'Dejection: An Ode' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge


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Late, late yestreen I saw the new moon,
With the old moon in her arms;
And I fear, I fear, my master dear!
We shall have a deadly storm.
Ballad of Sir Patrick Spence.

I

Well! If the Bard was weather-wise, who made
The grand old ballad of Sir Patrick Spence,
This night, so tranquil now, will not go hence
Unroused by winds, that ply a busier trade
Than those which mould yon cloud in lazy flakes,
Or the dull sobbing draft, that moans and rakes
Upon the strings of this Aeolian lute,
Which better far were mute.
For lo! the New-moon winter-bright!
And overspread with phantom light,
(With swimming phantom light o'erspread
But rimmed and circled by a silver thread)
I see the old Moon in her lap, foretelling
The coming-on of rain and squally blast.
And oh! that even now the gust were swelling,
And the slant night-shower driving loud and fast!
Those sounds which oft have raised me, whilst they awed,
And sent my soul abroad,
Might now perhaps their wonted impulse give,
Might startle this dull pain, and make it move and live!

II

A grief without a pang, void, dark, and drear,
A stifled, drowsy, unimpassioned grief,
Which finds no natural outlet, no relief,
In word, or sigh, or tear—
O Lady! in this wan and heartless mood,
To other thoughts by yonder throstle wooed,
All this long eve, so balmy and serene,
Have I been gazing on the western sky,
And its peculiar tint of yellow green:
And still I gaze—and with how blank an eye!
And those thin clouds above, in flakes and bars,
That give away their motion to the stars;
Those stars, that glide behind them or between,
Now sparkling, now bedimmed, but always seen:
Yon crescent Moon, as fixed as if it grew
In its own cloudless, starless lake of blue;
I see them all so excellently fair,
I see, not feel, how beautiful they are!

III

My genial spirits fail;
And what can these avail
To lift the smothering weight from off my breast?
It were a vain endeavour,
Though I should gaze forever
On that green light that lingers in the west:
I may not hope from outward forms to win
The passion and the life, whose fountains are within.

IV

O Lady! we receive but what we give,
And in our life alone does Nature live:
Ours is her wedding-garment, ours her shroud!
And would we aught behold, of higher worth,
Than that inanimate cold world allowed
To the poor loveless ever-anxious crowd,
Ah! from the soul itself must issue forth
A light, a glory, a fair luminous cloud
Enveloping the Earth—
And from the soul itself must there be sent
A sweet and potent voice, of its own birth,
Of all sweet sounds the life and element!

V

O pure of heart! thou need'st not ask of me
What this strong music in the soul may be!
What, and wherein it doth exist,
This light, this glory, this fair luminous mist,
This beautiful and beauty-making power.
Joy, virtuous Lady! Joy that ne'er was given,
Save to the pure, and in their purest hour,
Life, and Life's effluence, cloud at once and shower,
Joy, Lady! is the spirit and the power,
Which wedding Nature to us gives in dower,
A new Earth and new Heaven,
Undreamt of by the sensual and the proud—
Joy is the sweet voice, Joy the luminous cloud—
We in ourselves rejoice!
And thence flows all that charms or ear or sight,
All melodies the echoes of that voice,
All colours a suffusion from that light.

VI

There was a time when, though my path was rough,
This joy within me dallied with distress,
And all misfortunes were but as the stuff
Whence Fancy made me dreams of happiness:
For hope grew round me, like the twining vine,
And fruits, and foliage, not my own, seemed mine.
But now afflictions bow me down to earth:
Nor care I that they rob me of my mirth;
But oh! each visitation
Suspends what Nature gave me at my birth,
My shaping spirit of Imagination.
For not to think of what I needs must feel,
But to be still and patient, all I can;
And haply by abstruse research to steal
From my own nature all the natural man—
This was my sole resource, my only plan:
Till that which suits a part infects the whole,
And now is almost grown the habit of my soul.

