'Tear , The' by George Gordon, Lord Byron


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When Friendship or Love
Our sympathies move;
When Truth, in a glance, should appear,
The lips may beguile,
With a dimple or smile,
But the test of affection's a Tear:

Too oft is a smile
But the hypocrite's wile,
To mask detestation, or fear;
Give me the soft sigh,
Whilst the soultelling eye
Is dimm'd, for a time, with a Tear:

Mild Charity's glow,
To us mortals below,
Shows the soul from barbarity clear;
Compassion will melt,
Where this virtue is felt,
And its dew is diffused in a Tear:

The man, doom'd to sail
With the blast of the gale,
Through billows Atlantic to steer,
As he bends o'er the wave
Which may soon be his grave,
The green sparkles bright with a Tear;

The Soldier braves death
For a fanciful wreath
In Glory's romantic career;
But he raises the foe
When in battle laid low,
And bathes every wound with a Tear.

If, with high-bounding pride,
He return to his bride!
Renouncing the gore-crimson'd spear;
All his toils are repaid
When, embracing the maid,
From her eyelid he kisses the Tear.

Sweet scene of my youth!
Seat of Friendship and Truth,
Where Love chas'd each fast-fleeting year
Loth to leave thee, I mourn'd,
For a last look I turn'd,
But thy spire was scarce seen through a Tear:

Though my vows I can pour,
To my Mary no more,
My Mary, to Love once so dear,
In the shade of her bow'r,
I remember the hour,
She rewarded those vows with a Tear.

By another possest,
May she live ever blest!
Her name still my heart must revere:
With a sigh I resign,
What I once thought was mine,
And forgive her deceit with a Tear.

Ye friends of my heart,
Ere from you I depart,
This hope to my breast is most near:
If again we shall meet,
In this rural retreat,
May we meet, as we part, with a Tear.

When my soul wings her flight
To the regions of night,
And my corse shall recline on its bier;
As ye pass by the tomb,
Where my ashes consume,
Oh! moisten their dust with a Tear.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Tear by Lord Byron: A Masterpiece of Emotional Expression

Oh, how powerful words can be! They have the ability to evoke emotions, stir thoughts, and transport us to a different world altogether. And when it comes to poetry, Lord Byron is a name that needs no introduction. His works are timeless and continue to leave an indelible mark on the literary world. One such piece of his that stands out is Tear. Written with profound emotion and a deep understanding of the human psyche, Tear is a masterpiece that deserves to be analyzed and interpreted in detail.

Background

Tear was written by Lord Byron in 1813, during the Romantic period. This was a time when poets and writers were exploring the depths of human emotions and the natural world. It was a reaction to the Enlightenment era, which placed reason and logic above all else. The Romantic era was characterized by a celebration of nature, individualism, and the imagination.

Analysis

Tear is a short poem that has only four stanzas, each consisting of two lines. However, its brevity is not a reflection of its depth. On the contrary, the poem is a profound exploration of human emotions, specifically the feeling of sadness.

When Friendship or Love Our sympathies move; When Truth, in a glance, should appear, The lips may beguile, With a dimple or smile, But the test of affection's a Tear:

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. It talks about how friendship or love can move us and how we look for truth in the eyes of our loved ones. However, the poet warns us that appearances can be deceiving, and the true test of affection is a tear.

This stanza is a reflection of the Romantic era's fascination with emotions and the importance of intuition over reason. The poet is saying that we should trust our gut feelings and not be swayed by appearances.

Too oft is a smile But the hypocrite's wile, To mask detestation, or fear; Give me the soft sigh, Whilst the soultelling eye Is dimm'd, for a time, with a Tear:

The second stanza talks about how a smile can be deceptive and a tool for masking true feelings. The poet prefers a soft sigh and a tear that reveals the true emotions of a person. The reference to a "soultelling eye" is powerful and suggests that tears can reveal the true essence of a person's soul.

This stanza is a reflection of the Romantic era's fascination with the inner self and the importance of authenticity. The poet is saying that we should be true to ourselves and not hide our emotions behind a mask of false smiles.

