'Love' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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All thoughts, all passions, all delights,
Whatever stirs this mortal frame,
All are but ministers of Love,
And feed his sacred flame.
Oft in my waking dreams do I
Live o'er again that happy hour,
When midway on the mount I lay,
Beside the ruined tower.
The moonshine, stealing o'er the scene
Had blended with the lights of eve ;
And she was there, my hope, my joy,
My own dear Genevieve !
She leant against the arméd man,
The statue of the arméd knight ;
She stood and listened to my lay,
Amid the lingering light.
Few sorrows hath she of her own,
My hope ! my joy ! my Genevieve !
She loves me best, whene'er I sing
The songs that make her grieve.
I played a soft and doleful air,
I sang an old and moving story--
An old rude song, that suited well
That ruin wild and hoary.
She listened with a flitting blush,
With downcast eyes and modest grace ;
For well she know, I could not choose
But gaze upon her face.
I told her of the Knight that wore
Upon his shield a burning brand ;
And that for ten long years he wooed
The Lady of the Land.
I told her how he pined : and ah !
The deep, the low, the pleading tone
With which I sang another's love,
Interpreted my own.
She listened with a flitting blush,
With downcast eyes, and modest grace ;
And she forgave me, that I gazed
Too fondly on her face !
But when I told the cruel scorn
That crazed that bold and lovely Knight,
And that he crossed the mountain-woods,
Nor rested day nor night ;
That sometimes from the savage den,
And sometimes from the darksome shade,
And sometimes starting up at once
In green and sunny glade,--
There came and looked him in the face
An angel beautiful and bright ;
And that he knew it was a Fiend,
This miserable Knight !
And that unknowing what he did,
He leaped amid a murderous band,
And saved from outrage worse than death
The Lady of the Land !
And how she wept, and clasped his knees ;
And how she tended him in vain--
And ever strove to expiate
The scorn that crazed his brain ;--
And that she nursed him in a cave ;
And how his madness went away,
When on the yellow forest-leaves
A dying man he lay ;--
His dying words--but when I reached
That tenderest strain of all the ditty,
My faultering voice and pausing harp
Disturbed her soul with pity !
All impulses of soul and sense
Had thrilled my guileless Genevieve ;
The music and the doleful tale,
The rich and balmy eve ;
And hopes, and fears that kindle hope,
An undistinguishable throng,
And gentle wishes long subdued,
Subdued and cherished long !
She wept with pity and delight,
She blushed with love, and virgin-shame ;
And like the murmur of a dream,
I heard her breathe my name.
Her bosom heaved--she stepped aside,
As conscious of my look she stepped--
The suddenly, with timorous eye
She fled to me and wept.
She half enclosed me with her arms,
She pressed me with a meek embrace ;
And bending back her head, looked up,
And gazed upon my face.
'Twas partly love, and partly fear,
And partly 'twas a bashful art,
That I might rather feel, than see,
The swelling of her heart.
I calmed her fears, and she was calm,
And told her love with virgin pride ;
And so I won my Genevieve,
My bright and beauteous Bride.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry and Love: A Deep Dive into Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Masterpiece
Samuel Taylor Coleridge is one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, and his work, "Poetry, Love," is a reflection of his passion for both poetry and love. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its relevance and significance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into Coleridge's work and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The Themes of Poetry and Love
"Poetry, Love" is a poem that explores the themes of poetry and love, and the relationship between the two. Coleridge argues that poetry and love are interconnected, and that they both have the power to inspire and uplift the human spirit. He believes that both poetry and love are expressions of the soul, and that they provide a window into the deepest aspects of our humanity.
The poem begins with Coleridge describing the power of poetry to transport us to another world, to evoke emotions and sensations that are beyond our everyday experience. He writes:
Oh! there is naught so sweet on earth, As the pure flow of lyric verse, That swells in pensive bosoms high, As the soft lay of native harmony!
Here, Coleridge is celebrating the beauty and power of poetry, and its ability to stir our emotions and connect us with something beyond ourselves. He goes on to argue that this power is intimately connected with the power of love, and that the two are inextricably linked.
For Coleridge, love is not just an emotion, but a force that can transform us and bring us closer to the divine. He writes:
And Love, too, hath its melodies, That breathe o'er the heart like summer seas, And wake a rapture in the soul, Like the wild music of the billow's roll.
Here, Coleridge is suggesting that love is not just a feeling, but a spiritual experience that can awaken us and lift us up. He believes that love and poetry are both expressions of the soul, and that they have the power to connect us with something greater than ourselves.
The Structure of the Poem
One of the most striking things about "Poetry, Love" is its structure. The poem is divided into two parts, each with a different tone and focus. The first part is focused on poetry, while the second part is focused on love. This division is not just thematic, but also reflects the structure of the poem itself. The first part is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines, while the second part is composed of three stanzas, each with six lines. This difference in structure creates a sense of contrast between the two parts, and emphasizes the different tones and moods that Coleridge is trying to convey.
The first part of the poem is characterized by a sense of wonder and awe at the power of poetry. Coleridge uses vivid imagery and rich language to evoke the beauty and magic of poetry, and to suggest its power to transport and elevate us. He writes:
Earth has no voice, no minstrelsy, To match sweet Poesy! The heavens, with all their hues of light, Have not a charm so purely bright.
