'Lord Ullin's Daughter' by Thomas Campbell


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A chieftain, to the Highlands bound,
Cries, ``Boatman, do not tarry!
And I'll give thee a silver pound
To row us o'er the ferry!''--

``Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,
This dark and stormy weather?''
``O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle,
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter.--

``And fast before her father's men
Three days we've fled together,
For should he find us in the glen,
My blood would stain the heather.

``His horsemen hard behind us ride;
Should they our steps discover,
Then who will cheer my bonny bride
When they have slain her lover?''--

Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,--
``I'll go, my chief--I'm ready:--
It is not for your silver bright;
But for your winsome lady:

``And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white,
I'll row you o'er the ferry.''--

By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking;
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking.

But still as wilder blew the wind,
And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armèd men,
Their trampling sounded nearer.--

``O haste thee, haste!'' the lady cries,
``Though tempests round us gather;
I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father.''--

The boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her,--
When, O! too strong for human hand,
The tempest gather'd o'er her.

And still they row'd amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing:
Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore,--
His wrath was changed to wailing.

For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,
His child he did discover:--
One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,
And one was round her lover.

``Come back! come back!'' he cried in grief
``Across this stormy water:
And I'll forgive your Highland chief,
My daughter!--O my daughter!''

'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,
Return or aid preventing:
The waters wild went o'er his child,
And he was left lamenting.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lord Ullin's Daughter by Thomas Campbell: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that makes your heart race and your eyes fill with tears? That's exactly what Lord Ullin's Daughter does to its readers. Written by Thomas Campbell, this poem is a timeless masterpiece of romantic poetry that tells a tragic tale of love and sacrifice.

Overview of the Poem

At its core, Lord Ullin's Daughter is a story of forbidden love. The poem tells the tale of a chieftain's daughter who falls in love with a young man of a lower rank. The lovers decide to flee across the stormy sea to start a new life together, but they are pursued by the girl's father and his men.

As they try to escape, the couple faces numerous obstacles, including harsh weather, treacherous waves, and the relentless pursuit of Lord Ullin and his men. The poem reaches its climax when the lovers are finally caught, and Lord Ullin threatens to kill the young man, forcing the girl to make a difficult choice between her love and her father's wrath.

Analysis of the Poem

One of the most striking features of Lord Ullin's Daughter is its vivid imagery. Campbell paints a picture of a stormy, tumultuous sea that perfectly captures the mood of the poem. The waves are described as "dark and swollen," and the wind is "howling" and "roaring." These descriptions create a sense of danger and urgency that draws the reader into the story and keeps them on the edge of their seat.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, the phrase "I'll row thee o'er the ferry" is repeated several times. This repetition serves to reinforce the young man's determination to help the girl escape, and also creates a sense of rhythm and pattern that gives the poem a musical quality.

The poem also contains several instances of foreshadowing, which adds to the sense of impending doom that pervades the story. For example, when the young man promises to row the girl across the sea, he says, "Fear not the stormy sky." This line is significant because it foreshadows the danger they will face on their journey.

In addition to its imagery and repetition, Lord Ullin's Daughter is notable for its use of symbolism. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the sea itself. The sea represents the vast expanse of the unknown, and the danger that lurks beneath its surface. It is also a symbol of freedom and escape, as the young couple sees it as the only way to be together.

Another key symbol in the poem is the boat. The boat represents the couple's journey together, and their hope for a better future. It is also a symbol of vulnerability and fragility, as it is at the mercy of the stormy sea and the pursuing men.

Finally, the poem is notable for its themes of love and sacrifice. The young couple's love for each other is so strong that they are willing to risk everything to be together. This love is contrasted with Lord Ullin's love for his daughter, which is overshadowed by his desire for power and control. In the end, the girl must make a sacrifice to save the man she loves, and the tragedy of their situation is felt deeply by the reader.

