'Rome Unvisited' by Oscar Wilde


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I.
THE corn has turned from grey to red,
Since first my spirit wandered forth
From the drear cities of the north,
And to Italia's mountains fled.

And here I set my face towards home,
For all my pilgrimage is done,
Although, methinks, yon blood-red sun
Marshals the way to Holy Rome.

O Blessed Lady, who dost hold
Upon the seven hills thy reign!10
O Mother without blot or stain,
Crowned with bright crowns of triple gold!

O Roma, Roma, at thy feet
I lay this barren gift of song!
For, ah! the way is steep and long
That leads unto thy sacred street.

II.
And yet what joy it were for me
To turn my feet unto the south,
And journeying towards the Tiber mouth
To kneel again at Fiesole!20

And wandering through the tangled pines
That break the gold of Arno's stream,
To see the purple mist and gleam
Of morning on the Apennines.

By many a vineyard-hidden home,
Orchard, and olive-garden grey,
Till from the drear Campagna's way
The seven hills bear up the dome!

III.
A pilgrim from the northern seas--
What joy for me to seek alone30
The wondrous Temple, and the throne
Of Him who holds the awful keys!

When, bright with purple and with gold,
Come priest and holy Cardinal,
And borne above the heads of all
The gentle Shepherd of the Fold.

O joy to see before I die
The only God-anointed King,
And hear the silver trumpets ring
A triumph as He passes by!40

Or at the altar of the shrine
Holds high the mystic sacrifice,
And shows a God to human eyes
Beneath the veil of bread and wine.

IV.
For lo, what changes time can bring!
The cycles of revolving years
May free my heart from all its fears,--
And teach my lips a song to sing.

Before yon field of trembling gold
Is garnered into dusty sheaves,50
Or ere the autumn's scarlet leaves
Flutter as birds adown the wold,

I may have run the glorious race,
And caught the torch while yet aflame,
And called upon the holy name
Of Him who now doth hide His face.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Rome Unvisited: A Literary Masterpiece by Oscar Wilde

As a lover of poetry, I have come across numerous masterpieces that have struck and resonated with me on different levels. However, I am yet to find a piece that captures the essence of love, longing, and despair with such elegance and depth as Oscar Wilde's Rome Unvisited.

The poem is a perfect embodiment of Wilde's unique writing style, characterized by his use of wit, irony, and paradox. In Rome Unvisited, he employs these literary devices to create a profound and thought-provoking work that explores themes of lost love, regret, and the passing of time.

The Poem's Structure and Language

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each composed of ten lines of iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme follows an ABABCDCDEE pattern, with the last two lines of each stanza echoing each other. This structure gives the poem a musical quality that flows seamlessly from one stanza to the next.

Wilde's language is rich and evocative, drawing the reader into the world he has created. He uses vivid imagery, such as the "rose-red lamps" and "tawny vapours," to paint a picture of Rome at night. The city itself is portrayed as an alluring and seductive entity, with its "mystic light" and "perfumed air" tempting the narrator to stay.

Themes and Interpretation

At its core, Rome Unvisited is a poem about lost love and the pain of regret. The narrator speaks of a past love that he has lost and longs to be reunited with. He is haunted by memories of their time together, which he describes as a "dream divine."

The poem can be read as an exploration of the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The narrator laments that "all is changed" since he last visited Rome and that the city he once knew is no more. He is acutely aware of the transience of life and how everything, even the most beautiful moments, is fleeting.

However, the poem can also be interpreted as a celebration of the enduring power of love. Despite the passing of time and the changes that have taken place, the narrator's love for his lost love remains unchanged. He speaks of "memories that never die" and how his love "like a flower in the tomb, / Will never, never pass away."

The Importance of Rome

Rome is a central theme in the poem, and its importance cannot be overstated. The city is portrayed as a place of beauty and wonder, with a rich history and a cultural legacy that spans centuries. It is a city that has inspired countless poets, artists, and writers throughout history, and Wilde's poem is no exception.

Rome is also a symbol of the past and the narrator's lost love. The city represents a time and a place that he can never return to, and his longing to be reunited with his past love is inextricably linked to Rome. Without the city as a backdrop, the poem would lose much of its power and depth.

The Use of Irony and Paradox

Wilde's use of irony and paradox is a defining feature of his writing style, and they are employed to great effect in Rome Unvisited. The poem begins with the line "Thou hast not been where friars pray," which is a paradoxical statement given the religious history of Rome.

Similarly, the narrator describes Rome as a city that is both "dead" and "eternal," a paradox that highlights the complexity and contradictions of the city. The use of irony is also evident in lines such as "Where the yellow Tiber flows," which is a nod to the river's polluted state at the time Wilde wrote the poem.

The Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Rome Unvisited is a literary masterpiece that showcases Wilde's unique writing style and explores themes of lost love, regret, and the passing of time. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of memory in shaping our lives.

Wilde's use of vivid imagery, irony, and paradox creates a work that is both beautiful and haunting, drawing the reader into the narrator's world and leaving a lasting impression. Rome Unvisited is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and seeks to explore the complexities of the human heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Exploring the Beauty of "Rome Unvisited" by Oscar Wilde

As a literary enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the works of Oscar Wilde. His ability to weave words into beautiful and thought-provoking pieces of literature is truly remarkable. One of his most famous poems, "Rome Unvisited," is a perfect example of his mastery of the art of poetry.

"Rome Unvisited" is a poem that explores the beauty and grandeur of Rome, a city that has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. The poem is written in the form of a monologue, with the speaker expressing his regret at not having visited Rome before. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of Rome's beauty.

The first stanza of the poem focuses on the architecture of Rome. The speaker describes the city's ancient buildings, which are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the people who built them. He marvels at the grandeur of the Colosseum, the majesty of the Pantheon, and the beauty of the Forum. The speaker's admiration for these structures is evident in his words, which are filled with awe and wonder.

In the second stanza, the speaker turns his attention to the art and culture of Rome. He speaks of the city's museums and galleries, which are filled with priceless works of art. He describes the beauty of the sculptures and paintings, and the way they capture the essence of the city's history and culture. The speaker's words are filled with a sense of longing, as he wishes he could have seen these works of art for himself.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Here, the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the impermanence of all things. He speaks of the ruins of Rome, which are a reminder of the city's former glory. He laments the fact that he will never be able to see Rome as it once was, and that all he can do is imagine what it must have been like.

Throughout the poem, Wilde's use of language is masterful. His words are carefully chosen to convey the beauty and grandeur of Rome, and to evoke a sense of longing and regret in the reader. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, which brings the city to life in the mind's eye. The use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the word "Rome," adds to the poem's sense of rhythm and flow.

One of the most striking aspects of "Rome Unvisited" is its universal appeal. The poem speaks to the human experience of longing and regret, and to the way in which we are all shaped by the places we have been and the things we have seen. Even if we have never been to Rome, we can still relate to the speaker's sense of loss and longing.

In conclusion, "Rome Unvisited" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of Rome's beauty and grandeur. Wilde's use of language is masterful, and his words evoke a sense of longing and regret in the reader. The poem is a testament to the power of literature to transport us to other times and places, and to the way in which our experiences shape who we are. If you have not yet read "Rome Unvisited," I highly recommend it. It is a true masterpiece of poetry, and one that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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