speaker provides an answer to the question posed in the first half. The speaker suggests that the moral lesson of the rose is that beauty and love are fragile and must be handled with care. The speaker warns that if we do not treat love and beauty with respect, they can be destroyed, just like the rose can be destroyed by a careless hand. The final two lines of the poem provide a sense of closure, as the speaker suggests that the rose is a symbol of the divine, and that we must treat it with the same reverence and care that we would treat God's creation.
Meaning of the Poem
At its core, Poetry Rose -Morals is a poem about the fragility of love and beauty, and the importance of treating these things with care and respect. The rose, as a symbol of the human soul and the divine, represents the beauty and perfection of God's creation, as well as the fragility and vulnerability of the human spirit. The poem suggests that we must treat love and beauty with the same reverence and care that we would treat the rose, or risk destroying something that is precious and irreplaceable.
The poem also explores the theme of morality, suggesting that there is a moral lesson to be learned from the rose. The speaker suggests that the moral lesson of the rose is that beauty and love are fragile and must be handled with care. This lesson is applicable to all aspects of life, from personal relationships to the environment. The poem suggests that we must treat all things with care and respect, or risk destroying something that is precious and irreplaceable.
Conclusion
Poetry Rose -Morals is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, beauty, and morality through the metaphor of a rose. Lanier's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of wonder and awe, while the strict structure of the sonnet creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The poem suggests that we must treat love and beauty with the same reverence and care that we would treat the rose, or risk destroying something that is precious and irreplaceable. This lesson is applicable to all aspects of life, and the poem serves as a reminder to treat all things with care and respect.
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