'Mycerinus' by Matthew Arnold


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"Not by the justice that my father spurn'd,
Not for the thousands whom my father slew,
Altars unfed and temples overturn'd,
Cold hearts and thankless tongues, where thanks are due;
Fell this dread voice from lips that cannot lie,
Stern sentence of the Powers of Destiny.

"I will unfold my sentence and my crime.
My crime--that, rapt in reverential awe,
I sate obedient, in the fiery prime
Of youth, self-govern'd, at the feet of Law;
Ennobling this dull pomp, the life of kings,
By contemplation of diviner things.

"My father loved injustice, and lived long;
Crown'd with grey hairs he died, and full of sway.
I loved the good he scorn'd, and hated wrong--
The Gods declare my recompense to-day.
I look'd for life more lasting, rule more high;
And when six years are measured, lo, I die!

"Yet surely, O my people, did I deem
Man's justice from the all-just Gods was given;
A light that from some upper fount did beam,
Some better archetype, whose seat was heaven;
A light that, shining from the blest abodes,
Did shadow somewhat of the life of Gods.

"Mere phantoms of man's self-tormenting heart,
Which on the sweets that woo it dares not feed!
Vain dreams, which quench our pleasures, then depart
When the duped soul, self-master'd, claims its meed;
When, on the strenuous just man, Heaven bestows,
Crown of his struggling life, an unjust close!

"Seems it so light a thing, then, austere Powers,
To spurn man's common lure, life's pleasant things?
Seems there no joy in dances crown'd with flowers,
Love, free to range, and regal banquetings?
Bend ye on these, indeed, an unmoved eye,
Not Gods but ghosts, in frozen apathy?

"Or is it that some Force, too wise, too strong,
Even for yourselves to conquer or beguile,
Sweeps earth, and heaven, and men, and Gods along,
Like the broad volume of the insurgent Nile?
And the great powers we serve, themselves may be
Slaves of a tyrannous necessity?

"Or in mid-heaven, perhaps, your golden cars,
Where earthly voice climbs never, wing their flight,
And in wild hunt, through mazy tracts of stars,
Sweep in the sounding stillness of the night?
Or in deaf ease, on thrones of dazzling sheen,
Drinking deep draughts of joy, ye dwell serene?

"Oh, wherefore cheat our youth, if thus it be,
Of one short joy, one lust, one pleasant dream?
Stringing vain words of powers we cannot see,
Blind divinations of a will supreme;
Lost labour! when the circumambient gloom
But hides, if Gods, Gods careless of our doom?

"The rest I give to joy. Even while I speak,
My sand runs short; and--as yon star-shot ray,
Hemm'd by two banks of cloud, peers pale and weak,
Now, as the barrier closes, dies away--
Even so do past and future intertwine,
Blotting this six years' space, which yet is mine.

"Six years--six little years--six drops of time!
Yet suns shall rise, and many moons shall wane,
And old men die, and young men pass their prime,
And languid pleasure fade and flower again,
And the dull Gods behold, ere these are flown,
Revels more deep, joy keener than their own.

"Into the silence of the groves and woods
I will go forth; though something would I say--
Something--yet what, I know not; for the Gods
The doom they pass revoke not, nor delay;
And prayers, and gifts, and tears, are fruitless all,
And the night waxes, and the shadows fall.

"Ye men of Egypt, ye have heard your king!
I go, and I return not. But the will
Of the great Gods is plain; and ye must bring
Ill deeds, ill passions, zealous to fulfil
Their pleasure, to their feet; and reap their praise,
The praise of Gods, rich boon! and length of days."

--So spake he, half in anger, half in scorn;
And one loud cry of grief and of amaze
Broke from his sorrowing people; so he spake,
And turning, left them there; and with brief pause,
Girt with a throng of revellers, bent his way
To the cool region of the groves he loved.
There by the river-banks he wander'd on,
From palm-grove on to palm-grove, happy trees,
Their smooth tops shining sunward, and beneath
Burying their unsunn'd stems in grass and flowers;
Where in one dream the feverish time of youth
Might fade in slumber, and the feet of joy
Might wander all day long and never tire.
Here came the king, holding high feast, at morn,
Rose-crown'd; and ever, when the sun went down,
A hundred lamps beam'd in the tranquil gloom,
From tree to tree all through the twinkling grove,
Revealing all the tumult of the feast--
Flush'd guests, and golden goblets foam'd with wine;
While the deep-burnish'd foliage overhead
Splinter'd the silver arrows of the moon.

It may be that sometimes his wondering soul
From the loud joyful laughter of his lips
Might shrink half startled, like a guilty man
Who wrestles with his dream; as some pale shape
Gliding half hidden through the dusky stems,
Would thrust a hand before the lifted bowl,
Whispering: A little space, and thou art mine!
It may be on that joyless feast his eye
Dwelt with mere outward seeming; he, within,
Took measure of his soul, and knew its strength,
And by that silent knowledge, day by day,
Was calm'd, ennobled, comforted, sustain'd.
It may be; but not less his brow was smooth,
And his clear laugh fled ringing through the gloom,
And his mirth quail'd not at the mild reproof
Sigh'd out by winter's sad tranquillity;
Nor, pall'd with its own fulness, ebb'd and died
In the rich languor of long summer-days;
Nor wither'd when the palm-tree plumes, that roof'd
With their mild dark his grassy banquet-hall,
Bent to the cold winds of the showerless spring;
No, nor grew dark when autumn brought the clouds.

