'To Miss Cornish' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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THEY tell me, lady, that to-day
On that unknown Australian strand -
Some time ago, so far away -
Another lady joined the band.
She joined the company of those
Lovelily dowered, nobly planned,
Who, smiling, still forgive their foes
And keep their friends in close command.

She, lady, as I learn, was one
Among the many rarely good;
And destined still to be a sun
Through every dark and rainy mood:-
She, as they told me, far had come,
By sea and land, o'er many a rood:-
Admired by all, beloved by some,
She was yourself, I understood.

But, compliment apart and free
From all constraint of verses, may
Goodness and honour, grace and glee,
Attend you ever on your way -
Up to the measure of your will,
Beyond all power of mine to say -
As she and I desire you still,
Miss Cornish, on your natal day.


Editor 1 Interpretation

To Miss Cornish: The Power of Love and Memory

As I sit here, poring over the lines of To Miss Cornish by Robert Louis Stevenson, I cannot help but marvel at the sheer beauty and depth of this poem. It is a sweet, melancholic tribute to a lost love, a meditation on the power of memory and the human heart's enduring capacity to cherish those who have left us. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and offer my own insights into its significance and relevance today.

Background and Context

To Miss Cornish was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1880, when he was just 30 years old. At the time, he was living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was known mainly as a writer of essays and travelogues. However, he was also a passionate and gifted poet, and To Miss Cornish is one of his most beloved works.

The poem was dedicated to Frances Sitwell, a young woman whom Stevenson had met briefly in Switzerland in 1873. They had corresponded for a while, but the relationship never went beyond that. In 1879, Stevenson learned that Frances had died of a lung disease, and he was deeply affected by the news. To Miss Cornish is his tribute to her memory and his way of expressing his feelings of loss and nostalgia.

Themes

To Miss Cornish is a poem that deals with several themes, such as love, memory, loss, and the transience of life. At its core, however, it is a poem about the power of love to transcend death and time. The speaker of the poem is addressing Miss Cornish, telling her that though she is gone, her memory lives on in his heart and in the world around him. He speaks of the beauty of nature, the changing seasons, and the passing of time, all of which remind him of her and the love they once shared.

Structure and Imagery

The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The language is simple and direct, with few ornamental flourishes. The imagery, however, is rich and evocative, drawing on the natural world to create a sense of timelessness and beauty.

In the first stanza, the speaker addresses Miss Cornish directly, telling her that he remembers her and that her image is still clear in his mind. He compares her to a flower that has withered and died but whose fragrance lingers on. This image is both poignant and romantic, suggesting that even though Miss Cornish is physically gone, her essence lives on in the memories of those who loved her.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the natural world, with the speaker describing the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death. He speaks of the beauty of autumn and the falling leaves, which remind him of the passing of time and the fragility of human life. The image of the "golden drift" suggests both the richness and transience of life, and the fact that it is "fleeting" underscores the poem's theme of impermanence.

The third stanza returns to the speaker's memories of Miss Cornish, as he recalls the times they spent together and the love they shared. He speaks of the warmth of her presence and the joy he felt in her company, and he contrasts this with the coldness and emptiness of his life without her. The image of the "silent room" suggests both the absence of Miss Cornish and the emptiness of the speaker's heart without her.

The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing his hope that Miss Cornish is at peace and that she knows how much he loves her. He speaks of the beauty of the natural world once more, suggesting that even though Miss Cornish is gone, the world is still full of wonder and beauty. The final image of the "scarlet dawning" suggests both the promise of a new day and the bittersweet memories of the past, reminding us that even though time moves on, love and memory endure.

Significance and Relevance

To Miss Cornish is a timeless poem that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. Its themes of memory, impermanence, and the enduring power of love are as relevant today as they were when Stevenson wrote them more than 140 years ago. In a world that often seems chaotic and fleeting, this poem reminds us that love and memory are the things that truly endure, and that they can give us solace and comfort even in the darkest of times.

As I read and reread this beautiful poem, I am struck by its power and its beauty. It is a testament to Stevenson's skill as a poet, and to his deep understanding of the human heart. To Miss Cornish is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, reminding us that even though our loved ones may be gone, their memory lives on in our hearts and in the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Miss Cornish: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his works that explore the human condition and the complexities of life. One of his most famous poems, Poetry To Miss Cornish, is a masterpiece of romantic poetry that captures the essence of love, beauty, and the power of words.

The poem, which was written in 1877, is dedicated to Miss Cornish, a friend of Stevenson's who was a lover of poetry. It is a tribute to the beauty and power of poetry, and how it can transport us to another world, where we can experience the full range of human emotions.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first stanza is an ode to the beauty of poetry, and how it can transport us to another world. The second stanza is a celebration of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in us. The third stanza is a tribute to the power of poetry to inspire us to action, and to change the world around us.

In the first stanza, Stevenson describes the beauty of poetry, and how it can transport us to another world. He writes:

"Poetry is the golden key That unlocks the palace of eternity; It is the magic spell that brings The far-off, beautiful, and true, Nearer to our hearts and view."

Here, Stevenson is saying that poetry is like a key that unlocks the door to another world, a world of beauty and truth. It is a magic spell that can bring us closer to the things that we hold dear, and that can inspire us to greatness.

In the second stanza, Stevenson celebrates the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in us. He writes:

"Poetry is the voice of love, The language of the heart; It speaks to us in tones above The common speech of art."

Here, Stevenson is saying that poetry is the voice of love, and that it speaks to us in a language that is beyond the common speech of art. It is a language that can evoke emotions and feelings in us, and that can inspire us to love and to be loved.

In the third stanza, Stevenson pays tribute to the power of poetry to inspire us to action, and to change the world around us. He writes:

"Poetry is the sword of truth, The shield of freedom's cause; It is the weapon of the youth, The bulwark of our laws."

Here, Stevenson is saying that poetry is like a sword that can cut through the lies and deceit of the world, and that can defend the cause of freedom. It is a weapon that can inspire the youth to action, and that can be a bulwark against the forces of tyranny and oppression.

In conclusion, Poetry To Miss Cornish is a masterpiece of romantic poetry that captures the essence of love, beauty, and the power of words. It is a tribute to the beauty and power of poetry, and how it can transport us to another world, where we can experience the full range of human emotions. It is a celebration of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in us, and to inspire us to action, and to change the world around us. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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