'Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge


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Sermoni propriora.--HORACE

Low was our pretty Cot : our tallest Rose
Peep'd at the chamber-window. We could hear
At silent noon, and eve, and early morn,
The Sea's faint murmur. In the open air
Our Myrtles blossom'd; and across the porch
Thick Jasmins twined : the little landscape round
Was green and woody, and refresh'd the eye.
It was a spot which you might aptly call
The Valley of Seclusion ! Once I saw
(Hallowing his Sabbath-day by quiteness)
A wealthy son of Commerce saunter by,
Bristowa's citizen : methought, it calm'd
His thirst of idle gold, and made him muse
With wiser feelings : for he paus'd, and look'd
With a pleas'd sadness, and gaz'd all around,
Then eyed our Cottage, and gaz'd round again,
And sigh'd, and said, it was a Blesséd Place.
And we were bless'd. Oft with patient ear
Long-listening to the viewless sky-lark's note
(Viewless, or haply for a moment seen
Gleaming on sunny wings) in whisper'd tones
I said to my Belovéd, `Such, sweet Girl !
The inobtrusive song of Happiness,
Unearthly minstrelsy ! then only heard
When the Soul seeks to hear ; when all is hush'd,
And the Heart listens !'

[Image][Image][Image]But the time, when first
From that low Dell, steep up the stony Mount
I climb'd with perilous toil and reach'd the top,
Oh ! what a goodly scene ! Here the bleak mount,
The bare bleak mountain speckled thin with sheep ;
Grey clouds, that shadowing spot the sunny fields ;
And river, now with bushy rocks o'er-brow'd,
Now winding bright and full, with naked banks ;
And seats, and lawns, the Abbey and the wood,
And cots, and hamlets, and faint city-spire ;
The Channel there, the Islands and white sails,
Dim coasts, and cloud-like hills, and shoreless Ocean--
It seem'd like Omnipresence ! God, methought,
Had build him there a Temple : the whole World
Seem'd imag'd in its vast circumference :
No wish profan'd my overwhelméd heart.
Blest hour ! It was a luxury,--to be !

Ah ! quiet Dell ! dear Cot, and Mount sublime !
I was constrain'd to quit you. Was it right,
While my unnumber'd brethren toil'd and bled,
That I should dream away the entrusted hours
On rose-leaf beds, pampering the coward heart
With feelings all too delicate for use ?
Sweet is the tear that from some Howard's eye
Drops on the cheek of one he lifts from earth :
And he that works me good with unmov'd face,
Does it but half : he chills me while he aids,
My benefactor, not my brother man !
Yet even this, this cold beneficience
Praise, praise it, O my Soul ! oft as thou scann'st
The sluggard Pity's vision-weaving tribe !
Who sigh for Wretchedness, yet shun the Wretched,
Nursing in some delicious solitude
Their slothful loves and dainty sympathies !
I therefore go, and join head, heart, and hand,
Active and firm, to fight the bloodless fight
Of Science, Freedom, and the Truth in Christ.

Yet oft when after honourable toil
Rests the tir'd mind, and waking loves to dream,
My spirit shall revisit thee, dear Cot !
Thy Jasmin and thy window-peeping Rose,
And Myrtles fearless of the mild sea-air.
And I shall sigh fond wishes--sweet Abode !
Ah !--had none greater ! And that all had such !
It might be so--but the time is not yet.
Speed it, O Father ! Let thy Kingdom come !

Editor 1 Interpretation

Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement" is a beautiful and moving piece of literature that explores the themes of homesickness, nostalgia, and the longing for a sense of belonging. The poem is written in the form of a personal reflection, in which the speaker contemplates his feelings upon leaving a peaceful and secluded place of retirement.

Overview of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker describing his feelings upon leaving the place of his retirement. He speaks of the sadness and sense of loss that he feels, as well as the memories that he carries with him from his time there. He then goes on to describe the natural beauty of the place, with its "deep winding vale" and "torrent-haunted dell", and the peace and tranquility that it brought him.

