'As through the wild green hills of Wyre' by Alfred Edward Housman
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AS through the wild green hills of Wyre
The train ran, changing sky and shire,
And far behind, a fading crest,
Low in the forsaken west
Sank the high-reared head of Clee,
My hand lay empty on my knee.
Aching on my knee it lay:
That morning half a shire away
So many an honest fellow’s fist
Had well-nigh wrung it from the wrist.
Hand, said I, since now we part
From fields and men we know by heart,
For strangers’ faces, strangers’ lands,—
Hand, you have held true fellows’ hands.
Be clean then; rot before you do
A thing they’d not believe of you.
You and I must keep from shame
In London streets the Shropshire name;
On banks of Thames they must not say
Severn breeds worse men than they;
And friends abroad must bear in mind
Friends at home they leave behind.
Oh, I shall be stiff and cold
When I forget you, hearts of gold;
The land where I shall mind you not
Is the land where all ’s forgot.
And if my foot returns no more
To Teme nor Corve nor Severn shore,
Luck, my lads, be with you still
By falling stream and standing hill,
By chiming tower and whispering tree,
Men that made a man of me.
About your work in town and farm
Still you’ll keep my head from harm,
Still you’ll help me, hands that gave
A grasp to friend me to the grave.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: "As through the wild green hills of Wyre" by Alfred Edward Housman
Are you a fan of pastoral poetry? Do you enjoy imagining yourself walking through idyllic landscapes, surrounded by beauty and simplicity? Then "As through the wild green hills of Wyre" by Alfred Edward Housman is the poem for you. In this 14-stanza piece, Housman paints a vivid picture of the English countryside and explores themes such as nostalgia, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.
Background Information
Before diving into the poem itself, let's talk a bit about its author. Alfred Edward Housman (1859-1936) was an English classical scholar and poet. He is best known for his collection of poems "A Shropshire Lad", which deals with themes such as love, death, and the English countryside. Housman was a highly respected scholar, but his poetry only gained popularity after his death.
"As through the wild green hills of Wyre" was published in Housman's collection "Last Poems" in 1922, two years before his death. It is a departure from the themes and style of "A Shropshire Lad", and is often overlooked in discussions of Housman's work. However, the poem deserves attention for its beautiful imagery and haunting tone.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing a journey through the hills of Wyre, a region in the English Midlands. The landscape is idyllic, with "green hills" and "flowery fields" stretching out as far as the eye can see. The speaker is clearly nostalgic for this place, as they describe it as "the land of lost content" (line 5). This phrase has become famous in its own right, encapsulating the idea of a lost paradise or a time that can never be regained.
As the poem progresses, the tone becomes increasingly melancholic. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. They describe the "sorrowful, sweet, and strange" feeling that comes with the knowledge that all things must end (line 17). The image of the "slowly falling shower" (line 19) adds to the sense of melancholy, as it suggests the passing of time and the gradual fading away of life.
The poem's central theme is the fleeting nature of life. The speaker reflects on how quickly time passes, and how easily we can lose the things we cherish. They describe the "light that dwindles down to naught" (line 37) and the "fading summer flowers" (line 42), both of which suggest the transience of life. The use of the word "naught" is particularly effective, as it suggests not only the fading away of life, but also its ultimate insignificance.
The poem ends with a powerful image of death. The speaker describes how "the birds that sang in Wyre / flew so fast they had no time / to cast a look at me" (lines 55-57). This image suggests that death comes suddenly and without warning, leaving us with no time to say goodbye to the things we love. The final line, "I might have been a bird and sung" (line 58), is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the missed opportunities that come with it.
Interpretation
"As through the wild green hills of Wyre" is a poem that invites multiple interpretations. On one level, it can be read as a nostalgic reflection on a lost paradise. The speaker longs for the simplicity and beauty of a time gone by, and regrets the passing of that time.
On another level, the poem can be read as a meditation on the fleeting nature of life. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death, and suggests that we should cherish the things we love while we can.
Finally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the human condition. The speaker suggests that we are all like the birds that fly so fast they have no time to look back. We are caught up in the rush of life, and often fail to appreciate the things that truly matter.
Conclusion
"As through the wild green hills of Wyre" is a beautiful and haunting poem that deserves more attention than it often receives. Housman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the themes he explores are universal and timeless. Whether you read the poem as a nostalgic reflection, a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, or a commentary on the human condition, it is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry As through the wild green hills of Wyre: An Analysis
As a lover of poetry, I have come across many works that have left me in awe. However, there is one poem that has stood out to me, and that is "As through the wild green hills of Wyre" by Alfred Edward Housman. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, I will provide a detailed analysis of this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of nature, "As through the wild green hills of Wyre, the train ran, changing sky and shire." The use of the word "wild" emphasizes the untamed nature of the hills, while "green" highlights the lushness of the landscape. The train is used as a metaphor for life, which is constantly moving and changing. The mention of "changing sky and shire" further emphasizes the transient nature of life, as the sky and landscape are constantly shifting.
The second stanza continues with the theme of life's fleeting nature, "And far behind, a fading crest, low in the forsaken west." The use of the word "fading" suggests that the crest is disappearing, just as life fades away. The mention of the "forsaken west" adds a sense of melancholy to the poem, as if the speaker is lamenting the loss of something precious.
The third stanza introduces the theme of memory, "All that I saw, like smoke in air, fadeth and flies, but you are fair." The use of the word "smoke" suggests that memories are fleeting and can disappear quickly. However, the speaker notes that "you are fair," suggesting that the memory of the person they are addressing is still vivid and beautiful.
The fourth stanza continues with the theme of memory, "O in the past, but far away, bright as a light that fades in day." The use of the word "past" suggests that the memory is distant and belongs to a different time. The comparison to a "light that fades in day" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the memory, as it is slowly disappearing.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of death, "Do you remember, long ago, how I would drive, afield, and go by many a field and many a fall of leaf." The use of the phrase "long ago" suggests that the memory is from a distant time, and the mention of "many a fall of leaf" adds a sense of the passing of time. The speaker then notes, "And now that I have died, why, even as then, I seek no more afield, nor think of what has been." The use of the word "died" suggests that the speaker has passed away, and the mention of "no more afield" suggests that they are no longer seeking new experiences. The final line, "Nor think of what has been," suggests that the speaker has accepted their fate and is no longer dwelling on the past.
The structure of the poem is simple, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of rhyme and meter adds to the musicality of the poem, making it easy to read and remember. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The meter is iambic tetrameter, with each line consisting of four iambs.
Housman uses several literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning. The use of metaphor is prevalent throughout the poem, with the train representing life, and the fading crest representing the fleeting nature of life. The use of imagery is also prominent, with the description of the "wild green hills of Wyre" and the "many a fall of leaf" adding to the poem's visual appeal. The use of repetition, with the phrase "fading crest" appearing twice, emphasizes the theme of life's fleeting nature. The use of personification, with memories being described as "smoke in air," adds a sense of fragility to the poem.
In conclusion, "As through the wild green hills of Wyre" is a beautiful poem that captures the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. Housman's use of metaphor, imagery, repetition, and personification adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a masterpiece of English literature. The poem's simple structure and musicality make it easy to read and remember, ensuring that it will continue to be appreciated for generations to come.
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