Conclusion

Overall, Lord Ullin's Daughter is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of romantic poetry. Its use of vivid imagery, repetition, symbolism, and themes of love and sacrifice make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. Just be sure to have a tissue handy, because it's sure to tug at your heartstrings.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lord Ullin's Daughter is a classic poem written by Thomas Campbell that tells the story of a young couple's attempt to elope. The poem is a beautiful and tragic tale that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of our actions. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and explore why it has remained a beloved classic for over two centuries.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the setting, which is the Scottish Highlands. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker describes the beauty of the landscape, but also the danger that lurks within it. The first stanza reads:

"A chieftain, to the Highlands bound, Cries, 'Boatman, do not tarry! And I'll give thee a silver pound To row us o'er the ferry!'"

These lines introduce us to the two main characters of the poem: the chieftain and his lover, the titular Lord Ullin's daughter. The chieftain is desperate to elope with her, and he offers the boatman a silver pound to row them across the ferry. The boatman is hesitant, warning them of the storm that is brewing, but the chieftain is determined to press on.

The second stanza introduces us to Lord Ullin, who is chasing after the couple with his men. He is angry and vengeful, and he is determined to stop them from escaping. The stanza reads:

"The boat has left the stormy land, A stormy sea before her, When, oh! too strong for human hand, The tempest gathered o'er her."

These lines set the stage for the rest of the poem, as the boat is caught in the storm and the couple's fate is sealed. The language is powerful and evocative, with words like "stormy" and "tempest" creating a sense of danger and foreboding.

The third stanza is where the poem really begins to shine. It is a masterful example of storytelling, as the speaker describes the couple's desperate attempt to escape. The stanza reads:

"And still they rowed amidst the roar Of waters fast prevailing: Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore; His wrath was changed to wailing."

These lines are incredibly powerful, as they describe the couple's struggle against the storm and Lord Ullin's pursuit. The language is vivid and evocative, with words like "roar" and "fast prevailing" creating a sense of urgency and danger. The final line of the stanza, "His wrath was changed to wailing," is particularly poignant, as it shows how Lord Ullin's anger has turned to despair as he realizes that he has lost his daughter forever.

The fourth stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the boatman makes a decision that will seal the couple's fate. The stanza reads:

"For, sore dismayed, through storm and shade His child he did discover: One lovely hand she stretched for aid, And one was round her lover."

These lines are incredibly powerful, as they show the boatman's dilemma. He is torn between his duty to Lord Ullin and his compassion for the young couple. The image of Lord Ullin's daughter stretching out her hand for aid is particularly poignant, as it shows her desperation and vulnerability.

The fifth stanza is the climax of the poem, as the boatman makes his decision and the couple meets their tragic end. The stanza reads:

"'Come back! come back!' he cried in grief, 'Across this stormy water: And I'll forgive your Highland chief, My daughter!-oh my daughter!'"

These lines are incredibly powerful, as they show Lord Ullin's desperation and grief. He realizes too late that his anger and pride have cost him his daughter's life. The language is vivid and evocative, with words like "grief" and "stormy water" creating a sense of tragedy and loss.

The final stanza is a haunting conclusion to the poem, as the speaker describes the aftermath of the tragedy. The stanza reads:

"'Twas vain: the loud waves lashed the shore, Return or aid preventing: The waters wild went o'er his child, And he was left lamenting."

These lines are incredibly powerful, as they show the finality of the couple's fate. The image of the "loud waves" lashing the shore is particularly haunting, as it shows the power of nature and the inevitability of death. The final line, "And he was left lamenting," is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it shows the lasting impact of the tragedy on Lord Ullin.

In terms of structure, Lord Ullin's Daughter is a ballad, which means that it is written in quatrains with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem also has a strong meter, with each line consisting of four stressed syllables followed by four unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a musical quality that is well-suited to its tragic subject matter.

In terms of language, Lord Ullin's Daughter is a masterful example of storytelling. The language is vivid and evocative, with powerful imagery and a strong sense of rhythm. The poem also makes use of repetition, with phrases like "stormy sea" and "Lord Ullin's daughter" appearing throughout the poem. This creates a sense of unity and coherence, and helps to reinforce the poem's themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of our actions.

In conclusion, Lord Ullin's Daughter is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and tragic tale that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of our actions. The poem's structure, language, and imagery are all masterful, and they work together to create a powerful and evocative story. Lord Ullin's Daughter is a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire us, and it is a classic that will continue to be beloved for generations to come.

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