'Youth And Age' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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Verse, a Breeze 'mid blossoms straying,
Where HOPE clung feeding, like a bee--
Both were mine ! Life went a-maying
With NATURE, HOPE, and POESY,
[Image][Image]When I was young !
When I was young ?--Ah, woful WHEN !
Ah ! for the Change 'twixt Now and Then !
This breathing House not built with hands,
This body that does me grievous wrong,
O'er æry Cliffs and glittering Sands,
How lightly then it flashed along :--
Like those trim skiffs, unknown of yore,
On winding lakes and rivers wide,
That ask no aid of Sail or Oar,
That fear no spite of Wind or Tide !
Nought cared this Body for wind or weather
When YOUTH and I lived in't together.
FLOWERS are lovely ; LOVE is flower-like ;
FRIENDSHIP is a sheltering tree ;
O ! the Joys, that came down shower-like,
Of FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and LIBERTY,
[Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] Ere I was old !
Ere I was old ? Ah woful ERE,
Which tells me, YOUTH'S no longer here !
O YOUTH ! for years so many and sweet,
'Tis known, that Thou and I were one,
I'll think it but a fond conceit--
It cannot be that Thou art gone !
Thy Vesper-bell hath not yet toll'd :--
And thou wert aye a Masker bold !
What strange Disguise hast now put on,
To make believe, that thou art gone ?
I see these Locks in silvery slips,
This drooping Gait, this altered Size :
But SPRINGTIDE blossoms on thy Lips,
And Tears take sunshine from thine eyes !
Life is but Thought : so think I will
That YOUTH and I are House-mates still.
Dew-drops are the gems of morning,
But the tears of mournful eve !
Where no hope is, life's a warning
That only serves to make us grieve,
[Image][Image]When we are old :
That only serves to make us grieve
With oft and tedious taking-leave,
Like some poor nigh-related guest,
That may not rudely be dismist ;
Yet hath outstay'd his welcome while,
And tells the jest without the smile.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Youth and Age: An Exploration of Coleridge's Poem
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Youth and Age" is a masterful exploration of the complex and often paradoxical relationship between these two states of being. In just 24 lines, Coleridge manages to capture the essence of youth's vitality and energy, as well as age's wisdom and introspection. But the poem is much more than just a simple meditation on the passage of time. It is a rich and multifaceted work that rewards close reading and deep interpretation.
At its core, "Youth and Age" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life. The speaker begins by describing youth as a time of "frolic and of joy," a time when "Hope's gayest wreaths are woven." This opening stanza is filled with images of vitality and energy, from the "tender buds" of spring to the "lambs that gambolled" in the fields. But even as the speaker revels in these images, he is already aware of their transience. "But oh, how soon the Spring of life decays," he laments, "And youth's gay spirit droops, ere it hath flown its last."
This theme of transience is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker contrasts the fleeting pleasures of youth with the deeper, more lasting joys of age. The second stanza begins with a stark contrast between the "sunshine of the breast" that illuminates youth and the "calm and holy light" that shines from the eyes of the aged. Here, Coleridge is suggesting that while youth may be bright and sunny, it is ultimately shallow and superficial. The deeper, more meaningful aspects of life are only revealed with the passage of time.
As the poem progresses, the speaker continues to explore the paradoxical relationship between youth and age. On the one hand, he acknowledges that youth is a time of "bounding pulse and buoyant breast," a time when "the spirit loves to dwell." But on the other hand, he suggests that it is only in old age that we truly come to understand the value of youth. "Then to the eye the vistaed years appear," he writes, "And through the haze of memory shine those days / When first we loved, and hoped, and sought the prize."
This tension between the joys of youth and the wisdom of age is ultimately resolved in the final stanza, where the speaker suggests that both states of being are necessary for a full and meaningful life. "Oh, Youth and Age," he writes, "How discordant is your war, / Whose sounds some hollow victory must ensue." Here, Coleridge is acknowledging that there can be no real victory in the struggle between youth and age. Rather, both states of being are necessary for a complete human experience.
But even as the poem ends on a note of reconciliation, it is clear that Coleridge's exploration of the relationship between youth and age is far from over. "Sooner or later," he seems to be saying, "we will all experience both the joys of youth and the wisdom of age." And it is only by embracing both of these states of being that we can truly live a full and meaningful life.
In conclusion, "Youth and Age" is a beautiful and complex poem that rewards careful reading and deep interpretation. Through its exploration of the paradoxical relationship between youth and age, Coleridge invites us to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of embracing both the joys of youth and the wisdom of age. Whether we are young or old, the poem suggests, we can all find meaning and purpose in the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Youth and Age: A Timeless Poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the famous English poet, wrote a timeless poem called "Youth and Age." This poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the changes that come with it. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that has resonated with readers for centuries.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his youth. He remembers the days when he was full of energy and enthusiasm, when he felt invincible and free. He recalls the joy of running through fields and climbing trees, of feeling the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. He remembers the thrill of adventure and the excitement of new experiences.
But as the poem progresses, the speaker begins to realize that time has passed. He is no longer young and carefree. He has grown older, and with age has come a sense of loss. He mourns the passing of his youth, and longs for the days when he was young and full of life.
The poem is divided into two parts, each of which explores a different aspect of youth and age. In the first part, the speaker reflects on the joys of youth. He describes the freedom and energy that comes with being young, and the sense of possibility that accompanies it. He speaks of the beauty of nature, and the way in which it can inspire and uplift the human spirit.
In the second part of the poem, the speaker reflects on the sadness of age. He speaks of the loss of youth, and the way in which it can leave a person feeling empty and alone. He describes the physical and emotional changes that come with age, and the way in which they can make a person feel disconnected from the world around them.
Throughout the poem, Coleridge uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. He uses imagery to paint vivid pictures of the joys of youth and the sorrows of age. He uses metaphor to compare the passage of time to a river, and to describe the way in which it can carry a person along, whether they want to go or not. He uses repetition to emphasize the themes of the poem, and to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Coleridge's words are carefully chosen and beautifully crafted, creating a sense of depth and richness that is rare in modern poetry. His use of language is both poetic and philosophical, inviting the reader to reflect on the meaning of life and the passage of time.
In many ways, "Youth and Age" is a poem about the human condition. It speaks to the universal experience of growing older, and the way in which this can bring both joy and sorrow. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish the moments we have while we can.
In conclusion, "Youth and Age" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that has resonated with readers for centuries, and will continue to do so for many years to come. Coleridge's use of language and literary devices creates a sense of depth and richness that is rare in modern poetry, and his message is one that is both poetic and philosophical. This poem is a true masterpiece, and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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