'Rugby Chapel' by Matthew Arnold

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Coldly, sadly descends
The autumn evening. The Field
Strewn with its dank yellow-drifts
Of wither'd leaves, and the elms
Fade into dimness apace,
Silent; -- hardly a shout
From a few boys late at their play!
The lights come out in the street,
In the school-room windows; but cold,
Solemn, unlighted, austere,
Through the gathering darkness, arise
The Chapel walls, in whose bound
Thou, my father! art laid.

There thou dost lie, in the gloom
Of the autumn evening. But ah!
That word, gloom, to my mind
Brings thee back in the light
Of thy radiant vigour again!
In the gloom of November we pass'd
Days not of gloom at thy side;
Seasons' impair'd not the ray
Of thine even cheerfulness clear.
Such thou wast; and I stand
In the autumn evening, and think
Of bygone autumns with thee.

Fifteen years have gone round
Since thou arosest to tread,
In the summer morning, the road
Of death, at a call unforeseen,
Sudden. For fifteen years,
We who till then in thy shade
Rested as under the boughs
Of a mighty oak, have endured
Sunshine and rain as we might,
Bare, unshaded, alone,
Lacking the shelter of thee.
O strong soul, by what shore
Tarriest thou now? For that force,
Surely, has not bee left vain!
Somewhere, surely, afar,
In the sounding labour-house vast
Of being, is practised that strength,
Zealous, beneficint, firm!

Yes, in some far-shining sphere,
Conscious or not of the past,
Still thou performest the word
Of the Spirit in whom thou dost live,
Prompt, unwearied, as here!
Still thou upraisest with zeal
The humble good from the ground,
Sternly repressest the bad.
Still, like a trumpet, dost rouse
Those who with half-open eyes
Tread the border-land dim
'Twixt vice and virtue; reviv'st,
Succourest; -- this was thy work,
This was thy life upon earth.

What is the course of the life
Of mortal men on the earth? --
Most men eddy about
Here and there -- eat and drink,
Chatter and love and hate,
Gather and squander, are raised
Aloft, are hurl'd in the dust,
Striving blindly, achieving
Nothing; and, then they die --
Perish; and no one asks
Who or what they have been,
More than he asks what waves
In the moonlit solitudes mild
Of the midmost Ocean, have swell'd,
Foam'd for a moment, and gone.

And there are some, whom a thirst
Ardent, unquenchable, fires,
Not with the crowd to be spent,
Not without aim to go around
In an eddy of purposeless dust,
Effort unmeaning and vain.
Ah, yes, some of us strive
Not without action to die
Fruitless, but something to snatch
From dull oblivion, nor all
Glut the devouring grave!
We, we have chosen our path --
Path to a clear-purposed goal,
Path of advance! but it leads,
A long, steep journey, through sunk
Gorges, o'er mountains in snow!
Cheerful, with friends, we set forth;
Then, on the height, comes the storm!
Thunder crashes from rock
To rock, the cataracts reply;
Lightnings dazzle our eyes;
Roaring torrents have breach'd
The track, the stream-bed descends
In the place where the wayfarer once
Planted his footstep -- the spray
Boils o'er its borders; aloft,
The unseen snow-beds dislodge
Their hanging ruin; -- alas,
Havoc is made in our train!
Friends who set forth at our side
Falter, are lost in the storm!
We, we only, are left!
With frowning foreheads, with lips
Sternly compress'd, we strain on,
On -- and at nightfall, at last,
Come to the end of our way,
To the lonely inn 'mid the rocks;
Where the gaunt and taciturn Host
Stands on the threshold, the wind
Shaking his thin white hairs --
Holds his lantern to scan
Our storm-beat figures, and asks:
Whom in our party we bring?
Whom we have left in the snow?
Sadly we answer: We bring
Only ourselves; we lost
Sight of the rest in the storm.
Hardly ourselves we fought through,
Stripp'd, without friends, as we are.
Friends. companions, and train
The avalanche swept from our side.

