'The Mystic Trumpeter' by Walt Whitman
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HARK! some wild trumpeter--some strange musician,
Hovering unseen in air, vibrates capricious tunes to-night.
I hear thee, trumpeter--listening, alert, I catch thy notes,
Now pouring, whirling like a tempest round me,
Now low, subdued--now in the distance lost.
Come nearer, bodiless one--haply, in thee resounds
Some dead composer--haply thy pensive life
Was fill'd with aspirations high--unform'd ideals,
Waves, oceans musical, chaotically surging,
That now, ecstatic ghost, close to me bending, thy cornet echoing,
pealing,10
Gives out to no one's ears but mine--but freely gives to mine,
That I may thee translate.
Blow, trumpeter, free and clear--I follow thee,
While at thy liquid prelude, glad, serene,
The fretting world, the streets, the noisy hours of day, withdraw;
A holy calm descends, like dew, upon me,
I walk, in cool refreshing night, the walks of Paradise,
I scent the grass, the moist air, and the roses;
Thy song expands my numb'd, imbonded spirit--thou freest, launchest
me,
Floating and basking upon Heaven's lake.20
Blow again, trumpeter! and for my sensuous eyes,
Bring the old pageants--show the feudal world.
What charm thy music works!--thou makest pass before me,
Ladies and cavaliers long dead--barons are in their castle halls--the
troubadours are singing;
Arm'd knights go forth to redress wrongs--some in quest of the Holy
Grail:
I see the tournament--I see the contestants, encased in heavy armor,
seated on stately, champing horses;
I hear the shouts--the sounds of blows and smiting steel:
I see the Crusaders' tumultuous armies--Hark! how the cymbals clang!
Lo! where the monks walk in advance, bearing the cross on high!
Blow again, trumpeter! and for thy theme,30
Take now the enclosing theme of all--the solvent and the setting;
Love, that is pulse of all--the sustenace and the pang;
The heart of man and woman all for love;
No other theme but love--knitting, enclosing, all-diffusing love.
O, how the immortal phantoms crowd around me!
I see the vast alembic ever working--I see and know the flames that
heat the world;
The glow, the blush, the beating hearts of lovers,
So blissful happy some--and some so silent, dark, and nigh to death:
Love, that is all the earth to lovers--Love, that mocks time and
space;
Love, that is day and night--Love, that is sun and moon and stars; 40
Love, that is crimson, sumptuous, sick with perfume;
No other words, but words of love--no other thought but Love.
Blow again, trumpeter--conjure war's Wild alarums.
Swift to thy spell, a shuddering hum like distant thunder rolls;
Lo! where the arm'd men hasten--Lo! mid the clouds of dust, the glint
of bayonets;
I see the grime-faced cannoniers--I mark the rosy flash amid the
smoke--I hear the cracking of the guns:
--Nor war alone--thy fearful music-song, wild player, brings every
sight of fear,
The deeds of ruthless brigands--rapine, murder--I hear the cries for
help!
I see ships foundering at sea--I behold on deck, and below deck, the
terrible tableaux.
O trumpeter! methinks I am myself the instrument thou playest!50
Thou melt'st my heart, my brain--thou movest, drawest, changest them,
at will:
And now thy sullen notes send darkness through me;
Thou takest away all cheering light--all hope:
I see the enslaved, the overthrown, the hurt, the opprest of the
whole earth;
I feel the measureless shame and humiliation of my race--it becomes
all mine;
Mine too the revenges of humanity--the wrongs of ages--baffled feuds
and hatreds;
Utter defeat upon me weighs--all lost! the foe victorious!
(Yet 'mid the ruins Pride colossal stands, unshaken to the last;
Endurance, resolution, to the last.)
Now, trumpeter, for thy close,60
Vouchsafe a higher strain than any yet;
Sing to my soul--renew its languishing faith and hope;
Rouse up my slow belief--give me some vision of the future;
Give me, for once, its prophecy and joy.
O glad, exulting, culminating song!
A vigor more than earth's is in thy notes!
Marches of victory--man disenthrall'd--the conqueror at last!
Hymns to the universal God, from universal Man--all joy!
A reborn race appears--a perfect World, all joy!
Women and Men, in wisdom, innocence and health--all joy!70
Riotous, laughing bacchanals, fill'd with joy!
War, sorrow, suffering gone--The rank earth purged--nothing but joy
left!
The ocean fill'd with joy--the atmosphere all joy!
Joy! Joy! in freedom, worship, love! Joy in the ecstacy of life!
Enough to merely be! Enough to breathe!
Joy! Joy! all over Joy!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mystic Trumpeter: A Poetic Masterpiece
When it comes to poetry, Walt Whitman is a name that stands out among the greats. His works have inspired countless readers and writers, and his impact on American literature is immeasurable. One of his most poignant and stirring works is "The Mystic Trumpeter," a poem that is both ethereal and earthly, spiritual and sensual. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its themes, symbols, and imagery.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. "The Mystic Trumpeter" was published in Whitman's final edition of Leaves of Grass in 1891, just two years before his death. This was a time when Whitman was reflecting on his life and legacy, and his poetry had taken on a more spiritual and introspective tone. "The Mystic Trumpeter" is a perfect example of this shift in his work.
The poem was also written during a time of great change in America. The country was in the midst of industrialization and urbanization, and there was a sense of anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Whitman, who had always been a champion of democracy and individualism, was grappling with the idea that the rapid changes in society could be eroding those values. "The Mystic Trumpeter" can be seen as a response to these concerns.
