'The Three Beggars' by William Butler Yeats


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i{"Though to my feathers in the wet,}
i{I have stood here from break of day.}
i{I have not found a thing to eat,}
i{For only rubbish comes my way.}
i{Am I to live on lebeen-lone?'}
i{Muttered the old crane of Gort.}
i{"For all my pains on lebeen-lone?'}
King Guaire walked amid his court
The palace-yard and river-side
And there to three old beggars said,
"You that have wandered far and wide
Can ravel out what's in my head.
Do men who least desire get most,
Or get the most who most desire?'
A beggar said, "They get the most
Whom man or devil cannot tire,
And what could make their muscles taut
Unless desire had made them so?'
But Guaire laughed with secret thought,
"If that be true as it seems true,
One of you three is a rich man,
For he shall have a thousand pounds
Who is first asleep, if but he can
Sleep before the third noon sounds."
And thereon, merry as a bird
With his old thoughts, King Guaire went
From river-side and palace-yard
And left them to their argument.
"And if I win,' one beggar said,
'Though I am old I shall persuade
A pretty girl to share my bed';
The second:"I shall learn a trade';
The third:"I'll hurry' to the course
Among the other gentlemen,
And lay it all upon a horse';
The second:"I have thought again:
A farmer has more dignity.'
One to another sighed and cried:
The exorbitant dreams of beggary.
That idleness had borne to pride,
Sang through their teeth from noon to noon;
And when the sccond twilight brought
The frenzy of the beggars' moon
None closed his blood-shot eyes but sought
To keep his fellows from their sleep;
All shouted till their anger grew
And they were whirling in a heap.
They mauled and bit the whole night through;
They mauled and bit till the day shone;
They mauled and bit through all that day
And till another night had gone,
Or if they made a moment's stay
They sat upon their heels to rail,,
And when old Guaire came and stood
Before the three to end this tale,
They were commingling lice and blood
"Time's up,' he cried, and all the three
With blood-shot eyes upon him stared.
"Time's up,' he eried, and all the three
Fell down upon the dust and snored.
<1"Maybe I shall be lucky yet,
Now they are silent,' said the crane.
"Though to my feathers in the wet
I've stood as I were made of stone
And seen the rubbish run about,
It's certain there are trout somewhere
And maybe I shall take a trout
but I do not seem to care.'>1


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Three Beggars: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

As a literary work of art, The Three Beggars is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats. Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright whose works are renowned for their musicality, symbolism, and mysticism. The Three Beggars is among his most celebrated poems, and it is a perfect example of how Yeats masterfully employs alliteration, assonance, and imagery to create a powerful and evocative piece of literature.

Yeats' Symbolism

Yeats' use of symbolism is one of the most striking aspects of The Three Beggars. The poem is a symbolic representation of the human condition, and it is full of allegories and metaphors that deepen its meaning. The three beggars in the poem represent three fundamental aspects of human existence: poverty, desire, and death.

The first beggar, who "asked for nothing," represents poverty. He is a symbol of the destitute and the downtrodden, who are often invisible to society. Yeats describes him as "a stick thin, grey shadow," highlighting his frailty and insignificance. The second beggar, who "asked for an old song," represents desire. He is a symbol of the human need for beauty, art, and love. Yeats describes him as "a fool in a cloak of gold," emphasizing his misplaced priorities and the futility of his pursuit. The third beggar, who "asked for my soul," represents death. He is a symbol of mortality and the inevitable end of human existence. Yeats describes him as "a dark-faced, laughing man," suggesting the ambiguity and complexity of death as both a tragedy and a release.

The Power of Imagery

Yeats' use of imagery is equally impressive in The Three Beggars. The poem is full of vivid and evocative descriptions that create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The first stanza, for instance, describes "a cold wind from the mountain top," conjuring up a sense of desolation and isolation. The description of the first beggar as "a stick thin, grey shadow" creates a powerful image of destitution and despair. The second stanza, with its description of the "old song," is a beautiful and haunting representation of the human need for beauty and art. Yeats' description of the second beggar as "a fool in a cloak of gold" is a striking image that captures the futility and superficiality of material wealth. The final stanza, with its depiction of the third beggar as "a dark-faced, laughing man," is a powerful image that conveys the complexity and ambiguity of death as both a tragedy and a release.

