'The Lake Isle' by Ezra Pound


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O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves,
Give me in due time, I beseech you, a little tobacco-shop,
With the little bright boxes
piled up neatly upon the shelves
And the loose fragrant cavendish
and the shag,
And the bright Virginia
loose under the bright glass cases,
And a pair of scales not too greasy,
And the whores dropping in for a word or two in passing,
For a flip word, and to tidy their hair a bit.

O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves,
Lend me a little tobacco-shop,
or install me in any profession
Save this damn'd profession of writing,
where one needs one's brains all the time.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Depth of "The Lake Isle" by Ezra Pound

As a literary work, poetry has the power to express human emotions and experiences in a unique and creative way. It can be an outlet for the deepest feelings and thoughts that cannot be expressed through regular language. One such poem that captures this essence is "The Lake Isle" by Ezra Pound. This poem speaks to the soul, invoking a sense of peace and tranquility that is both profound and beautiful.

The Poem Itself

But first, let us begin by reading the poem.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

The poem is written in free verse and is divided into three stanzas. It follows a simple rhyme scheme and is written in a conversational tone. The first stanza sets the scene as the speaker declares his intention to visit Innisfree and build a small, rustic cabin where he will live alone. In the second stanza, he describes the peace that he will find there, the tranquility that drops with the morning dew and the sound of the cricket's song. The third and final stanza brings the poem to a close as the speaker states his reason for going to Innisfree, which is the constant sound of lake water lapping on the shore, a sound that he hears in his deepest heart.

Interpretation and Analysis

At first glance, "The Lake Isle" seems to be a simple poem about a man who wishes to escape the noise and chaos of the city in search of solitude and peace. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be much more complex and nuanced than it appears. Ezra Pound was known for his imagist style of writing, which focused on the use of vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke emotions and experiences. This poem is no exception.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with sensory imagery that paints a vivid picture of the speaker's destination. He describes the cabin he will build as being made of clay and wattles, which gives the reader a sense of the rustic, natural setting. The nine bean-rows he plans to cultivate and the hive for the honey-bee that he will keep speak to his desire for self-sufficiency and a connection to the land. The phrase "bee-loud glade" is particularly striking, as it speaks to the speaker's desire to be surrounded by the sounds of nature.

The second stanza is where the poem really begins to shine. The use of the phrase "peace comes dropping slow" is both beautiful and profound. It suggests that peace is not something that can be grasped or obtained through force, but rather something that must be allowed to come naturally over time. The reference to the morning dew and the sound of the cricket's song reinforces this idea of something that is gentle and unobtrusive. The use of the colors purple and gold to describe the noon and evening, respectively, adds to the sensory experience of the poem and reinforces the idea of the beauty of nature.

The final stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The repetition of the phrase "I will arise and go now" reinforces the speaker's determination to make this journey. The sound of the lake water lapping on the shore is a central motif that runs throughout the poem. It is not just a calming sound, but something that speaks to the speaker's deepest being. He hears it in the "deep heart's core," suggesting that it is something that is essential to his being, something that he cannot live without.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Lake Isle" by Ezra Pound is a poem that is both beautiful and profound. It speaks to the human desire for peace and solitude in a world that is often chaotic and noisy. The use of vivid sensory imagery and the repetition of key phrases reinforces the theme of the poem and creates a sense of unity and harmony. The sound of the lake water lapping on the shore is a central motif that runs throughout the poem and speaks to the speaker's deepest being. Overall, this poem is a masterful work of art that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both moving and inspiring.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lake Isle by Ezra Pound is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a perfect example of how a simple yet powerful piece of writing can evoke deep emotions and thoughts in the reader's mind. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall impact on the reader.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to go to a "lake isle" where he can find peace and tranquility away from the chaos of the world. The speaker describes this place as a "small cabin" where he can "live alone in the bee-loud glade." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is focused on the speaker's longing for a simpler, more peaceful life.

The second stanza of the poem describes the beauty of the lake isle, with its "purple glow" and "evening full of the linnet's wings." The speaker is clearly enamored with this place, and he longs to be there. The use of vivid imagery in this stanza helps to create a sense of longing and desire in the reader's mind.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's desire for the lake isle becomes more pronounced. He says that he wants to build a "small boat" and sail to the lake isle, where he can "lie down by the water." This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows the speaker's willingness to take action to achieve his goal. He is not content to simply dream about the lake isle; he wants to make it a reality.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker's longing for the lake isle becomes more philosophical. He says that he wants to "arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker is not just longing for a physical place, but for a state of mind. He wants to be in a place where he can hear the soothing sounds of the lake water, which will help him find inner peace.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's longing for the lake isle becomes more spiritual. He says that he wants to "live alone in the bee-loud glade," where he can find "peace comes dropping slow." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is not just looking for a physical place, but for a spiritual one. He wants to be in a place where he can find inner peace and tranquility, away from the chaos of the world.

Overall, The Lake Isle by Ezra Pound is a powerful poem that explores themes of longing, desire, and inner peace. The use of vivid imagery, such as the "purple glow" of the lake isle and the "bee-loud glade," helps to create a sense of longing and desire in the reader's mind. The poem is also notable for its use of literary devices, such as repetition and alliteration, which help to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

In conclusion, The Lake Isle by Ezra Pound is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of longing, desire, and inner peace are timeless, and its use of vivid imagery and literary devices make it a joy to read. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of writing, The Lake Isle is a must-read.

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