'Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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MINE eyes were swift to know thee, and my heart
As swift to love.I did become at once
Thine wholly, thine unalterably, thine
In honourable service, pure intent,
Steadfast excess of love and laughing care:
And as she was, so am, and so shall be.
I knew thee helpful, knew thee true, knew thee
And Pity bedfellows: I heard thy talk
With answerable throbbings.On the stream,
Deep, swift, and clear, the lilies floated; fish
Through the shadows ran.There, thou and I
Read Kindness in our eyes and closed the match.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee by Robert Louis Stevenson
What a masterpiece of literature! Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, "Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee" is a profound piece that speaks to the very essence of human nature. It is a poem written in a style that is simple but powerful, and the message it delivers is one that is universal and timeless.
Background
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer and poet who lived from 1850 to 1894. He was a prolific author, and his works have been translated into many languages. Stevenson is well known for his adventure novels, such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped, but he was also a talented poet.
"Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee" was written in the late 1800s, during a period when Stevenson was suffering from poor health. The poem is believed to have been inspired by his own spiritual journey, and it reflects his struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to know the divine:
Mine eyes were swift to know thee, and my heart With divine hunger fed;
The words "divine hunger" suggest a longing for something more than what the speaker has experienced so far. He is seeking a deeper understanding of the world and his place in it.
The speaker goes on to describe how he has searched for the divine in various ways:
I have seen thee in the watch-light of my thought, And in my dreams thy form hath visited;
The use of the word "watch-light" implies a sense of vigilance or attention, as if the speaker has been searching for the divine with great determination. The reference to dreams suggests that he has been exploring his subconscious in order to find answers.
Despite his efforts, however, the speaker has not yet found what he is looking for:
And still, O still, mine eyes are never cloyed, Feasting upon thy beauty, ever new;
The use of the word "cloyed" suggests that the speaker has consumed much but has not yet been satisfied. He is still hungry for more, still searching for the divine.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful:
Yet not in these I found thee! Thou art more Than all the thought of men, more than their dreams; Thou art the end and Thou the journeying, Thou the reward and Thou the way it seems.
Here, the speaker acknowledges that the divine cannot be found in the external world or even in the depths of his own mind. The divine is something that transcends human understanding and is beyond words or concepts.
The final line of the poem is particularly intriguing: "Thou the reward and Thou the way it seems." This suggests that the very act of seeking the divine is, in itself, a reward. The journey is as important as the destination.
Literary Criticism
"Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee" is a beautifully written poem that is both simple and complex. The language is clear and direct, but the message is profound and multi-layered.
One of the key themes of the poem is the search for meaning and purpose in life. This is a universal theme that has been explored in literature for centuries. Stevenson's poem speaks to this theme in a way that is both personal and universal. The speaker's struggle to find the divine is something that many people can relate to, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that the divine cannot be found through external means. The speaker has searched for the divine in his thoughts, his dreams, and the world around him, but he has not found it. This suggests that the divine is something that cannot be grasped or understood through the senses or the intellect. It is something that must be experienced directly.
Stevenson's use of language in the poem is particularly noteworthy. The repetition of the phrase "mine eyes were swift to know thee" creates a sense of urgency and determination. The use of the word "divine" adds a sense of reverence and awe. The final stanza, with its use of parallel structure and repetition, creates a sense of symmetry and balance.
Conclusion
In "Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee," Robert Louis Stevenson has created a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal human experience. Through his use of language and imagery, he explores the themes of the search for meaning and purpose, and the nature of the divine. The poem is a testament to Stevenson's skill as a writer and his ability to capture the complexity of human experience in a few simple lines of verse.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a beautiful art form that has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This poem is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for a beloved, and it is a perfect example of Stevenson's mastery of language and imagery.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his love for his beloved, saying that his eyes were swift to know her. The use of the word "swift" here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved was immediate and intense. The use of the word "know" is also interesting, as it suggests that the speaker has a deep understanding of his beloved, and that he has taken the time to truly get to know her.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly beautiful, as it describes the speaker's beloved in vivid detail. The speaker describes her as having "the grace of morning mirth" and "the light of laughter on her face." These descriptions are not only beautiful, but they also give us a sense of the speaker's admiration for his beloved. He sees her as someone who brings joy and light into his life, and he is grateful for her presence.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the speaker's longing for his beloved. He says that he longs to be with her, and that he would give anything to be by her side. The use of the word "longing" here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just a passing fancy, but rather a deep and abiding emotion that he feels with every fiber of his being.
The fourth stanza of the poem is also quite beautiful, as it describes the speaker's beloved as someone who is full of life and energy. The speaker says that his beloved is like a "wild bird singing in the trees," and that she brings joy and happiness wherever she goes. This description is not only beautiful, but it also gives us a sense of the speaker's admiration for his beloved. He sees her as someone who is full of life and vitality, and he is grateful for her presence in his life.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it describes the speaker's fear that his beloved will one day leave him. He says that he fears that she will "fly away like a bird," and that he will be left alone and bereft. This fear is understandable, as the speaker's love for his beloved is so intense that the thought of losing her is almost unbearable.
In conclusion, "Mine Eyes Were Swift To Know Thee" is a beautiful poem that expresses the depth of the speaker's love and admiration for his beloved. The poem is full of beautiful imagery and language, and it is a perfect example of Stevenson's mastery of the art of poetry. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful language and imagery, this poem is sure to touch your heart and leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
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