'Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle' by Joseph Rodman Drake


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WHENE'ER thy wandering footstep bends
Its pathway to the Hermit tree,
Among its cordial band of friends,
Sweet Mary! wilt thou number me?

Though all too few the hours have roll'd
That saw the stranger linger here,
In memory's volume let them hold
One little spot to friendship dear.

I oft have thought how sweet 'twould be
To steal the bird of Eden's art;
And leave behind a trace of me
On every kind and friendly heart,

And like the breeze in fragrance rolled,
To gather as I wander by,
From every soul of kindred mould,
Some touch of cordial sympathy.

'Tis the best charm in life's dull dream,
To feel that yet there linger here
Bright eyes that look with fond esteem,
And feeling hearts that hold me dear.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle by Joseph Rodman Drake

Oh, New Rochelle! How can I leave thee now, 

Thy paths and shady borders? Every bough 

Bends with the rich fruit of the loaded year, 
And flowers of every hue and fragrance here 

Rise to the breeze, and seem to shed 
Their sweets profusely on my wandering head. 



Introduction

Joseph Rodman Drake's "Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature in its purest form. The poem is a reflection of the author's feelings as he leaves New Rochelle, a place that he has grown to love. The imagery used in the poem is vivid, and it is evident that the author has a deep appreciation for the beauty of the environment around him. The poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, which makes it a relatable piece of literature for anyone who has ever left a place they love.

Literary Analysis

The poem is composed of three stanzas, and each stanza has six lines. The first stanza begins with the author expressing his reluctance to leave New Rochelle. The use of the rhetorical device of apostrophe is evident in the first line when the author addresses New Rochelle directly. The author personifies the town, giving it a voice and character. The use of apostrophe is effective in evoking emotion in the reader and makes the poem more relatable.

The second stanza describes the beauty of New Rochelle. The author uses vivid imagery to describe the environment around him. The use of personification is evident in the line, "Every bough/Bends with the rich fruit of the loaded year." The author uses personification to give life to the plants and trees around him. The imagery used in the poem is peaceful and calming, the intent is to create a sense of serenity in the reader's mind.

The final stanza of the poem is the most emotional. The author expresses his sadness at having to leave New Rochelle. The use of personification is evident in the line, "And flowers of every hue and fragrance here/Rise to the breeze, and seem to shed/Their sweets profusely on my wandering head." The use of personification in this line is meant to show the reader that the author feels a deep connection to the environment around him.

The poem's structure is simple, and the rhyme scheme is consistent, with an AABCCB rhyme scheme being used in each stanza. The use of regular meter and rhyme is meant to give the poem a sense of musicality. The poem is easy to read, and the use of simple language makes it accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Interpretation

Upon reading the poem, one can infer that the author had a deep connection to New Rochelle. The imagery used in the poem suggests that the author spent a lot of time outdoors, enjoying the natural beauty of the environment around him. The use of personification in the poem is meant to show the reader that the author felt a deep connection to the environment around him. The poem suggests that the author was leaving New Rochelle against his will, and he was sad to do so.

The poem's use of simple language and regular meter is a reflection of the author's desire to create a sense of serenity and calm. The poem is meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia in the reader, and the use of imagery is meant to create a vivid picture of the environment around the author. The use of apostrophe is meant to give voice and character to New Rochelle, making it a relatable character in the reader's mind.

Conclusion

"Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature in its purest form. The author's use of vivid imagery and personification creates a vivid picture of the environment around him. The poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, which makes it a relatable piece of literature for anyone who has ever left a place they love. The poem's simple language and regular meter create a sense of calm, and the use of apostrophe gives voice and character to New Rochelle. Overall, the poem is a reflection of the author's deep connection to the environment around him, and his reluctance to leave it behind.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle: A Classic Poem by Joseph Rodman Drake

As a lover of poetry, I have always been fascinated by the works of Joseph Rodman Drake, an American poet who lived in the early 19th century. One of his most famous poems, Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle, has always captured my imagination with its vivid imagery and emotional depth. In this article, I will provide a detailed analysis and explanation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Background and Context

Joseph Rodman Drake was born in New York City in 1795 and died at the young age of 25 in 1820. He was a contemporary of other famous American poets such as Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Drake is best known for his poems The Culprit Fay and The American Flag, but Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle is also considered one of his finest works.

The poem was written in 1815, when Drake was just 20 years old. At the time, he was living in New Rochelle, a small town in Westchester County, New York. Drake had been sent there by his father to recover from a serious illness, and it was during this time that he wrote the poem. The poem was published in the New York Evening Post in 1816 and was later included in a collection of Drake's works called The Culprit Fay and Other Poems.

Themes

Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle is a poem about the bittersweet experience of leaving a place that one has grown to love. The poem is infused with a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. Drake captures the beauty of the natural world around him, as well as the warmth and kindness of the people he has met in New Rochelle. The poem also explores the theme of mortality, as Drake reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Structure

The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, and the poem is divided into four stanzas, each with eight lines. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is the language and imagery that make it so powerful.

Analysis

The poem begins with Drake bidding farewell to New Rochelle, a place that has become dear to him. He describes the town as a "sweet spot" and a "fairy scene," using language that evokes a sense of enchantment and wonder. He also describes the natural beauty of the area, with its "verdant hills" and "silver streams." The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a place that is both idyllic and serene.

In the second stanza, Drake reflects on the people he has met in New Rochelle. He describes them as "kindred hearts" and "friendly hands," emphasizing the warmth and generosity of the community. He also acknowledges the fleeting nature of life, noting that "the joys we share are fleeting fast." This line is particularly poignant, as it highlights the transience of human existence and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.

The third stanza is perhaps the most emotional and introspective. Drake reflects on his own mortality, noting that "the hour must come when I shall sleep in death's cold arms." He acknowledges that he will eventually leave this world, but he takes comfort in the fact that he has experienced the beauty and wonder of New Rochelle. He also expresses a desire to be remembered after he is gone, saying that "when I am dead, oh, let me still be dear / To some fond heart that once has loved me here." This line is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of human connections.

The final stanza is a farewell to New Rochelle, as Drake bids adieu to the town and its people. He expresses his gratitude for the time he has spent there, saying that "I leave thee with a sigh, a tear, a prayer." The poem ends with a sense of finality and closure, as Drake prepares to move on to the next chapter of his life.

Literary Devices

Drake employs a number of literary devices in Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle, including imagery, metaphor, and personification. The imagery in the poem is particularly powerful, as Drake uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to create a sense of enchantment and wonder. For example, he describes the "verdant hills" and "silver streams" of New Rochelle, painting a picture of a place that is both beautiful and serene.

Drake also uses metaphor to convey his emotions and ideas. For example, he describes New Rochelle as a "sweet spot" and a "fairy scene," using language that evokes a sense of enchantment and wonder. He also uses personification to give human qualities to non-human objects. For example, he describes the "silver streams" as "murmuring" and the "verdant hills" as "smiling," creating a sense of life and movement in the natural world.

Conclusion

Lines Written On Leaving New Rochelle is a classic poem that captures the bittersweet experience of leaving a place that one has grown to love. Drake's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification creates a sense of enchantment and wonder, while his reflections on mortality and the transience of life add a sense of depth and emotional resonance. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of human connections, and it remains a timeless work of American poetry.

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