'The Passions' by William Collins
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1740An Ode for MusicWhen Music, heavenly maid, was young,
While yet in early Greece she sung,
The Passions oft, to hear her shell,
Thronged around her magic cell,
Exulting, trembling, raging, fainting,
Possest beyond the Muse's painting:
By turns they felt the glowing mind
Disturbed, delighted, raised, refined;
Till once, 'tis said, when all were fired,
Filled with fury, rapt, inspired,
From the supporting myrtles round
They snatched her instruments of sound,
And, as they oft had heard apart
Sweet lessons of her forceful art,
Each (for Madness ruled the hour)
Would prove his own expressive power.First Fear his hand, its skill to try,
Amid the chords bewildered laid,
And back recoiled, he knew not why,
E'en at the sound himself had made.Next Anger rushed, his eyes on fire,
In lightnings owned his secret stings:
In one rude clash he struck the lyre,
And swept with hurried hand the strings.With woful measures wan Despair
Low sullen sounds his grief beguiled;
A solemn, strange, and mingled air,
'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild.But thou, O Hope, with eyes so fair,
What was thy delighted measure?
Still it whispered promised pleasure,
And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail!
Still would her touch the strain prolong;
And from the rocks, the woods, the vale,
She called on Echo still, through all the song,
And, where her sweetest theme she chose,
A soft responsive voice was heard at every close;
And Hope enchanted smiled, and waved her golden hair.
And longer had she sung;-but, with a frown,
Revenge impatient rose:
He threw his blood-stained sword in thunder down;
And, with a withering look,
The war-denouncing trumpet took,
And blew a blast so loud and dread,
Were ne'er prophetic sounds so full of woe!
And ever and anon he beat
The doubling drum with furious heat;
And though sometimes each dreary pause between
Dejected Pity, at his side,
Her soul-subduing voice applied,
Yet still he kept his wild unaltered mien,
While each strained ball of sight seemed bursting from his head.
Thy numbers, Jealousy, to nought were fixed:
Sad proof of thy distressful state!
Of differing themes the veering song was mixed;
And now it courted Love, now raving called on Hate.
With eyes up-raised, as one inspired,
Pale Melancholy sat retired;
And from her wild sequestered seat,
In notes, by distance made more sweet,
Poured through the mellow horn her pensive soul;
And, dashing soft from rocks around,
Bubbling runnels joined the sound;
Through glades and glooms the mingled measure stole,
Or, o'er some haunted stream, with fond delay,
Round an holy calm diffusing,
Love of Peace, and lonely musing,
In hollow murmurs died away.
But Oh! how altered was its sprightlier tone
When Cheerfulness, a nymph of healthiest hue,
Her bow across her shoulder flung,
Her buskins gemmed with morning dew,
Blew an inspiring air that dale and thicket rung
The hunter's call, to Faun and Dryad known!
The oak-crowned Sisters, and their chaste-eyed Queen,
Satyrs and Sylvan Boys, were seen
Peeping from forth their alleys green:
Brown Exercise rejoiced to hear;
And Sport leapt up, and seized his beechen spear.
Last came Joy's ecstatic trial:
He, with viny crown advancing,
First to the lively pipe his hand addrest;
But soon he saw the brisk awakening viol,
Whose sweet entrancing voice he loved the best:
They would have thought who heard the strain
They saw, in Tempe's vale, her native maids
Amidst the festal-sounding shades
To some unwearied minstrel dancing,
While, as his flying fingers kissed the strings,
Love framed with Mirth a gay fantastic round:
Loose were her tresses seen, her zone unbound;
And he, amidst his frolic play,
As if he would the charming air repay,
Shook thousand odours from his dewy wings.O Music, sphere-descended maid,
Friend of Pleasure, Wisdom's aid!
Why, goddess, why, to us denied,
Lay'st thou thy ancient lyre aside?
As, in that loved Athenian bower,
You learned an all-commanding power,
Thy mimic soul, O Nymph endeared,
Can well recall what then it heard;
Where is thy native simple heart,
Devote to Virtue, Fancy, Art?
Arise, as in that elder time,
Warm, energetic, chaste, sublime!
Thy wonders, in that godlike age,
Fill thy recording Sister's page-'Tis said, and I believe the tale,
Thy humblest reed could more prevail,
Had more of strength, diviner rage,
Than all which charms this laggard age;
E'en all at once together found
Cecilia's mingled world of sound-O! bid our vain endeavours cease:
Revive the just designs of Greece:
Return in all thy simple state!
Confirm the tales her sons relate!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Passions: A Deep Dive into William Collins’ Masterpiece
William Collins’ “The Passions” is a beautiful piece of poetry that takes the reader through a journey of emotions. The poem is packed with vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism that make it a classic work of romantic literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we’ll dive deep into the poem and explore its themes, style, and meaning. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Themes
“The Passions” is a poem that explores the different emotions that we experience as human beings. Collins divides these emotions into six categories: Pity, Love, Fear, Hope, Jealousy, and Despair. Each of these themes is explored in depth, and Collins uses various literary techniques to convey their meaning.
Pity
In the first stanza, Collins describes Pity as a “gentle Power” that can “soften all the soul to Love”. He personifies Pity, describing her as a “fair-haired Maid” who “listens to the poor man’s prayer”. The theme of Pity is explored in more detail in the second stanza, where Collins uses a metaphor to describe how Pity “melts the mind to love”. He compares the heart to a “stone” that is “hardened” by life’s troubles. Pity, however, is like the “sun” that “dissolves” the stone and makes it “yield to softness”.
Love
Love is the second theme explored in the poem. Collins describes Love as a “mighty king” who can “rule the heart”. He uses a metaphor to describe Love as a “gentle flame” that “burns within the breast”. The third stanza explores Love in more detail, with Collins describing how it can “make the heart with passion glow”. He also describes how Love can be a “cruel master”, causing “many a bitter tear”.