The speaker then turns to the theme of nostalgia, reflecting on his memories of the place and the people he met there. He speaks of the "friendly hearts" that he left behind, as well as the memories of past joys and sorrows that he carries with him. He also reflects on the transience of life, and the fact that everything eventually passes away.

The final section of the poem sees the speaker reflecting on his current state of mind. He speaks of his longing for a sense of belonging and his search for a place where he can feel at home. He also reflects on the struggle to find meaning in life and the need for human connection.

Analysis of the Poem

At its core, "Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement" is a poem that explores the human need for a sense of belonging and the feelings of loss and homesickness that can arise when that sense of belonging is disrupted. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on his memories of a place that gave him a sense of peace and tranquility, and the sense of loss that he feels upon leaving it.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of natural imagery to convey the beauty and tranquility of the place that the speaker is reflecting on. The "deep winding vale" and "torrent-haunted dell" are described in vivid detail, and the sense of peace and tranquility that they bring is palpable. This use of natural imagery serves to reinforce the idea that a sense of belonging and connection to a place can be deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of nostalgia and the power of memory to shape our experiences of the world. The speaker reflects on his memories of the place and the people he met there, and the sense of loss that he feels upon leaving. He speaks of the "friendly hearts" that he left behind, and the memories of past joys and sorrows that he carries with him. This reflection on the past serves to reinforce the idea that our experiences of the present are shaped by our memories of the past.

The final section of the poem sees the speaker reflecting on his own state of mind and the struggle to find a sense of meaning and purpose in life. He speaks of his longing for a sense of belonging and his search for a place where he can feel at home. This reflection on the human need for connection and belonging is a powerful reminder of the importance of human relationships and the role that they play in shaping our experiences of the world.

Conclusion

In "Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement", Samuel Taylor Coleridge has created a powerful and moving reflection on the human need for connection and belonging. Through his use of natural imagery and vivid description, he conveys the beauty and tranquility of the place that the speaker is reflecting on, and the sense of loss that he feels upon leaving it. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human relationships and the role that they play in shaping our experiences of the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement: A Masterpiece by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement." This poem is a reflection of the poet's feelings after leaving his beloved home in the countryside and returning to the city. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions, and it is a perfect example of the Romantic era's poetry.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza describes the poet's feelings of sadness and loss after leaving his home in the countryside. The second stanza describes the beauty of the countryside and the poet's longing to return to it. The third stanza describes the poet's realization that he can never return to his home in the countryside, and he must accept his fate.

The first stanza begins with the line, "Low was our pretty Cot: our tallest Rose." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet is describing his home in the countryside, which he loved dearly. The use of the word "pretty" emphasizes the beauty of the home, and the use of the word "Cot" emphasizes its small size. The poet then describes the tallest rose in the garden, which symbolizes the beauty of the countryside.

The second line of the stanza reads, "Touched the tall stems, and kissed its fragrant lips." This line is a beautiful description of the poet's love for the countryside. The use of the word "touched" emphasizes the poet's physical connection to the countryside, and the use of the word "kissed" emphasizes his emotional connection to it. The line also uses personification, giving the rose fragrant lips, which adds to the beauty of the description.

The third line of the stanza reads, "Wreathed round its pillars." This line is a metaphor for the countryside's beauty. The use of the word "wreathed" emphasizes the countryside's natural beauty, and the use of the word "pillars" emphasizes its strength and stability.

The fourth line of the stanza reads, "The Mulberry-tree was hung with lavish fruit." This line is a description of the abundance of the countryside. The use of the word "lavish" emphasizes the abundance of the fruit, and the use of the word "hung" emphasizes the tree's beauty.

The fifth line of the stanza reads, "Its branches bent with the weight of the gold." This line is a metaphor for the countryside's wealth. The use of the word "gold" emphasizes the value of the fruit, and the use of the word "bent" emphasizes the weight of the abundance.