But thou would'st not alone
Be saved, my father! alone
Conquer and come to thy goal,
Leaving the rest in the wild.
We were weary, and we
Fearful and we, in our march,
Fain to drop down and to die.
Still thou turnedst, and still
Beckonedst the trembler, and still
Gavest the weary thy hand!
If, in the paths of the world,
Stones might have wounded thy feet,
Toil or dejection have tried
Thy spirit, of that we saw
Nothing! to us thou wert still
Cheerful, and helpful, and firm.
Therefore to thee it was given
Many to save with thyself;
And, at the end of thy day,
O faithful shepherd! to come
Bringing thy sheep in thy hand.

And through thee I believe
In the noble and great who are gone;
Pure souls honour'd and blest
By former ages, who else --
Such, so soulless, so poor,
Is the race of men whom I see --
Seem'd but a dream of the heart,
Seem'd but a cry of desire.
Yes! I believe that there lived
Others like thee in the past,
Not like the men of the crowd
Who all round me to-day
Bluster or cringe, and make life
Hideous, and arid, and vile;
But souls temper'd with fire,
Fervent, heroic, and good,
Helpers and friends of mankind.

Servants of God! -- or sons
Shall I not call you? because
Not as servants ye knew
Your Father's innermost mind,
His, who unwillingly sees
One of his little ones lost --
Yours is the praise, if mankind
Hath not as yet in its march
Fainted, and fallen, and died!

See! in the rocks of the world
Marches the host of mankind,
A feeble, wavering line.
Where are they tending? -- A God
Marshall'd them, gave them their goal. --
Ah, but the way is so long!
Years they have been in the wild!
Sore thirst plagues them; the rocks,
Rising all round, overawe.
Factions divide them; their host
Threatens to break, to dissolve.
Ah, keep, keep them combined!
Else, of the myriads who fill
That army, not one shall arrive!
Sole they shall stray; in the rocks
Labour for ever in vain,
Die one by one in the waste.

Then, in such hour of need
Of your fainting, dispirited race,
Ye, like angels, appear,
Radiant with ardour divine.
Beacons of hope, ye appear!
Languor is not in your heart,
Weakness is not in your word,
Weariness not in your brow.
Ye alight in our van; at your voice
Panic, depair, flee away.
Ye move through the ranks, recall
The stragglers, refresh the outworn,
Praise, re-inspire the brave.
Order, courage, return.
Eyes rekindling, and prayers,
Follow your steps as ye go.
Ye fill up the gaps in our files,
Strengthen the wavering line,
Stablish, continue our march,
On, to the bound of the waste,
On, to the City of God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Melancholy in Rugby Chapel by Matthew Arnold

Have you ever encountered a poem that has the power to tug at your heartstrings and transport you to an emotional state of melancholy? If you haven't, then you must read Rugby Chapel by Matthew Arnold. This poem is a masterpiece of Victorian-era literature that captures the essence of human emotions and the fleetingness of life.

Overview

Rugby Chapel is a poem that Matthew Arnold wrote in 1857. The poem is a tribute to the memory of Arnold's father, who was the headmaster of Rugby School. Arnold expresses his grief and longing for his father with beautiful words and poetic devices that evoke deep emotions in readers.

The poem is divided into three parts, each with its own distinct tone and atmosphere. The first part is a description of the Rugby Chapel, which was built in memory of Arnold's father. The second part is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The third part is a prayer for the eternal peace of Arnold's father.

Analysis

Part One: The Rugby Chapel

The first part of the poem is a beautiful description of the Rugby Chapel. Arnold uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to paint a picture of the chapel and its surroundings. He describes the "long-drawn aisle" and the "stately columns" that support the roof of the chapel. He also mentions the "solemn organ" that fills the chapel with music.

The language in this part of the poem is formal and ornate. Arnold's use of long, flowing sentences and complex syntax creates a sense of grandeur and majesty. The tone of the poem is reverential and respectful, as if Arnold is paying homage to the memory of his father through the description of the chapel that was built in his honor.

Part Two: Reflection on Life and Death

And as, methinks, Slowly toward the silent town The still stream drifted down, So seemed it with thy life,

The language in this part of the poem is more somber and reflective than in the first part. Arnold's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of melancholy and sadness. The tone of the poem is introspective, as if Arnold is contemplating the meaning of life and death.

Part Three: Prayer for Eternal Peace

The third part of the poem is a prayer for the eternal peace of Arnold's father. Arnold asks God to grant his father peace and rest in the afterlife. He writes:

Grant him, O Lord, we pray, Eternal rest, and, through the eternal years, Let light perpetual shine upon him.

