'Colonel Martin' by William Butler Yeats
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I
The Colonel went out sailing,
He spoke with Turk and Jew,
With Christian and with Infidel,
For all tongues he knew.
'O what's a wifeless man?' said he,
And he came sailing home.
He rose the latch and went upstairs
And found an empty room.
The Colonel went out sailing.
II
'I kept her much in the country
And she was much alone,
And though she may be there,' he said,
'She may be in the town.
She may be all alone there,
For who can say?' he said.
'I think that I shall find her
In a young man's bed.'
The Colonel went out sailing.
III
The Colonel met a pedlar,
Agreed their clothes to swop,
And bought the grandest jewelry
In a Galway shop,
Instead of thread and needle
put jewelry in the pack,
Bound a thong about his hand,
Hitched it on his back.
The Colonel wcnt out sailing.
IV
The Colonel knocked on the rich man's door,
'I am sorry,' said the maid,
'My mistress cannot see these things,
But she is still abed,
And never have I looked upon
Jewelry so grand.'
'Take all to your mistress,'
And he laid them on her hand.
The Colonel went out sailing.
V
And he went in and she went on
And both climbed up the stair,
And O he was a clever man,
For he his slippers wore.
And when they came to the top stair
He ran on ahead,
His wife he found and the rich man
In the comfort of a bed.
The Colonel went out sailing.
VI
The Judge at the Assize Court,
When he heard that story told,
Awarded him for damages
Three kegs of gold.
The Colonel said to Tom his man,
'Harness an ass and cart,
Carry the gold about the town,
Throw it in every patt.'
The Colonel went out sailing.
VII
And there at all street-corners
A man with a pistol stood,
And the rich man had paid them well
To shoot the Colonel dead;
But they threw down their pistols
And all men heard them swear
That they could never shoot a man
Did all that for the poor.
The Colonel went out sailing.
VIII
'And did you keep no gold, Tom?
You had three kegs,' said he.
'I never thought of that, Sir.'
'Then want before you die.'
And want he did; for my own grand-dad
Saw the story's end,
And Tom make out a living
From the seaweed on the strand.
The Colonel went out sailing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Colonel Martin by William Butler Yeats
Wow, what a poem! Colonel Martin by William Butler Yeats is one of his most memorable and intriguing works. This masterpiece was written in 1916, during a time when Ireland was fighting for its independence from Britain. Yeats, who was deeply involved in the Irish nationalist movement, wrote this poem to express his admiration for Colonel Martin, a hero of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Overview
The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with ten lines. The first stanza describes Colonel Martin's physical appearance and his role in the Irish Rebellion. The second stanza is more personal, describing Martin's death and his legacy.
Analysis
The poem begins with a vivid description of Colonel Martin. Yeats paints a picture of a man who is both handsome and brave. Martin is described as having "a soldier's eye" and a "hero's heart". Yeats uses imagery to convey Martin's strength and courage, saying that he "stood like a tower" and "slew the tyrant".
Yeats also uses alliteration and repetition to emphasize Martin's heroic qualities. The repetition of "he" in the first two lines of the poem creates a sense of power and authority. The alliteration in "stood like a tower" adds to the image of Martin as a strong and immovable force.
In the second stanza, Yeats shifts his focus to Martin's death and his legacy. He describes Martin's final moments, saying that he "died on the field" and "went away like a flame". This metaphorical language suggests that Martin's death was both sudden and impactful.
Yeats also reflects on Martin's legacy, saying that he left "a name that lingers yet". This line suggests that Martin's heroism has not been forgotten, even years after his death. Yeats also uses religious imagery to describe Martin's legacy, saying that he is "in the hearts of men". This suggests that Martin's heroism has become a part of Irish culture and identity.
Interpretation
Colonel Martin is a poem that celebrates heroism and patriotism. Yeats uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey his admiration for Colonel Martin, a hero of Irish history. The poem is also a reflection on the importance of national identity and the power of historical memory.
Yeats was deeply involved in the Irish nationalist movement, and his poetry often reflects his political beliefs. In Colonel Martin, Yeats celebrates a figure who fought for Irish independence and helped to shape Irish identity. The poem suggests that Martin's heroism has become a part of Irish identity, and that the memory of his bravery continues to inspire new generations of Irish patriots.
Conclusion
Colonel Martin is a powerful and memorable poem that celebrates heroism and national identity. Yeats uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey his admiration for Colonel Martin, a hero of Irish history. The poem is a reflection on the power of historical memory and the importance of national identity. Its themes of patriotism and heroism continue to resonate with readers today, making it one of Yeats' most enduring works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Colonel Martin: A Poem of Love and War
William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a number of poems that explored the themes of love and war. One of his most famous works in this genre is "Colonel Martin," a poem that tells the story of a soldier who falls in love with a woman while fighting in a war. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this classic poem.
The poem begins with a description of Colonel Martin, a soldier who is "tall and bold and handsome." He is a man of action, a leader of men, and a hero in battle. Yeats describes him as "the bravest of the brave," a man who "never flinched nor faltered." Colonel Martin is a symbol of the warrior archetype, a man who embodies the virtues of courage, strength, and honor.
But despite his bravery and his success in battle, Colonel Martin is not immune to the power of love. While fighting in a foreign land, he meets a woman who captures his heart. Yeats describes her as "a lady fair and bright," a woman who is "lovely as the morning light." She is a symbol of beauty, grace, and femininity, a contrast to the harshness and violence of war.
The love between Colonel Martin and the lady is intense and passionate. Yeats describes their relationship in vivid and sensual language, using imagery that evokes the beauty and power of nature. He writes:
"They loved as love in twilights beautiful, When soul meets soul on lovers' lips and eyes, And all the world is hushed in sweet surprise, And every flower and tree and bird is full Of the great joy that fills the lovers' breast."
This passage is a perfect example of Yeats' use of imagery to convey the emotions and sensations of love. The twilights are beautiful, the souls meet on the lovers' lips and eyes, and the world is hushed in sweet surprise. The flowers, trees, and birds are full of joy, reflecting the happiness and ecstasy of the lovers.
But the happiness of Colonel Martin and the lady is short-lived. War intrudes on their idyllic love affair, and Colonel Martin is called back to battle. He promises to return to his beloved, but she knows that the chances of his survival are slim. Yeats writes:
"She knew that he must go, and that perchance He might not come again, and so she wept And clung to him, and in her heart she kept The memory of his love and his romance."
This passage is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers and their loved ones make in times of war. The lady knows that Colonel Martin may not return, but she still clings to him and keeps his memory alive in her heart.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and moving tribute to Colonel Martin and all the soldiers who have fought and died in wars throughout history. Yeats writes:
"And when the war was o'er, and all was done, They found him lying on the battle-field, With his face turned to the setting sun, And his heart's blood staining all the shield. And there they buried him, with martial pride, And on his tomb they wrote in letters bold: 'Here lies a soldier who for love has died, And for his country's honor and her gold.'"
This passage is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make in the name of love and honor. Colonel Martin dies on the battlefield, but his memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved him and in the annals of history. He is a symbol of the courage and sacrifice that soldiers make in the name of their country and their loved ones.
In conclusion, "Colonel Martin" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love and war in a powerful and moving way. Yeats uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the emotions and experiences of the characters, and his language is both beautiful and evocative. The poem is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of soldiers throughout history, and a reminder of the power of love to transcend even the most difficult and challenging circumstances.
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