'On A Bank Of Flowers' by Robert Burns


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On a bank of flowers in a summer day
For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wand'ring thro the wood
Who for her favour oft had suedÑ
He gaz'd, he wish'd He fear'd, he blush'd
And trembled where he stood.

Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheath'd,
Were sealed in soft repose;
Her lips, still as she fragrant breath'd,
It richer dyed the rose.
The springing lilies, sweetly Crest,
Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast:
He gaz'd, he wish'd, He fear'd he blush'd
His bosom ill at rest.

Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,
Her tender limbs embrace;
Her lovely form, her native ease,
All harmony and grace.
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole;
He gaz'd, he wish'd, He fear'd, he blush'd,
And sigh'd his very soul.

As flies the partridge from the brake
On fear-inspired wings
So Nelly starting, half-awake
Away affrighted springs.
But Willie, follow'd---as he should
He overtook her in the wood;
He vow'd, he pray'd, He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"On A Bank Of Flowers" by Robert Burns: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

As I sit down to write about Robert Burns' "On A Bank Of Flowers," my heart leaps with joy and my mind races with anticipation. How can I do justice to this masterpiece of Romantic poetry? How can I capture the essence of Burns' lyrical genius and the depth of his emotional appeal? Well, let me try my best, and let me share with you my thoughts and insights into this immortal work of art.

The Poem

But first, let me give you a brief overview of the poem. "On A Bank Of Flowers" is a short lyric that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of love. It consists of four stanzas of four lines each, with a simple and elegant rhyme scheme (ABCB). Here is the text of the poem:

On a bank of flowers in a summer day,
For hours and hours I lay;
And my heart, it wandered far away,
In realms of faerie.

The world was all forgotten then,
The pulse of life was still;
And the future, it was all unknown,
And the past a dreamy hill.

I saw the flowers, and heard the birds,
And felt the soft warm air;
And all my soul was full of love,
And all my heart was prayer.

Oh, happy hours, oh, blessed day,
Oh, moments of delight;
Oh, rapturous dreams, oh, sweet repose,
Oh, visions fair and bright.

As you can see, the poem is a simple and yet profound expression of the poet's innermost feelings and impressions. It is a lyrical meditation on the beauty and transience of life, on the power and mystery of nature, and on the joys and sorrows of human love. Let us explore each of these themes in more depth.

The Beauty of Nature

The first and most obvious theme of the poem is the beauty of nature. Burns paints a vivid picture of a idyllic scene, where he lies on a bank of flowers on a summer day, lost in contemplation and wonder. The image of the flowers is especially striking, as they seem to symbolize both the fragility and the resilience of life. On the one hand, they are delicate and ephemeral, like the fleeting moments of joy and happiness that we cherish and then lose. On the other hand, they are also vibrant and vibrant, like the enduring memories and hopes that sustain us through the trials and tribulations of existence.

The key to Burns' appreciation of nature is his ability to see beyond the surface of things and to glimpse the deeper rhythms and patterns that underlie them. He does not merely see the flowers, he feels them; he does not merely hear the birds, he listens to them; he does not merely sense the warm air, he breathes it in. His soul is attuned to the music of the universe, and he is able to harmonize his own voice with it. This is the essence of Romanticism, the movement in literature and art that sought to reconnect human beings with nature and with their own inner selves.

The Joys of Love

The second theme of the poem is the joys of love. Burns' meditative mood is gradually transformed into a more passionate and ecstatic one as he contemplates the beauty of nature. He begins to feel a deep and intense love for everything around him, from the flowers to the birds to the air itself. This love is not merely an abstract concept, but a concrete and sensual experience. Burns' words are filled with sensuous imagery and rich metaphors, such as "realms of faerie," "dreamy hill," and "visions fair and bright." These images evoke a sense of enchantment and enchantment, a world where everything is alive and full of wonder.

But this love is not limited to nature alone, for Burns soon turns his attention to human love as well. He speaks of his heart wandering far away, in search of a beloved who is not present but who is nevertheless felt deeply. He speaks of his soul being full of love, and his heart of prayer. These are not mere sentimental cliches, but genuine expressions of the power and mystery of love. Burns is not afraid to admit that he is vulnerable and needy, that he longs for companionship and intimacy. He is not ashamed to show his emotions and to let them guide him. This is the essence of Romantic love, the ideal of a passionate and sincere connection between two human beings.