The final line of the stanza reads, "Oft had we stolen forth at break of day." This line is a description of the poet's love for the countryside. The use of the word "stolen" emphasizes the poet's desire to be in the countryside, and the use of the phrase "break of day" emphasizes the beauty of the countryside in the morning.

The second stanza begins with the line, "Ah! Lifeless thing, why dost thou lie." This line is a question directed at the city. The use of the word "lifeless" emphasizes the poet's dislike for the city, and the use of the word "lie" emphasizes the city's lack of truth.

The second line of the stanza reads, "Muttering in idle sounds, and dreaming eye." This line is a description of the city's noise and chaos. The use of the word "muttering" emphasizes the city's noise, and the use of the phrase "dreaming eye" emphasizes the city's lack of focus.

The third line of the stanza reads, "Proud city! o'er thy rival cities' throne." This line is a description of the city's arrogance. The use of the word "proud" emphasizes the city's arrogance, and the use of the phrase "rival cities' throne" emphasizes the city's desire for power.

The fourth line of the stanza reads, "Headlong from that throne thyself hast thrown." This line is a metaphor for the city's downfall. The use of the word "headlong" emphasizes the city's sudden fall, and the use of the phrase "thrown thyself" emphasizes the city's responsibility for its own downfall.

The fifth line of the stanza reads, "And dash'd proud Anarchy down, thy fatal stone." This line is a description of the city's destruction. The use of the phrase "proud Anarchy" emphasizes the chaos of the city, and the use of the phrase "fatal stone" emphasizes the city's destructive power.

The final line of the stanza reads, "From thine own lightnings is thy glory shown." This line is a description of the city's power. The use of the phrase "thine own lightnings" emphasizes the city's destructive power, and the use of the word "glory" emphasizes the city's desire for power.

The third stanza begins with the line, "Yet, O vain boast of human power." This line is a description of the poet's realization that human power is limited. The use of the phrase "vain boast" emphasizes the futility of human power, and the use of the word "human" emphasizes the limitations of human power.

The second line of the stanza reads, "Thou wert not made for ever to endure." This line is a description of the poet's realization that everything is temporary. The use of the phrase "not made for ever" emphasizes the temporary nature of everything, and the use of the word "endure" emphasizes the struggle to survive.

The third line of the stanza reads, "Ill fated race of men, to Earth and woe." This line is a description of the poet's realization that humans are destined to suffer. The use of the phrase "ill fated race" emphasizes the inevitability of suffering, and the use of the phrase "Earth and woe" emphasizes the connection between humans and suffering.

The fourth line of the stanza reads, "Surrender what thou art, and hast been, know." This line is a description of the poet's realization that humans must accept their fate. The use of the phrase "surrender what thou art" emphasizes the need to let go of the past, and the use of the phrase "know" emphasizes the need to accept the present.

The fifth line of the stanza reads, "To think that earth has seen, is seeing thee." This line is a description of the poet's realization that humans are part of a larger picture. The use of the phrase "earth has seen" emphasizes the connection between humans and the earth, and the use of the phrase "is seeing thee" emphasizes the present moment.

The final line of the stanza reads, "And what is it? --an echo of the tomb." This line is a description of the poet's realization that everything is temporary. The use of the phrase "echo of the tomb" emphasizes the inevitability of death, and the use of the word "what" emphasizes the futility of human existence.

In conclusion, "Poetry Reflections On Having Left A Place Of Retirement" is a masterpiece by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions, and it is a perfect example of the Romantic era's poetry. The poem is a reflection of the poet's feelings after leaving his beloved home in the countryside and returning to the city. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza describes the poet's feelings of sadness and loss after leaving his home in the countryside. The second stanza describes the beauty of the countryside and the poet's longing to return to it. The third stanza describes the poet's realization that he can never return to his home in the countryside, and he must accept his fate. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions, and it is a perfect example of the Romantic era's poetry.

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