So six long years he revell'd, night and day.
And when the mirth wax'd loudest, with dull sound
Sometimes from the grove's centre echoes came,
To tell his wondering people of their king;
In the still night, across the steaming flats,
Mix'd with the murmur of the moving Nile.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#My Interpretation of Matthew Arnold’s Mycerinus

As I sit down to write this literary criticism on Matthew Arnold’s Mycerinus, a poem that has been hailed as one of the greatest in the English language, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. What is it about this poem that has captured the imagination of so many readers over the years? What is it about Arnold’s writing that makes it so captivating? These are the questions that I hope to explore in this essay.

##Background and Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to provide some background and context. Mycerinus was written by Matthew Arnold in 1853, during a time of great change and upheaval in the world. The poem is based on the story of Mycerinus, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who was known for his benevolence and wisdom. Mycerinus is said to have been so concerned with the welfare of his people that he would often spend his days listening to their complaints and grievances.

Arnold’s poem is not a retelling of the story of Mycerinus, however. Instead, he uses the pharaoh’s legend as a starting point to explore larger themes of human nature, mortality, and the limitations of human knowledge. In this sense, Mycerinus is not just a poem about an ancient Egyptian king, but a meditation on the human condition itself.

##Structure and Style

One of the first things that struck me about Mycerinus is its structure. The poem is written in blank verse, a form of poetry that does not rhyme but still maintains a strong meter. The effect of this is to create a sense of gravity and seriousness, as if Arnold is grappling with weighty ideas that require a formal structure to contain them.

At the same time, Arnold’s language is often rich and descriptive, filled with metaphors and allusions that draw the reader in. For example, early in the poem he describes Mycerinus as “the soul of goodness in this dark world,” a phrase that immediately captures the pharaoh’s moral character and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

##Themes and Interpretation

As I mentioned earlier, Mycerinus is a poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of mortality and the limitations of human knowledge. Arnold seems to be suggesting that no matter how wise or benevolent a person may be, they are still subject to the same fate as everyone else. In one of the most striking passages of the poem, he writes:

“…here, where the noises of this busy world, The small, the common, never reach our ears, Here, where the changeless Nile rolls on his stream, Near a great temple of the goddess Queen, We stand in the long shadow of great names, Who have been kings and makers of the world.”

This passage highlights the contrast between the fleeting concerns of everyday life and the eternal significance of human achievement. Arnold suggests that even the greatest rulers and thinkers of history are ultimately subject to the same fate as the rest of us.

Another important theme in Mycerinus is the idea of wisdom and benevolence. Mycerinus is portrayed as a king who is deeply concerned with the welfare of his people, and who takes the time to listen to their grievances. Arnold seems to be suggesting that this kind of wisdom and empathy is essential for good governance, and that rulers who ignore the needs of their subjects do so at their own peril.

##Conclusion

As I come to the end of this essay, I am struck once again by the power and beauty of Matthew Arnold’s Mycerinus. This is a poem that grapples with some of the most fundamental questions of human existence, and does so in a way that is both profound and accessible. Whether you are interested in ancient history, philosophy, or simply good writing, Mycerinus is a poem that is well worth your time. So why not give it a read, and see for yourself what all the fuss is about?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mycerinus: A Masterpiece of Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of poetry that reflects his philosophical and critical views on society and culture. His poem, "Poetry Mycerinus," is a classic example of his literary genius, which explores the role of poetry in human life and its ability to transcend time and space.

The poem is named after Mycerinus, the Pharaoh of Egypt, who is known for his love of poetry and his patronage of the arts. Arnold uses this historical figure as a symbol of the power of poetry and its ability to immortalize the human spirit. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry and its impact on human life.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the speaker addressing Mycerinus, praising him for his love of poetry and his patronage of the arts. The speaker then goes on to describe the power of poetry, stating that it has the ability to "make us heirs / Of truth and pure delight in endless lays." Here, Arnold is suggesting that poetry has the power to connect us with the eternal truths of the universe and to bring us joy and happiness that transcends time and space.

The second stanza of the poem explores the relationship between poetry and nature. The speaker describes how poetry has the ability to capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world, stating that it can "bring back the hour / Of glory in the grass, of splendor in the flower." Here, Arnold is suggesting that poetry has the power to transport us to a world of beauty and wonder, where we can experience the majesty of nature in all its glory.

The third and final stanza of the poem explores the role of poetry in human life. The speaker suggests that poetry has the power to inspire us to greatness, stating that it can "rouse the heart when it is grown too cold, / And stir the blood in sluggish veins to flame." Here, Arnold is suggesting that poetry has the power to awaken our spirits and to inspire us to achieve great things in life.

Overall, "Poetry Mycerinus" is a masterpiece of Matthew Arnold's literary genius. Through his use of language and imagery, Arnold explores the power of poetry and its ability to connect us with the eternal truths of the universe, to transport us to a world of beauty and wonder, and to inspire us to greatness. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space, making it a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.

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