Fear
The third theme explored in the poem is Fear. Collins describes Fear as a “trembling slave” who is “cruel and severe”. He uses a metaphor to describe Fear as a “poisoned shaft” that “pierces deep the fearful breast”. The fourth stanza explores Fear in more detail, with Collins describing how it can “freeze the current of the soul”. He also describes how Fear can be a “cruel tyrant”, causing “many a bitter pang”.
Hope
Hope is the fourth theme explored in the poem. Collins describes Hope as a “cheerful ray” that can “gild the darkest day”. He uses a metaphor to describe Hope as a “blossom” that “springs within the breast”. The fifth stanza explores Hope in more detail, with Collins describing how it can “lift the heart from earthly woe”. He also describes how Hope can be a “gentle friend”, causing “many a joyous hour”.
Jealousy
The fifth theme explored in the poem is Jealousy. Collins describes Jealousy as a “green-eyed monster” who can “torture and torment”. He uses a metaphor to describe Jealousy as a “serpent” that “stings the heart with jealous pain”. The sixth stanza explores Jealousy in more detail, with Collins describing how it can “poison all the springs of life”. He also describes how Jealousy can be a “cruel foe”, causing “many a bitter strife”.
Despair
The final theme explored in the poem is Despair. Collins describes Despair as a “dreadful fiend” who can “torture and torment”. He uses a metaphor to describe Despair as a “night” that “overspreads the soul”. The seventh and final stanza explores Despair in more detail, with Collins describing how it can “sink the heart in silent gloom”. He also describes how Despair can be a “cruel tyrant”, causing “many a bitter tear”.
Style
Collins’ style is one of the most notable features of “The Passions”. The poem is written in a lyrical style, with each stanza containing four lines of rhymed verse. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of metaphors and personification also adds to the poem’s lyrical quality.
The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, with Collins using words and phrases that create strong mental pictures. For example, in the second stanza, Collins describes how Pity “melts the mind to love”. This metaphor creates a powerful image of a hardened heart being softened by the warmth of Pity.
Another notable feature of Collins’ style is his use of repetition. The phrase “cruel and severe” is repeated twice in the third stanza to describe Fear. This repetition emphasizes the destructive nature of Fear and adds to the poem’s overall sense of despair.
Meaning
“The Passions” is a poem that explores the human experience of emotions. Collins’ use of metaphors and personification creates a sense of empathy for the different emotions that we all experience. The poem also highlights the destructive nature of certain emotions, such as Fear, Jealousy, and Despair.
One of the main messages of the poem is that emotions can be both powerful and destructive. Love, for example, can bring joy and happiness, but it can also cause pain and suffering. Similarly, Fear, Jealousy, and Despair can all have devastating effects on our mental and emotional wellbeing.
Another message of the poem is that emotions are interconnected. Pity, for example, can lead to Love, while Fear can lead to Despair. Collins’ use of metaphors and personification creates a sense of fluidity between the different emotions, emphasizing how they can all influence and affect each other.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Passions” is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the human experience of emotions. Collins’ use of metaphors, personification, and repetition creates a sense of empathy and understanding for the different emotions that we all experience. The poem also highlights the destructive nature of certain emotions, while emphasizing the interconnectedness of all our feelings. “The Passions” is a classic work of romantic literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and feelings that are otherwise difficult to articulate. One such poem that captures the essence of human emotions is "The Passions" by William Collins. This classic poem is a beautiful portrayal of the different passions that govern human life. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its various aspects.
The poem "The Passions" is divided into four parts, each representing a different passion. The first part is titled "Melancholy," which is a feeling of sadness and gloominess. The poet describes this passion as a "pensive nun" who "hides her sorrows" and "mourns in silence." The imagery used here is quite powerful, as it portrays the melancholic state of mind as a nun who is secluded from the world and is lost in her own thoughts. The poet further describes how this passion can be both a blessing and a curse. While it can lead to introspection and self-discovery, it can also lead to despair and hopelessness.
The second part of the poem is titled "Love," which is a feeling of affection and attachment towards someone or something. The poet describes this passion as a "youthful knight" who is "bold in deeds of arms." The imagery used here is quite vivid, as it portrays love as a young knight who is brave and courageous. The poet further describes how this passion can be both a source of joy and pain. While it can bring happiness and fulfillment, it can also lead to heartbreak and disappointment.
The third part of the poem is titled "Hope," which is a feeling of optimism and expectation. The poet describes this passion as a "fairer maid" who "attends on life." The imagery used here is quite beautiful, as it portrays hope as a young and beautiful maid who is always present in our lives. The poet further describes how this passion can be both a source of strength and weakness. While it can inspire us to strive for better things, it can also lead to disappointment and disillusionment.
The fourth and final part of the poem is titled "Joy," which is a feeling of happiness and pleasure. The poet describes this passion as a "jocund elf" who "laughs to scorn." The imagery used here is quite playful, as it portrays joy as a mischievous elf who is always laughing and mocking. The poet further describes how this passion can be both a source of delight and danger. While it can bring happiness and contentment, it can also lead to recklessness and folly.
Overall, the poem "The Passions" is a beautiful portrayal of the different emotions that govern human life. The poet has used powerful imagery and metaphors to describe each passion, which makes the poem quite engaging and thought-provoking. The poem also highlights the duality of each passion, as it can be both a source of strength and weakness.
In conclusion, "The Passions" by William Collins is a classic poem that captures the essence of human emotions. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the different passions that govern human life and highlights the duality of each passion. The imagery used in the poem is quite powerful, which makes it engaging and thought-provoking. Overall, this poem is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of human emotions.
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