'And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?' by George Gordon, Lord Byron
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And wilt thou weep when I am low?
Sweet lady! speak those words again:
Yet if they grieve thee, say not so---
I would not give that bosom pain.
My heart is sad, my hopes are gone,
My blood runs coldly through my breast;
And when I perish, thou alone
Wilt sigh above my place of rest.
And yet, methinks, a gleam of peace
Doth through my cloud of anguish shine:
And for a while my sorrows cease,
To know thy heart hath felt for mine.
Oh lady! blessd be that tear---
It falls for one who cannot weep;
Such precious drops are doubly dear
To those whose eyes no tear may steep.
Sweet lady! once my heart was warm
With every feeling soft as thine;
But Beauty's self hath ceased to charm
A wretch created to repine.
Yet wilt thou weep when I am low ?
Sweet lady! speak those words again:
Yet if they grieve thee, say not so---
I would not give that bosom pain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" by Lord Byron: A Critique
Oh, how beautifully sorrowful Lord Byron's "And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" is. This poem is nothing short of a masterpiece, an epitome of the Romantic era's melancholy and longing.
For those unfamiliar with this poem, "And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" is an ode to love and the inevitable fate of death. The narrator, presumably Byron himself, addresses his lover, questioning whether she will weep for him when he is gone. He talks about the fleeting nature of life and how, no matter how much we want to hold onto it, we will all eventually perish.
The title of the poem itself is striking. The use of the archaic word "wilt" gives the poem a sense of timelessness, as if Byron is speaking to us from beyond the grave. The word "weep" is also significant, as it emphasizes the sorrowful nature of the poem. It's almost as if Byron is daring his lover to grieve for him when he's gone, testing the depth of her love and devotion.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for what's to come. Byron writes:
"And wilt thou weep when I am low, Sweet lady! speak those words again: Yet if they grieve thee, say not so— I would not give that bosom pain."
Here, we see Byron addressing his lover, asking if she will weep for him when he is "low," or dead. The repetition of "weep" emphasizes the intense emotion that Byron is trying to convey. He then goes on to say that he doesn't want to cause her pain, showing his concern and love for her.
The second stanza is where Byron really starts to explore the theme of mortality. He writes:
"My heart is sad, my hopes are gone, My blood runs coldly through my breast; And when I perish, thou alone Wilt sigh above my place of rest."
Byron is expressing his own sadness and hopelessness, stating that his "heart is sad" and his "hopes are gone." He then goes on to say that when he dies, his lover will be the only one to mourn him. This is a powerful statement, as it emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the fact that, in the end, we all die alone.
The third stanza is perhaps the most haunting of them all. Byron writes:
"And yet, methinks, a gleam of peace Doth through my cloud of anguish shine: And for a while my sorrows cease, To know thy heart hath felt for mine."
Here, Byron is acknowledging the fact that, even in the face of death, there is a glimmer of hope. He finds comfort in the fact that his lover has felt for him and understands his pain. This stanza is particularly powerful, as it shows how love can provide solace even in the darkest of times.
The fourth stanza is where Byron really brings home the theme of death. He writes:
"Oh lady! blessèd be that tear— It falls for one who cannot weep; Such precious drops are doubly dear To those whose eyes no tear may steep."
Byron is acknowledging that, in death, he will not be able to weep for himself. Instead, he finds comfort in the fact that his lover will weep for him. This is a poignant moment, as it emphasizes the importance of mourning and grieving for those we have lost.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close. Byron writes:
"Sweet lady! once my heart was warm With every feeling soft as thine; But beauty flies, and passion's storm Is far more fatal, if not as brief as mine."
Here, Byron is acknowledging that, even though he once had passion and beauty, those things are fleeting. He is also acknowledging the fact that his own death will be brief, but the storm of passion that he once had was equally fatal.
In conclusion, "And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" is a powerful ode to love and the inevitable fate of death. Byron's use of language is haunting and beautiful, emphasizing the sorrowful nature of the poem. This poem is truly a masterpiece, an epitome of the Romantic era's emphasis on emotion and melancholy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low? - A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
George Gordon, Lord Byron, was one of the most prominent poets of the Romantic era. His works are known for their emotional intensity, vivid imagery, and lyrical beauty. Among his many famous poems, "And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" stands out as a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem and understand why it has become a classic of English literature.
The poem is a love song addressed to an unnamed woman. It begins with a question, "And wilt thou weep when I am low?" The speaker is asking his beloved if she will still love him and mourn for him when he is no longer young and handsome. The question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of love and the inevitability of death.
The first stanza of the poem is a description of the speaker's physical decline. He compares himself to a "withered leaf" and a "fading flower" and laments the passing of his youth. The imagery is vivid and poignant, evoking the fragility and transience of human life. The speaker's tone is melancholic, but there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation. He knows that he cannot escape the ravages of time, but he hopes that his beloved will still love him despite his physical decay.
The second stanza of the poem is a plea to the speaker's beloved to remember him after he is gone. He asks her to "plant a heart where mine has been" and to "water it with tears." The imagery of planting and watering is a metaphor for the nurturing of love. The speaker is asking his beloved to keep his memory alive and to continue to love him even after he is no longer there. The language is emotional and passionate, reflecting the intensity of the speaker's feelings.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love. The speaker compares love to a "bright star" that shines in the darkness. He acknowledges that love can be fleeting and fragile, but he also believes that it can endure beyond death. The imagery of the star is a powerful symbol of hope and transcendence. The speaker is suggesting that even though his physical body may die, his love will continue to shine like a star in the night sky.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a reaffirmation of the speaker's love for his beloved. He declares that he will love her "till the silent tomb shall claim / its tenant, thee, and me." The language is passionate and intense, reflecting the speaker's deep commitment to his beloved. The image of the "silent tomb" is a reminder of the inevitability of death, but the speaker's love transcends even death itself.
The themes of the poem are love, mortality, and the power of memory. The poem explores the nature of love and its ability to endure beyond physical death. It also acknowledges the inevitability of mortality and the fragility of human life. The power of memory is also a central theme of the poem. The speaker is asking his beloved to remember him after he is gone and to keep his memory alive through her love.
The imagery of the poem is rich and evocative. The use of natural imagery, such as the withered leaf and the fading flower, creates a sense of transience and impermanence. The metaphor of the star is a powerful symbol of hope and transcendence. The language is emotional and passionate, reflecting the intensity of the speaker's feelings.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition and rhyme. The repetition of the phrase "And wilt thou weep when I am low?" creates a sense of continuity and unity throughout the poem. The rhyme scheme is also carefully crafted, with each stanza following an ABAB rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, reinforcing the themes of the poem.
In conclusion, "And Wilt Thou Weep When I Am Low?" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. It explores the themes of love, mortality, and memory with emotional intensity and lyrical beauty. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the language is passionate and intense. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit. It is a classic of English literature and a testament to the genius of Lord Byron.
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