Mild Charity's glow, To us mortals below, Shows the soul from barbaric deformity; Mercy, leading us along, Watches over the young, And gives to the drooping, herwing, a Tree:

The third stanza talks about the power of charity and mercy. The poet suggests that these virtues have the ability to transform our souls from barbarity to beauty. The reference to a "herwing" is metaphorical and suggests that mercy can give us wings and help us soar to greater heights.

This stanza is a reflection of the Romantic era's fascination with the power of love and the importance of empathy. The poet is saying that we should be compassionate and merciful towards others, especially the young and the vulnerable.

When Hope, every day, Wears a fresh golden ray; And joy sheds her sunbeam abroad; The inmate of sorrow, Can seldom borrow So much as a smile from a God.

The final stanza talks about the struggle of those who are in sorrow. The poet suggests that even in moments of hope and joy, those who are in sorrow cannot find solace. The reference to a "smile from a God" is powerful and suggests that even divine intervention cannot always bring comfort.

This stanza is a reflection of the Romantic era's fascination with the power of emotions and the importance of empathy. The poet is saying that we should be compassionate towards those who are in sorrow and understand that their pain cannot be easily alleviated.

Interpretation

Tear is a powerful poem that explores the depths of human emotions. It is a reflection of the Romantic era's fascination with the inner self and the importance of intuition and authenticity. The poet suggests that we should trust our gut feelings and not be swayed by appearances. He also suggests that we should be true to ourselves and not hide our emotions behind a mask of false smiles.

The poem also emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion. The poet suggests that we should be merciful and kind towards those who are vulnerable and in sorrow. He suggests that even divine intervention cannot always bring comfort, and we should understand and acknowledge the pain of those who are suffering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tear is a masterpiece of emotional expression. It is a powerful poem that explores the depths of human emotions and emphasizes the importance of intuition, authenticity, and empathy. Lord Byron's poetic genius shines through in this piece, and it continues to be a timeless and relevant piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tear, written by George Gordon, Lord Byron, is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning behind the words and explore the themes that make this poem so powerful.

The poem begins with the line, "When I speak, my words fly up like a tear." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the speaker's emotional state. The use of the simile "like a tear" is particularly effective, as tears are often associated with sadness and vulnerability. This line suggests that the speaker is feeling emotional and that their words are a reflection of their innermost feelings.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's words as "winged things" that "scatter." This imagery is powerful, as it suggests that the speaker's words are not just words, but rather living beings that have the power to move and affect others. The use of the word "scatter" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker's words are not always controlled or intentional. Instead, they are free to move and take on a life of their own.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to reflect on the power of poetry. They describe poetry as a "sorrowful joy" that can "make us less alone." This line is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the universal human experience of feeling alone and isolated. The speaker suggests that poetry has the power to connect us to others and to help us feel less alone in the world.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's own experience with poetry. They describe how poetry has helped them to "find a voice" and to "speak my heart." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker has found a way to express themselves through poetry that they may not have been able to do otherwise. This speaks to the transformative power of poetry and how it can help us to connect with our own emotions and experiences.

The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life. They describe how "life is but a day" and how "we must pass away." This line is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the universal human experience of mortality. The speaker suggests that poetry has the power to help us make sense of our own mortality and to find meaning in our lives.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they suggest that poetry has the power to transcend time and to connect us to those who have come before us. The speaker describes how "the dead poets, their songs still live" and how "we feel what they felt." This line speaks to the idea that poetry is a form of immortality, as it allows us to connect with those who have come before us and to feel their emotions and experiences.

In conclusion, Poetry Tear is a powerful and emotional piece of poetry that speaks to the universal human experience. Through its use of powerful imagery and poignant language, the poem explores themes of emotion, connection, mortality, and immortality. It is a testament to the transformative power of poetry and its ability to help us make sense of our own lives and experiences. As Lord Byron himself once said, "Poetry is the lava of the imagination whose eruption prevents an earthquake." Poetry Tear is a perfect example of this sentiment, as it is a powerful eruption of emotion and imagination that has the power to move and affect us all.

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