The language in this part of the poem is more solemn and reverential than in the second part. Arnold's use of religious language creates a sense of reverence and humility. The tone of the poem is hopeful, as if Arnold is seeking comfort and solace through his prayer.

Interpretation

Rugby Chapel is a poem that captures the essence of human emotions and the fleetingness of life. Arnold's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and poetic devices creates a powerful emotional impact on readers. The poem is a tribute to the memory of Arnold's father, but it is also a reflection on the universal themes of life and death.

The first part of the poem is a description of the Rugby Chapel, which represents the physical embodiment of Arnold's father's legacy. The language in this part of the poem is formal and ornate, reflecting the grandeur and majesty of the chapel.

The second part of the poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Arnold uses the metaphor of a river to convey the idea that life is fleeting and constantly flowing towards its inevitable end. The language in this part of the poem is more somber and reflective, reflecting the melancholy and sadness that comes with the realization that life is fleeting.

The third part of the poem is a prayer for the eternal peace of Arnold's father. Arnold asks God to grant his father peace and rest in the afterlife. The language in this part of the poem is more solemn and reverential, reflecting the sense of reverence and humility that comes with seeking solace in prayer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rugby Chapel is a poem that captures the beauty of melancholy and the fleetingness of life. Arnold's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and poetic devices creates a powerful emotional impact on readers. The poem is a tribute to the memory of Arnold's father, but it is also a reflection on the universal themes of life and death. If you haven't read this poem yet, you must. It will leave an indelible impression on your soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Rugby Chapel: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry

Matthew Arnold, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers today. Rugby Chapel is a powerful and moving piece of poetry that explores themes of faith, mortality, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic work of literature.

The poem is set in Rugby School, where Arnold was a student and later a teacher. The Rugby Chapel was a place of worship for the students and staff of the school, and it is the central focus of the poem. Arnold begins by describing the chapel's architecture and its history, highlighting its beauty and grandeur. He then shifts his focus to the people who worship there, describing their devotion and their struggles.

Arnold's use of language is masterful, and he employs a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message. The poem is written in blank verse, which gives it a natural and conversational tone. The use of enjambment, where lines run on without punctuation, creates a sense of flow and movement, as if the poem is a continuous stream of thought. Arnold also uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact.

The central theme of the poem is the struggle between faith and doubt. Arnold portrays the chapel as a place of refuge and comfort for those who are struggling with their faith. He describes the students and staff as "weary, worn, and sad," and suggests that they come to the chapel seeking solace and guidance. The chapel is a place where they can find peace and strength to face the challenges of life.

Arnold also acknowledges the doubts and uncertainties that can arise in the face of adversity. He describes the "doubt and pain" that can afflict even the most devout believers, and suggests that these struggles are a natural part of the human experience. He writes, "Ah, when shall all men's good / Be each man's rule, and universal Peace / Lie like a shaft of light across the land?"

Arnold's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the emotional impact of the poem. He describes the chapel as a "solemn temple," a place of "holy calm," and a "shrine of peace." These images create a sense of reverence and awe, and suggest that the chapel is a sacred space where the divine and the human meet. Arnold also uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of beauty and harmony. He writes of "the long, bright river" and "the green, sweet grass," which suggest a world of natural beauty and abundance.

The poem also explores the theme of mortality, and the inevitability of death. Arnold acknowledges that life is fleeting, and that we are all subject to the ravages of time. He writes, "But that deep world which lies beneath / Hath not for us its calm and holy breath." This suggests that there is a deeper reality beyond the physical world, and that death is not the end of our existence.

Arnold's use of religious imagery is also significant. He describes the chapel as a "shrine of peace," and suggests that it is a place where the divine and the human meet. He writes, "And here, in this low Paradise, / This little Eden, planted midst the waste, / One fountain may be ours, whose waters rise / Within us, springing up unto eternal life." This suggests that the chapel is a place of spiritual renewal, where we can connect with the divine and find meaning and purpose in our lives.

In conclusion, Rugby Chapel is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores themes of faith, mortality, and the human condition. Arnold's use of language, imagery, and poetic techniques is masterful, and he creates a powerful and moving portrait of the chapel and its worshippers. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us, and it remains a classic work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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