VII

Hence, viper thoughts, that coil around my mind,
Reality's dark dream!
I turn from you, and listen to the wind,
Which long has raved unnoticed. What a scream
Of agony by torture lengthened out
That lute sent forth! Thou Wind, that rav'st without,
Bare crag, or mountain-tairn, or blasted tree,
Or pine-grove whither woodman never clomb,
Or lonely house, long held the witches' home,
Methinks were fitter instruments for thee,
Mad Lutanist! who in this month of showers,
Of dark-brown gardens, and of peeping flowers,
Mak'st Devils' yule, with worse than wintry song,
The blossoms, buds, and timorous leaves among.
Thou actor, perfect in all tragic sounds!
Thou mighty poet, e'en to frenzy bold!
What tell'st thou now about?
'Tis of the rushing of an host in rout,
With groans, of trampled men, with smarting wounds—
At once they groan with pain, and shudder with the cold!
But hush! there is a pause of deepest silence!
And all that noise, as of a rushing crowd,
With groans, and tremulous shudderings—all is over—
It tells another tale, with sounds less deep and loud!
A tale of less affright,
And tempered with delight,
As Otway's self had framed the tender lay—
'Tis of a little child
Upon a lonesome wild,
Not far from home, but she hath lost her way:
And now moans low in bitter grief and fear,
And now screams loud, and hopes to make her mother hear.

VIII

'Tis midnight, but small thoughts have I of sleep:
Full seldom may my friend such vigils keep!
Visit her, gentle Sleep! with wings of healing,
And may this storm be but a mountain-birth,
May all the stars hang bright above her dwelling,
Silent as though they watched the sleeping Earth!
With light heart may she rise,
Gay fancy, cheerful eyes,
Joy lift her spirit, joy attune her voice;
To her may all things live, from pole to pole,
Their life the eddying of her living soul!
O simple spirit, guided from above,
Dear Lady! friend devoutest of my choice,
Thus mayst thou ever, evermore rejoice.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dejection: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Dejection: An Ode is a timeless poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1802. The poem is a reflection of the poet's state of mind, inspired by his personal experiences and the romantic movement. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of imagination while simultaneously expressing the sorrow and alienation the poet feels.

The Poet's Personal Experiences

Coleridge's personal experiences greatly influenced the writing of Dejection: An Ode. The poet was deeply immersed in the Romantic movement, which emphasized the beauty of nature and the power of imagination. However, Coleridge's personal life was marked by sadness and alienation. He struggled with depression and addiction, which often left him feeling isolated and alone.

It is this dichotomy between the beauty of nature and the darkness within himself that is explored in Dejection: An Ode. The poem is a reflection of Coleridge's personal struggles and his search for a way to reconcile the two opposing forces within himself.

The Beauty of Nature

One of the defining characteristics of Dejection: An Ode is its celebration of the beauty of nature. In the opening lines of the poem, Coleridge describes the moon as "the gentlest mother" and the stars as "the living soul of earth." He goes on to describe the beauty of the night sky, the ocean, and the mountains, all of which serve to create a sense of wonder and awe.

The beauty of nature is not just a backdrop to the poem, but an integral part of it. Coleridge sees the natural world as a source of inspiration and comfort. The beauty of the world around him is a reminder that there is something greater than himself, and that he is a part of a larger, interconnected universe.

The Power of Imagination

Another major theme in Dejection: An Ode is the power of imagination. Coleridge sees imagination as a way to transcend the limitations of the physical world and connect with something greater. In the poem, he describes how his imagination has the power to "create, create anew" and bring him out of his melancholy state.

The poet's imagination is not just a tool for personal transformation, but a means of connecting with others. Coleridge believes that his imagination can help him connect with his fellow human beings and create a sense of unity and understanding.

The Sorrow and Alienation

Despite the beauty of nature and the power of imagination, Dejection: An Ode is still a deeply emotional and personal poem. Coleridge's personal struggles with depression and addiction are evident throughout the poem. He describes his feelings of sorrow and alienation, which are intensified by his sense of isolation.

