'Yvonne Of Brittany' by Ernest Dowson
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In your mother's apple-orchard,
Just a year ago, last spring:
Do you remember, Yvonne!
The dear trees lavishing
Rain of their starry blossoms
To make you a coronet?
Do you ever remember, Yvonne,
As I remember yet?
In your mother's apple-orchard,
When the world was left behind:
You were shy, so shy, Yvonne!
But your eyes were calm and kind.
We spoke of the apple harvest,
When the cider press is set,
And such-like trifles, Yvonne,
That doubtless you forget.
In the still, soft Breton twilight,
We were silent; words were few,
Till your mother came out chiding,
For the grass was bright with dew:
But I know your heart was beating,
Like a fluttered, frightened dove.
Do you ever remember, Yvonne,
That first faint flush of love?
In the fulness of midsummer,
When the apple-bloom was shed,
Oh, brave was your surrender,
Though shy the words you said.
I was glad, so glad, Yvonne!
To have led you home at last;
Do you ever remember, Yvonne,
How swiftly the days passed?
In your mother's apple-orchard
It is grown too dark to stray,
There is none to chide you, Yvonne!
You are over far away.
There is dew on your grave grass, Yvonne!
But your feet it shall not wet:
No, you never remember, Yvonne!
And I shall soon forget.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Yvonne Of Brittany: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Emotion
Ernest Dowson's poem "Yvonne of Brittany" is a masterpiece of symbolism and emotion. It captures the essence of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The poem tells the story of a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman named Yvonne, who is engaged to another man. The protagonist's love for Yvonne is so strong that it consumes him, and he is left with nothing but memories of their brief encounters.
The poem is not merely a narrative, but rather, it is a work of art that is full of symbolism and imagery. Dowson uses various poetic devices to convey the emotions that the protagonist feels. The poem is full of metaphors and similes that help the reader to understand the depth of the protagonist's feelings.
The poem begins with the protagonist recalling his first encounter with Yvonne. He describes her as a "queenly stranger" who captures his heart with a single glance. The use of the word "queenly" is significant, as it implies that Yvonne is not just an ordinary woman, but rather, she is someone who is above the rest. The use of this metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that Yvonne is someone who is unattainable, and yet, the protagonist is hopelessly in love with her.
The protagonist goes on to describe Yvonne's beauty in great detail. He talks about her "liquid eyes," her "lips that shame the red red rose," and her "white hands." The use of these metaphors is significant, as they suggest that Yvonne is not just physically beautiful, but she is also someone who is pure and innocent. The use of the metaphor "lips that shame the red red rose" is particularly powerful, as it implies that Yvonne's beauty is so great that even nature pales in comparison.
As the poem progresses, the protagonist's love for Yvonne becomes more evident. He talks about how he longs to be near her and how he is filled with despair when he is away from her. He says, "Oh, to be near her, / To breathe the air she breathes, / And mingle our dark hair, / Our bosoms and our wreaths!" These lines are significant, as they suggest that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is not just physical, but it is also spiritual. He does not just want to be physically close to her, but he also wants to be spiritually connected to her.
The poem is also full of religious imagery. Dowson uses the imagery of the "cross" and the "crown" to symbolize the protagonist's love for Yvonne. He says, "I have taken the cross of my salvation, / I have sworn with a solemn oath / I will follow the flag of my nation / To the uttermost ends of the earth." These lines are significant, as they suggest that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is not just a physical desire, but it is also a spiritual journey. He is willing to give up everything for her, including his own salvation. The use of the word "cross" is significant, as it suggests that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is a form of sacrifice.
The poem also uses the imagery of dreams to convey the protagonist's emotions. He says, "I have dreamed of her in the night, / And the night has passed away, / But the memory of her delight / Is with me day by day." These lines are significant, as they suggest that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is not just a fleeting emotion, but it is something that is deeply ingrained in his subconscious. The use of the word "dream" is significant, as it suggests that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is an idealized version of reality.
The poem ends with the protagonist expressing his despair at the thought of Yvonne marrying another man. He says, "But another claims her hand, / And another claims her heart, / And I know not where to stand, / For I know we must be apart." These lines are significant, as they suggest that the protagonist's love for Yvonne is ultimately futile. He knows that he can never have her, and yet, he cannot help but love her.
In conclusion, "Yvonne of Brittany" is a masterpiece of symbolism and emotion. Dowson's use of metaphors, similes, and religious imagery help to convey the depth of the protagonist's emotions. The poem captures the essence of unrequited love, and the pain that comes with it. It is a work of art that is both beautiful and tragic, and it is a testament to the power of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Yvonne Of Brittany: A Classic Poem by Ernest Dowson
Ernest Dowson, a prominent English poet of the late 19th century, is known for his melancholic and romantic poetry. His poem "Yvonne of Brittany" is a classic example of his style, which is characterized by a sense of longing, nostalgia, and a fascination with beauty and death.
The poem tells the story of Yvonne, a beautiful and mysterious woman from Brittany, who captures the heart of the narrator. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of Yvonne's character and the narrator's feelings towards her.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces Yvonne as a figure of mystery and enchantment. The narrator describes her as "a lady of old romance" and "a queen of sorcery," suggesting that she possesses a magical quality that sets her apart from ordinary mortals. He is captivated by her beauty and her "strange, sweet, sad" smile, which seems to hint at a deeper, more profound sadness beneath the surface.
The second stanza delves deeper into Yvonne's character, revealing her as a woman who is both alluring and dangerous. The narrator describes her as a "siren" who lures men to their doom with her beauty and her "witchery." He is aware of the danger she poses, but he cannot resist her charms, and he is willing to risk everything for the chance to be with her.
The third and final stanza is the most poignant and the most melancholic. Here, the narrator reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. He realizes that his love for Yvonne is doomed to end in tragedy, and he laments the fact that he cannot hold onto her forever. He compares her to a flower that will wither and die, and he knows that he must let her go, even though it breaks his heart.
The poem is a masterful exploration of the themes of beauty, love, and mortality. Dowson's use of language is exquisite, and his imagery is both vivid and haunting. He creates a sense of longing and nostalgia that is almost palpable, and he captures the essence of the romantic spirit of his time.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "Yvonne of Brittany" is repeated throughout the poem, almost like a refrain, emphasizing the importance of the character and the impact she has on the narrator. The repetition of the word "strange" also adds to the sense of mystery and enchantment that surrounds Yvonne.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of alliteration and assonance. The repetition of the "s" sound in the second stanza ("siren," "spell," "sorcery") creates a sense of seduction and danger, while the repetition of the "w" sound in the third stanza ("wither," "waste," "weary") adds to the sense of sadness and loss.
Overall, "Yvonne of Brittany" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the romantic spirit of the late 19th century. Dowson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his exploration of the themes of beauty, love, and mortality is both poignant and timeless. It is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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