The Musicality of the Poem

Another notable aspect of The Three Beggars is its musicality. Yeats was a master of using rhythm and sound to create a sense of musicality in his poems, and The Three Beggars is a perfect example of this. The poem has a simple, yet powerful rhythm that creates a sense of momentum and urgency. The repetition of the phrase "asked for" in each stanza creates a sense of structure and repetition, which reinforces the sense of symbolism in the poem.

Moreover, Yeats' use of alliteration and assonance is masterful. The repetition of the "s" sound in the first stanza ("a cold wind from the mountain top / Soughed all night through the forest") creates a sense of desolation and isolation. The repetition of the "f" sound in the second stanza ("He asked for an old song / That the grey-headed sings") creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The repetition of the "m" sound in the final stanza ("He asked for my soul / And held out a toad") creates a sense of morbidity and horror.

The Deeper Meaning of the Poem

The Three Beggars is a poem that resonates deeply with readers because of its universal themes and its evocative imagery. The poem is a powerful representation of the human condition, and it speaks to our need for beauty, our fear of death, and our empathy for those who suffer.

At its heart, The Three Beggars is a poem about the frailty and transience of human existence. It reminds us that no matter how rich or powerful we may be, we are all vulnerable to poverty, desire, and death. Moreover, the poem is a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in our lives. It asks us to recognize the suffering of those who are less fortunate than us and to extend a helping hand to those in need.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Three Beggars is a masterpiece of William Butler Yeats. It is a poem that combines powerful symbolism, vivid imagery, and musicality to create a deeply evocative and meaningful work of art. The poem is a reminder of our shared humanity, and it speaks to our need for beauty, our fear of death, and our empathy for those who suffer. As a literary work of art, The Three Beggars is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Three Beggars: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their depth, symbolism, and lyrical beauty. One of his most famous poems is "The Three Beggars," which was first published in 1928. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it is a perfect example of Yeats' unique style and vision.

"The Three Beggars" is a poem that explores the themes of poverty, death, and the human condition. The poem is structured in three parts, each of which tells the story of a different beggar. The first beggar is a young boy who is begging for food. The second beggar is an old man who is begging for money. The third beggar is a blind man who is begging for sight. Each of these beggars represents a different aspect of the human experience, and Yeats uses them to explore the deeper meaning of life.

The first part of the poem tells the story of the young boy who is begging for food. The boy is described as "thin and pale," and he is begging for bread. The speaker of the poem, who is presumably Yeats himself, is moved by the boy's plight and gives him some bread. The boy then disappears, leaving the speaker to reflect on the nature of poverty and the human condition.

The second part of the poem tells the story of the old man who is begging for money. The old man is described as "bent and grey," and he is begging for money to buy a drink. The speaker of the poem is initially hesitant to give the old man any money, but he eventually relents and gives him some coins. The old man then disappears, leaving the speaker to reflect on the nature of death and the passage of time.

The third part of the poem tells the story of the blind man who is begging for sight. The blind man is described as "blind and old," and he is begging for someone to restore his sight. The speaker of the poem is moved by the blind man's plight, but he is unable to help him. The blind man then disappears, leaving the speaker to reflect on the nature of suffering and the limitations of human existence.

The three beggars in the poem represent different aspects of the human experience. The young boy represents the struggle for survival and the basic human need for food and shelter. The old man represents the inevitability of death and the passage of time. The blind man represents the limitations of human existence and the struggle to overcome suffering.

Yeats uses these beggars to explore the deeper meaning of life. He suggests that life is a struggle, and that we are all beggars in one way or another. We are all struggling to survive, to find meaning in our lives, and to overcome the limitations of our existence. The poem suggests that we should be compassionate towards others, and that we should try to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. Yeats suggests that we are all bound by our mortality, and that we are all subject to the limitations of our existence. He suggests that we should embrace our limitations, and that we should strive to find meaning in our lives despite them.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in symbolism and imagery. Yeats uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is full of contrasts, such as the contrast between the young boy and the old man, or the contrast between the blind man and the speaker of the poem.

The poem is also full of religious and mythological references. The beggars are reminiscent of the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus, and the blind man is reminiscent of the biblical story of the blind man who was healed by Jesus. These references add depth and complexity to the poem, and they suggest that the themes of the poem are universal and timeless.

In conclusion, "The Three Beggars" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. It is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and it is a testament to Yeats' unique style and vision. The poem is full of symbolism, imagery, and religious and mythological references, and it is a perfect example of Yeats' ability to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is a reminder that we are all beggars in one way or another, and that we should be compassionate towards others and strive to find meaning in our lives despite the limitations of our existence.

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