The poet's emotions are raw and powerful, and they serve as a reminder of the complexity of the human experience. Coleridge's struggles are not unique, but they are deeply personal. The poem is a reminder that we all have our own struggles, and that we must find a way to reconcile these opposing forces within ourselves.

The Role of Poetry

One of the most interesting aspects of Dejection: An Ode is the role of poetry in the poet's life. Coleridge sees poetry as a way to connect with something greater than himself and transcend the limitations of the physical world. He believes that poetry has the power to transform the world, and that it is his duty as a poet to create works of great beauty and significance.

However, the poet also acknowledges the limitations of poetry. He recognizes that his words can only go so far, and that he can never truly capture the full beauty and complexity of the natural world. Despite this, Coleridge continues to write poetry, driven by his belief in its transformative power.

Conclusion

Dejection: An Ode is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the beauty of nature, the power of imagination, and the sorrow and alienation that comes with the human experience. Coleridge's personal struggles with depression and addiction are evident throughout the poem, adding to its emotional depth and complexity.

Despite the darkness within the poem, there is also a sense of hope and resilience. Coleridge believes in the transformative power of poetry and the ability of the human imagination to connect with something greater than ourselves. In the end, Dejection: An Ode is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of the human experience and a reminder of our shared humanity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dejection: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary scholars for centuries. This poem is a reflection of the poet's emotional state and his struggle with depression. In this article, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his feelings of sadness and despair. He describes his state of mind as "dejection," which is a feeling of sadness and low spirits. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of nature around him, but he is unable to appreciate it because of his emotional state. He says, "The day is gone, and all its sweets are gone!" This line suggests that the speaker is unable to enjoy the beauty of the day because of his depression.

The theme of nature is a recurring motif in this poem. The speaker describes the beauty of nature around him, but he is unable to appreciate it because of his emotional state. He says, "The sylvan slopes with corn-clad fields, / And the tall vineyard too / Have missed their lovely summer hue." This line suggests that even though nature is beautiful, the speaker is unable to see its beauty because of his depression.

The speaker then goes on to describe his feelings of loneliness and isolation. He says, "No more - oh! never more / Shall I behold thy face." This line suggests that the speaker is feeling lonely and isolated because he is unable to see the beauty of nature around him.

The theme of loneliness and isolation is also a recurring motif in this poem. The speaker describes his feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are common symptoms of depression. He says, "With thee, my bark I'll swiftly go / Athwart the foaming brine." This line suggests that the speaker is feeling isolated and alone because he is unable to connect with others.

The speaker then goes on to describe his feelings of despair and hopelessness. He says, "But there are woes of darker hue / Than the death of friends, or loss of fame." This line suggests that the speaker is feeling hopeless and despairing because he is unable to see any hope for the future.

The theme of despair and hopelessness is also a recurring motif in this poem. The speaker describes his feelings of despair and hopelessness, which are common symptoms of depression. He says, "And the sad truth which hovers o'er my desk, / Turns what was once romantic to burlesque." This line suggests that the speaker is feeling hopeless and despairing because he is unable to see any hope for the future.

The literary devices used in this poem are also worth noting. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in poetry. The use of this meter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem also uses imagery to describe the beauty of nature around the speaker. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The poem also uses symbolism to convey its meaning. The speaker uses the image of a ship to represent his emotional state. He says, "With thee, my bark I'll swiftly go / Athwart the foaming brine." This line suggests that the speaker is feeling lost and adrift, like a ship on the ocean.

The overall meaning of this poem is that depression can make it difficult to appreciate the beauty of life. The speaker is surrounded by the beauty of nature, but he is unable to appreciate it because of his emotional state. The poem also suggests that depression can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, despair, and hopelessness.

In conclusion, Dejection: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a classic poem that explores the themes of nature, loneliness, isolation, despair, and hopelessness. The poem uses literary devices such as imagery and symbolism to convey its meaning. The overall message of the poem is that depression can make it difficult to appreciate the beauty of life. This poem is a powerful reflection of the poet's emotional state and his struggle with depression.

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