'Ode On The Poetical Character' by William Collins
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As once, if not with light regard,
I read aright that gifted bard,
(Him whose school above the rest
His loveliest Elfin Queen has blest,)
One, only one, unrival'd fair,
Might hope the magic girdle wear,
At solemn tourney hung on high,
The wish of each love-darting eye;
Lo! to each other nymph in turn applied,
As if, in air unseen, some hov'ring hand,
Some chaste and angel-friend to virgin-fame,
With whisper'd spell had burst the starting band,
It left unblest her loath'd dishonour'd side;
Happier, hopeless fair, if never
Her baffled hand with vain endeavour
Had touch'd that fatal zone to her denied!
Young Fancy thus, to me divinest name,
To whom, prepar'd and bath'd in Heav'n,
The cest of amplest pow'r is giv'n:
To few the god-like gift assigns,
To gird their blest prophetic loins,
And gaze her visions wild, and feel unmix'd her flame!
The band, as fairy legends say,
Was wove on that creating day,
When He, who call'd with thought to birth
Yon tented sky, this laughing earth,
And dress'd with springs, and forests tall,
And pour'd the main engirting all,
Long by the lov'd enthusiast woo'd,
Himself in some diviner mood,
Retiring, sate with her alone,
And plac'd her on his sapphire throne,
The whiles, the vaulted shrine around,
Seraphic wires were heard to sound,
Now sublimest triumph swelling,
Now on love and mercy dwelling;
And she, from out the veiling cloud,
Breath'd her magic notes aloud:
And thou, thou rich-hair'd youth of morn,
And all thy subject life was born!
The dang'rous Passions kept aloof,
Far from the sainted growing woof:
But near it sate ecstatic Wonder
List'ning the deep applauding thunder:
And Truth, in sunny vest array'd,
By whose the tarsel's eyes were made
All the shad'wy tribes of mind,
In braided dance their murmurs join'd,
And all the bright uncounted Pow'rs
Who feed on Heav'n's ambrosial flow'rs.
Where is the bard, whose soul can now
Its high presuming hopes avow?
Where he who thinks, with rapture blind,
This hallow'd work for him design'd?
High on some cliff, to Heav'n up-pil'd,
Of rude access, of prospect wild,
Where, tangled round the jealous steep,
Strange shades o'erbrow the valleys deep,
And holy genii guard the rock,
Its glooms embrown, its springs unlock,
While on its rich ambitious head,
An Eden, like his own, lies spread.
I view that oak, the fancied glades among,
By which as Milton lay, his ev'ning ear,
From many a cloud that dropp'd ethereal dew,
Nigh spher'd in Heav'n its native strains could hear:
On which that ancient trump he reach'd was hung;
Thither oft his glory greeting,
From Waller's myrtle shades retreating,
With many a vow from Hope's aspiring tongue,
My trembling feet his guiding steps pursue;
In vain--such bliss to one alone,
Of all the sons of soul was known,
And Heav'n, and Fancy, kindred pow'rs,
Have now o'erturn'd th' inspiring bow'rs,
Or curtain'd close such scene from ev'ry future view.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ode On The Poetical Character: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
William Collins' "Ode on the Poetical Character" is a prime example of Romantic literature. This poem is a tribute to the art of poetry and the creative force that drives poets to create their work. It is a celebration of the power of imagination and the beauty of language. The poem is a masterpiece of literary criticism and interpretation, and it has influenced countless writers and poets over the years.
The Beauty of Language
One of the most striking features of "Ode on the Poetical Character" is the beauty of its language. Collins' use of language is both elegant and powerful, and it is clear that he has a deep appreciation for the art of poetry. His words are carefully chosen and arranged to create a lyrical and musical effect that is both pleasing to the ear and rich in meaning.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Collins writes:
How shall I trace the Poet's airy course,
Who can preserve the dim records
Of Fancy, like the various-blossom'd mead
By the wind shaken, or the fading hues
Of the fair rainbow's fleeting arch below?
These lines are a perfect example of Collins' use of language to create a musical effect. The words "airy course" and "dim records" create a sense of lightness and mystery, while the metaphor of the "various-blossom'd mead" and the "fading hues" of the rainbow create a sense of transience and impermanence. The result is a beautiful and complex image that captures the essence of the poetic imagination.