Here, Coleridge is using language to create a sense of wonder and admiration for poetry. He is suggesting that poetry is a rare and precious thing, something that can lift us up and connect us with the divine.
The second part of the poem is more focused on love, and has a slightly different tone. Here, Coleridge is exploring the transformative power of love, and its ability to awaken us to new possibilities. He writes:
Love is the starry night of life, That sheds a holy calmness o'er the strife, And guides us, with a soft and steady light, To the pure realms of joy and peace and light.
Here, Coleridge is using language to create a sense of peace and serenity, suggesting that love has the power to calm our minds and awaken us to new possibilities. He is also suggesting that love is an inner journey, something that can lead us to the pure realms of joy and peace.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking things about "Poetry, Love" is the language that Coleridge uses. His language is rich and evocative, and he uses vivid imagery and metaphor to create a sense of wonder and magic. For example, he writes:
O! could we catch the spirit's tone, And blend our own high thoughts in one, The world would listen then, I ween, And own the harmony divine!
Here, Coleridge is using language to suggest the power of poetry to inspire and uplift us. He is also using metaphor to suggest that poetry is a kind of spiritual harmony, something that can connect us with the divine.
Coleridge also uses language to create a sense of contrast between the two parts of the poem. In the first part, he uses language that is rich and evocative, while in the second part, he uses language that is more simple and direct. This contrast creates a sense of balance between the two parts, and emphasizes the different tones and moods that Coleridge is trying to convey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, Love" is a masterpiece that explores the themes of poetry and love, and the relationship between the two. Coleridge argues that poetry and love are intimately connected, and that they both have the power to inspire and uplift the human spirit. He uses vivid imagery and rich language to create a sense of wonder and magic, and to suggest the transformative power of both poetry and love. The structure of the poem reflects its themes, and emphasizes the different tones and moods that Coleridge is trying to convey. Overall, "Poetry, Love" is a beautiful and inspiring work, and a testament to Coleridge's genius as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Love: A Masterpiece by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Love." This poem is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and inspire love. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, "All thoughts, all passions, all delights, / Whatever stirs this mortal frame, / All are but ministers of Love, / And feed his sacred flame." Here, the speaker is declaring that everything in life, including thoughts, passions, and delights, is ultimately connected to love. Love is the driving force behind everything, and it is what gives life its meaning and purpose.
The speaker goes on to say that poetry is the highest expression of love, saying, "Oft in my waking dreams do I / Live o'er again that happy hour, / When midway on the mount I lay, / Beside the ruined tower." Here, the speaker is reminiscing about a moment when he was surrounded by the beauty of nature and felt a deep connection to the world around him. He describes this moment as a "happy hour" and suggests that it is through poetry that he is able to relive this experience and feel the same sense of joy and wonder.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of reality and the role that poetry plays in shaping our perceptions of the world. He says, "For not to think of what I needs must feel, / But to be still and patient, all I can; / And haply by abstruse research to steal / From my own nature all the natural man." Here, the speaker is suggesting that poetry allows us to transcend our everyday experiences and connect with something deeper and more profound. By exploring the mysteries of the universe and the human condition, we are able to gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The poem then turns to a more personal note, as the speaker addresses his beloved directly and declares his love for her. He says, "Ah! how sweet it is to love! / Ah! how gay is young Desire! / And what pleasing pains we prove, / When we first approach Love's fire!" Here, the speaker is celebrating the joy and excitement of falling in love, and he suggests that it is through poetry that we are able to express these feelings and share them with others.
The poem then takes a more melancholy turn, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of loss. He says, "Yet soon obscurity may veil / Fraudulent joys, and visionary woes; / And fancy fond may soon assail, / And yet not dare to speak her woes." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that love is not always easy, and that it can be accompanied by pain and sorrow. He suggests that poetry allows us to confront these difficult emotions and find solace in the beauty of language and the power of the imagination.
The poem concludes with a powerful affirmation of the enduring power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. The speaker says, "And yet my heart with rapture thrills, / As if young Love were at my side; / And whispers in my ear, 'These hills / And vales shall still be dear to thee!'" Here, the speaker is suggesting that even though time may pass and circumstances may change, the beauty and power of poetry will always endure. It is through poetry that we are able to connect with the past, the present, and the future, and to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
In terms of literary devices, "Poetry Love" is a masterful example of Romantic poetry. Coleridge uses vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful metaphors to convey his ideas and emotions. He also employs a variety of poetic techniques, such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. The poem is also notable for its use of the natural world as a source of inspiration and beauty, which is a common theme in Romantic poetry.
In terms of historical context, "Poetry Love" was written during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The Romantic era was characterized by a rejection of the rationalism and materialism of the Enlightenment, and a renewed interest in the power of the imagination and the beauty of nature. Coleridge was part of a group of poets and writers known as the Lake Poets, who were based in the Lake District of England and were known for their celebration of the natural world and their exploration of the mysteries of the human condition.
In conclusion, "Poetry Love" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and inspire love. Through its vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful metaphors, the poem explores the themes of love, nature, and the human condition, and offers a powerful affirmation of the enduring power of poetry. It is a testament to the genius of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and a timeless expression of the beauty and power of language.
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