'England to America' by Katharine Lee Bates
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And what of thee, O Lincoln's Land? What gloom
Is darkening above the Sunset Sea?
Vowed Champion of Liberty, deplume
Thy war-crest, bow thy knee,
Before God answer thee.
What talk is thine of rebels? Didst thou turn,
My very child, thy vaunted sword on me,
To scoff to-day at patriot fires that burn
In hearts unbound to thee,
Flames of the Sunset Sea?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, England to America by Katharine Lee Bates
Poetry has been an integral part of human civilization for centuries. It has not only served as a means of entertainment but has also been a powerful tool to express thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. In this context, Katharine Lee Bates' "Poetry, England to America" is a masterpiece that reflects the essence of poetry.
Background
Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at the background. Katharine Lee Bates, an American author and poet, wrote this poem in 1914. She was a professor of English literature at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and had a great interest in poetry. The poem was published in her collection of poems, "Yellow Clover: A Book of Remembrance" in 1922.
The poem
"Poetry, England to America" is a ten-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is a tribute to English poetry and the influence it has had on American poetry. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem. Let's take a look:
Out of the East, one golden morning,
The fairies came with a crown of thorn,
And said, "Here is your kingdom's warning,
To save it, wear it, your crown of scorn."
The fairies refer to the English poets who brought their poetry to America. The crown of thorn symbolizes the hardships that American poets had to face to establish themselves. The stanza emphasizes the importance of English poetry in shaping American poetry.
The second stanza introduces the concept of the muse:
They gave you the dream, the sudden desire,
The divine unrest, the infinite fire,
And bade you fashion with cunning hand
The music they taught you in elfin land.
The muse is a crucial concept in poetry. It is the source of inspiration that drives poets to create. The stanza highlights the role of English poetry in providing inspiration to American poets.
In the third stanza, Bates mentions the great English poets who influenced American poetry:
Milton, the lord of Paradise,
Shakespeare, the master of laughing-wise,
Keats, with the singing soul of a bird,
And Shelley, the dreamer of dreams unheard.
John Milton, William Shakespeare, John Keats, and Percy Bysshe Shelley are some of the greatest English poets of all time. They have had a profound influence on American poetry, and this stanza pays tribute to their contribution.
The fourth stanza talks about how American poets have embraced English poetry:
You took their rhymes like a lover's kiss,
You felt their passion and pain and bliss,
And out of the magic that thrilled your heart
You fashioned a beauty that ne'er shall depart.
American poets have not only been inspired by English poetry but have also embraced it. They have taken English poetry and created something new and unique. This stanza highlights the creativity of American poets.
The fifth stanza talks about the power of poetry:
You chanted the armies on to war,
You sang the nations into the peace they bore,
You taught the hearts of men to thrill,
You 'urged the slow world's heavy mill."
Poetry has the power to move people, and this stanza highlights the impact of poetry on society. It has been used to inspire people to fight for their country, to bring about peace, and to create change.
In the sixth stanza, Bates talks about the different forms of poetry:
You wove the sonnet, you built the rhyme,
You fashioned the ode in the olden time,
And now you are fashioning a new,
With rhythm and rime and a meaning true.
Poetry comes in many different forms, and this stanza highlights the creativity of poets in creating new forms of poetry.
The seventh stanza talks about the importance of poetry in preserving culture:
You kept the treasure of olden song,
You guarded the wisdom the wise men long,
And now you are making your music new
With the color and life of the land you knew.
Poetry has been used to preserve culture and tradition. American poets have taken English poetry and infused it with the culture and life of America.
In the eighth stanza, Bates talks about the universality of poetry:
You spoke the heart of a race to men,
You echoed the human voice again,
And now you are breathing a wider breath
With the faith of life and the fear of death.
Poetry speaks to the human experience. It transcends time and culture and connects people across the world.
In the ninth stanza, Bates talks about the future of poetry:
So you, who have caught the measure fine,
The magic of sound in that measure's line,
Go singing on to the ages new
With the hope of man and the truth of you.
The future of poetry is bright, and American poets are poised to take it to new heights.
Finally, in the tenth stanza, Bates sums up the essence of the poem:
Out of the East, one golden morning,
The fairies came with their crown of thorn,
And bade you take with a smile of scorning
The poet's heritage, England born.
English poetry is the heritage of American poetry. American poets have embraced it, molded it, and created something new and unique.
Interpretation
"Poetry, England to America" is a tribute to English poetry and the influence it has had on American poetry. The poem highlights the creativity of American poets in taking English poetry and creating something new and unique. It also emphasizes the power of poetry to move people and bring about change.
Bates' use of the fairies as a metaphor for the English poets is brilliant. It adds a magical quality to the poem and emphasizes the importance of English poetry in shaping American poetry.
The use of the muse as a concept is also significant. It highlights the role of inspiration in poetry and emphasizes the importance of English poetry in providing inspiration to American poets.
The poem also highlights the diversity of poetry. Bates talks about the different forms of poetry and how American poets have created new forms of poetry. She also talks about the universality of poetry, which connects people across time and culture.
Overall, "Poetry, England to America" is a beautiful tribute to poetry. Bates' love for poetry is evident in every line of the poem. It is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to inspire, move, and connect people.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for people across the globe. It has the power to evoke emotions, inspire change, and bring people together. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "England to America" by Katharine Lee Bates. This classic poem is a beautiful tribute to the bond between England and America, and it has captured the hearts of people for generations.
Katharine Lee Bates was an American poet, songwriter, and professor of English literature. She was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1859, and she grew up in a family that valued education and literature. Bates was a prolific writer, and she wrote many poems, essays, and articles throughout her life. However, her most famous work is "America the Beautiful," which she wrote in 1893. "England to America" was written in 1917, during World War I, and it reflects the deep connection between England and America.
The poem begins with the line, "O mother of a mighty race, yet lovely in thy youthful grace!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the relationship between England and America as that of a mother and child. The use of the word "lovely" to describe England's "youthful grace" is a nod to England's history and culture, which have influenced America in many ways.
The second stanza of the poem talks about the "mighty race" that America has become, and how it has grown and flourished under England's guidance. The line "Thy children cluster to thy breast, the guardians of thy fame" is a reference to the many Americans who fought in World War I alongside the British. It is a reminder that America and England share a common history and a common destiny.
The third stanza of the poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the war. The line "Thy heroes, in their battle dress, are rallying to thy name" is a powerful image of soldiers marching to war, ready to defend their country and their allies. The use of the word "heroes" is significant, as it acknowledges the sacrifice and bravery of those who fought in the war.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action for America to join the war effort. The line "O, let thy voice be heard afar, thy trumpet-call to arms!" is a plea for America to join the fight and defend its allies. It is a reminder that America has a duty to protect its friends and allies, and that it cannot stand idly by while others fight for their freedom.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the bond between England and America. The line "Thy hand in ours, we face the world, with hearts that beat as one" is a powerful image of two nations standing together, united in their cause. It is a reminder that despite their differences, England and America share a common bond that cannot be broken.
Overall, "England to America" is a beautiful tribute to the relationship between England and America. It is a reminder that despite their differences, these two nations share a common history and a common destiny. The poem is a call to action for America to join the war effort, but it is also a celebration of the bond between these two great nations. Katharine Lee Bates has captured the essence of this relationship in her poem, and it continues to inspire and move people to this day.
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