The Romantic Imagination
"Ode on the Poetical Character" is also a celebration of the Romantic imagination. Collins believed that poetry was the product of the imagination, and that the poet was a kind of visionary who could see beyond the surface of things to the deeper truths that lay beneath. This idea is expressed throughout the poem, but perhaps most powerfully in the lines:
There thou shalt hear
The murmuring waters, and the plaintive breeze;
And catch, perchance, from some bewilder'd fair
Sidelong a sigh, that whispers from the heart,
As the mute songster eyes the virgin's hand,
And, wary, hops aside, and flutters low,
Till scarce his beak the thrilling straw can reach.
Here, Collins is describing the poet's ability to hear the hidden voices of nature and to capture the innermost thoughts and feelings of his subjects. The image of the "mute songster" and the "bewilder'd fair" is a powerful metaphor for the poet's ability to capture the fleeting moments of beauty and feeling that are often overlooked by others.
The Power of Poetry
Finally, "Ode on the Poetical Character" is a celebration of the power of poetry. Collins believed that poetry had the ability to move people in ways that other forms of expression could not. He saw poetry as a means of communicating deep truths and emotions that were often beyond the reach of ordinary language.
This idea is expressed most powerfully in the lines:
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast: their hours
In frolic pleasures, youth, and beauty, glide,
Careless of death or fate, and boldly dare
Th' united powers of Earth and Heaven to war.
Here, Collins is describing the transformative power of poetry. He suggests that poetry has the ability to bring people to a state of joy and freedom that is beyond the reach of the cares and worries of everyday life. He sees poetry as a kind of magic that can transport people to a higher realm of experience and emotion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Collins' "Ode on the Poetical Character" is a masterpiece of Romantic literature. It is a tribute to the power of language, the beauty of imagination, and the transformative power of poetry. Its language is both elegant and powerful, and its ideas are profound and deeply moving. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the creative spirit that drives poets to create their work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ode On The Poetical Character: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
William Collins, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, wrote the Ode On The Poetical Character in 1747. This masterpiece of poetry is a tribute to the power of imagination and creativity, and it explores the essence of the poetic character. The poem is a perfect example of the Romantic movement's fascination with nature, emotion, and the supernatural. In this article, we will analyze and explain the Ode On The Poetical Character in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a description of the poetic character as a divine gift, a "heavenly flame" that ignites the imagination and inspires the soul. Collins portrays the poet as a visionary, a seer who can see beyond the mundane and the ordinary. The poet is a "prophet" who can "foresee" the future and "reveal" the hidden truths of the world. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the idea that the poetic character is a sacred and mystical force that transcends the limits of human experience.
The second stanza explores the relationship between the poet and nature. Collins describes the poet as a "child of nature," someone who is intimately connected to the natural world. The poet can hear the "music of the spheres" and can see the "eternal sunshine" that illuminates the universe. The poet is not just an observer of nature but a participant in it, a co-creator who can shape and transform the world through his or her words. The stanza ends with a powerful image of the poet as a "mighty master" who can "command the winds" and "tame the savage beast."
The third stanza shifts the focus to the emotional and spiritual aspects of the poetic character. Collins portrays the poet as a "bard divine," someone who can express the deepest emotions and feelings through his or her poetry. The poet can capture the "soul's high flight" and the "raptures of the mind" in words that transcend language and culture. The poet is a "muse" who can inspire others to greatness and a "saint" who can lead others to enlightenment. The stanza ends with a poignant image of the poet as a "martyr" who sacrifices his or her own happiness for the sake of art.
The fourth stanza explores the idea of the poet as a visionary and a prophet. Collins portrays the poet as someone who can see beyond the present moment and glimpse the future. The poet can "foresee" the "fate of empires" and the "destinies of kings." The poet is a "seer" who can "read the stars" and "unveil the mysteries of fate." The stanza ends with a powerful image of the poet as a "godlike" figure who can "raise the dead" and "call the shades from hell."
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the power and beauty of poetry itself. Collins describes poetry as a "heavenly gift" that can "soothe the savage breast" and "charm the soul of sorrow." Poetry is a "magic art" that can transform the world and elevate the human spirit. The stanza ends with a beautiful image of the poet as a "seraph" who can "touch the strings of harmony" and "raise his blest voice to heaven."
The structure of the Ode On The Poetical Character is a classic example of the ode form, with five stanzas of varying lengths and a complex rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line, which gives it a musical quality and a sense of rhythm. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that capture the essence of the poetic character.
In conclusion, the Ode On The Poetical Character is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that explores the power and beauty of the poetic character. Collins portrays the poet as a visionary, a seer, and a prophet who can see beyond the limits of human experience and glimpse the mysteries of the universe. The poem is a celebration of the imagination, the creative spirit, and the transformative power of poetry. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Romantic movement and a timeless tribute to the art of poetry itself.
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