Themes
At its core, "The Mystic Trumpeter" is a poem about transformation and transcendence. It is about the power of music and art to elevate the soul and unite humanity. The poem also touches on themes of mortality, nature, and the divine.
One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of transformation. The narrator begins by describing a scene in which he hears the sound of a trumpet. The music transports him to another realm, where he is surrounded by a chorus of voices. He is then lifted up into the air and carried away by the wind. This journey represents a transformation of the self, a leaving behind of the physical world and an entrance into a spiritual realm.
Another theme of the poem is the power of music and art. The narrator is moved by the sound of the trumpet, which he describes as "the voice of the bard." He is transported by the music, and it fills him with a sense of joy and unity. This theme is closely related to Whitman's belief in the power of poetry to bring people together and create a sense of community.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The narrator is aware of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He sees the beauty and wonder of the world around him, but he knows that it is all temporary. This is reflected in lines such as "All fades, and sweetest things fade first."
Finally, the poem explores the theme of the divine. The narrator is transported to a spiritual realm, where he is surrounded by a chorus of voices. He sees the face of God and is filled with a sense of awe and wonder. This theme is closely related to Whitman's belief in a universal spirit that unites all of humanity.
Symbols and Imagery
Whitman's poetry is known for its rich symbolism and vivid imagery, and "The Mystic Trumpeter" is no exception. Let's take a closer look at some of the symbols and imagery in the poem.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the trumpet itself. The trumpet represents the power of art and music to elevate the soul and transport the listener to another realm. It is also a symbol of the voice of the poet, which has the power to inspire and unite.
The wind is another important symbol in the poem. The narrator is carried away by the wind, which represents the forces of nature and the power of the universe. It is a reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of change.
The chorus of voices that the narrator hears represents the unity of humanity. Whitman believed that all people are connected by a universal spirit, and this is reflected in the image of the chorus. The voices are all singing in harmony, symbolizing the idea that all people can come together in a shared experience of beauty and transcendence.
The imagery in the poem is also striking. Whitman uses words such as "dazzling," "splendid," and "brilliant" to describe the scene. These words create a sense of wonder and awe, and they reflect the idea that the world is filled with beauty and magic.
Interpretation
"The Mystic Trumpeter" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core, it is a celebration of the power of art and music to elevate the soul and unite humanity. The poem can be seen as a response to the anxieties and uncertainties of the time in which it was written, a reminder that there is still beauty and wonder in the world even in the face of change and impermanence.
The poem also reflects Whitman's belief in a universal spirit that unites all of humanity. The chorus of voices represents the idea that all people can come together in a shared experience of beauty and transcendence, regardless of their differences.
Finally, "The Mystic Trumpeter" is a reminder of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift. Whitman's poetry has inspired generations of readers and writers, and this poem is no exception. It is a testament to the enduring power of art and the human spirit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Mystic Trumpeter" is a poetic masterpiece that explores themes of transformation, transcendence, and the power of music and art. The poem is filled with rich symbolism and vivid imagery, and it reflects Whitman's belief in a universal spirit that unites all of humanity. It is a reminder of the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift, and it is a testament to the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mystic Trumpeter: A Poetic Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the American poet, essayist, and journalist, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative poets of the 19th century. His poetry is known for its free verse style, unconventional themes, and celebration of individualism and democracy. One of his most celebrated works is "The Mystic Trumpeter," a poem that explores the themes of spirituality, transcendence, and the power of music. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of transcendence. The first section begins with the speaker hearing the sound of a trumpet, which he describes as "a mystical call." The sound of the trumpet is described as being "like a bugle-note / Of the spirit's romance rare," suggesting that it is a call to something beyond the physical world. The speaker is drawn to the sound of the trumpet, and he follows it to a hilltop, where he sees a vision of a "great city" that is "full of joy."
The second section of the poem explores the speaker's experience of this vision. He describes the city as being "full of the spirit of music," and he hears the sound of "many instruments" playing together in harmony. The music is described as being "like a chorus of angels," and it fills the speaker with a sense of awe and wonder. He feels as though he is "lifted up" by the music, and he experiences a sense of transcendence as he becomes one with the music and the city.
The third section of the poem explores the speaker's return to the physical world. He describes how he is "borne back" to the world of the living, and he feels a sense of sadness and loss as he leaves the city behind. However, he also feels a sense of gratitude for having experienced the vision, and he realizes that he has been "touched by the hand of God." The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the power of music to transport us to a higher realm of existence, and he encourages us to "listen to the mystic trumpet / Which sounds for evermore."
The structure of the poem is free verse, which is typical of Whitman's style. The lack of a regular rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which reflects the theme of transcendence. The poem is also characterized by its use of repetition, which emphasizes the importance of certain words and phrases. For example, the phrase "mystic trumpet" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the sound of the trumpet as a symbol of transcendence.
The poem also makes use of a number of literary devices, including imagery, symbolism, and allusion. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of the mystical and otherworldly. For example, the vision of the city is described in detail, with its "towers and domes" and "streets of shining gold." The symbolism in the poem is also rich and complex, with the trumpet representing the call to transcendence and the city representing the realm of the divine. Finally, the poem makes use of allusion, with references to biblical and mythological figures such as angels and Orpheus, adding to the sense of the mystical and transcendent.
In conclusion, "The Mystic Trumpeter" is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of spirituality, transcendence, and the power of music. The poem is characterized by its free verse structure, use of repetition, and rich imagery and symbolism. Through the speaker's experience of the sound of the trumpet and the vision of the city, Whitman invites us to consider the possibility of a higher realm of existence, one that is accessible through the power of music and the spirit. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to transport us to a higher plane of consciousness, and it remains a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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