The Transience of Life

The third and final theme of the poem is the transience of life. Burns' idyllic scene is not just a celebration of beauty and love, but also a recognition of their fleeting nature. He knows that the world is all forgotten, that the pulse of life is still, and that the future is unknown. He knows that the past is a dreamy hill, a distant memory that can never be recaptured. He knows that all joys and pleasures are temporary, and that all human relationships are subject to change and decay. But instead of despairing at this realization, Burns embraces it as a challenge and an opportunity. He sees the impermanence of life as a reminder to live fully and passionately in the here and now, to savor every moment and to cherish every relationship. He sees it as a call to action, to make the most of what we have and to strive for what we want. He sees it as a source of inspiration, to create beauty and love in the world and to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "On A Bank Of Flowers" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that celebrates the beauty of nature, the joys of love, and the transience of life. It is a lyrical meditation that invites us to see beyond the surface of things and to glimpse the deeper rhythms and patterns that underlie them. It is a passionate and sincere expression of the power and mystery of love, and a reminder to live fully and passionately in the here and now. It is a work of art that speaks directly to the heart and soul, and that continues to inspire and enchant readers of all ages and backgrounds. Robert Burns may have lived over two centuries ago, but his words and his spirit still resonate with us today, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On A Bank Of Flowers: A Masterpiece by Robert Burns

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, is known for his lyrical and romantic poetry that captures the essence of nature and love. One of his most famous works, Poetry On A Bank Of Flowers, is a beautiful ode to the beauty of nature and the power of love. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Burns' poetic prowess and his ability to evoke emotions through his words.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of a bank of flowers, where he is sitting and contemplating the beauty of nature. The speaker is in awe of the flowers and their vibrant colors, which he compares to the beauty of his lover's eyes. He describes the flowers as being "fair and gay," and their colors as being "bright as the day." The speaker's admiration for the flowers is evident in his words, and he seems to be lost in their beauty.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's thoughts turn to his lover, and he compares her beauty to that of the flowers. He describes her eyes as being "like the dew on the mountain," and her hair as being "like the curling mist." The speaker's love for his lover is evident in his words, and he seems to be overwhelmed by her beauty.

The poem then takes a melancholic turn, as the speaker realizes that his lover is not with him. He laments the fact that he is alone, and that his lover is not there to share the beauty of the flowers with him. He describes his loneliness as being "like the lonely bird," and his heart as being "like the withered flower." The speaker's sadness is palpable in his words, and he seems to be longing for his lover's presence.

However, the poem ends on a hopeful note, as the speaker realizes that his lover's love is with him, even though she is not physically present. He describes her love as being "like the sweet-scented flower," and her thoughts as being "like the gentle breeze." The speaker's realization that his lover's love is with him brings him comfort, and he seems to be at peace with his loneliness.

Poetry On A Bank Of Flowers is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature and love. Burns' use of vivid imagery and metaphors evokes a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, and his ability to convey emotions through his words is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to Burns' poetic prowess, and it is no wonder that it has stood the test of time.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Burns' use of imagery. He describes the flowers as being "fair and gay," and their colors as being "bright as the day." These descriptions evoke a sense of joy and happiness in the reader, and they create a vivid picture of the flowers in the reader's mind. Burns' use of imagery is not limited to the flowers, however. He also describes his lover's eyes as being "like the dew on the mountain," and her hair as being "like the curling mist." These descriptions create a sense of ethereal beauty, and they add to the romantic and dreamy tone of the poem.

Another aspect of the poem that stands out is Burns' use of metaphors. He compares the beauty of the flowers to that of his lover's eyes, and he describes his lover's love as being "like the sweet-scented flower." These metaphors add depth and richness to the poem, and they help to convey the speaker's emotions in a powerful way. The metaphors also create a sense of unity between the speaker and nature, as he sees his lover's beauty reflected in the beauty of the flowers.

The poem's structure is also worth noting. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, and it helps to create a musical quality to the words. The structure also adds to the poem's romantic and dreamy tone, as it creates a sense of flow and continuity.

In conclusion, Poetry On A Bank Of Flowers is a masterpiece by Robert Burns that captures the essence of nature and love. Burns' use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and structure creates a powerful and emotional poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a testament to Burns' poetic prowess, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and nature.

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