'Cino' by Ezra Pound
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Italian Campagna 1309, the open road
Bah! I have sung women in three cities,
But it is all the same;
And I will sing of the sun.
Lips, words, and you snare them,
Dreams, words, and they are as jewels,
Strange spells of old deity,
Ravens, nights, allurement:
And they are not;
Having become the souls of song.
Eyes, dreams, lips, and the night goes.
Being upon the road once more,
They are not.
Forgetful in their towers of our tuneing
Once for wind-runeing
They dream us-toward and
Sighing, say, "Would Cino,
Passionate Cino, of the wrinkling eyes,
Gay Cino, of quick laughter,
Cino, of the dare, the jibe.
Frail Cino, strongest of his tribe
That tramp old ways beneath the sun-light,
Would Cino of the Luth were here!"
Once, twice a year---
Vaguely thus word they:
"Cino?" "Oh, eh, Cino Polnesi
The singer is't you mean?"
"Ah yes, passed once our way,
A saucy fellow, but . . .
(Oh they are all one these vagabonds),
Peste! 'tis his own songs?
Or some other's that he sings?
But *you*, My Lord, how with your city?"
My you "My Lord," God's pity!
And all I knew were out, My Lord, you
Were Lack-land Cino, e'en as I am,
O Sinistro.
I have sung women in three cities.
But it is all one.
I will sing of the sun.
. . . eh? . . . they mostly had grey eyes,
But it is all one, I will sing of the sun.
"'Pollo Phoibee, old tin pan, you
Glory to Zeus' aegis-day,
Shield o' steel-blue, th' heaven o'er us
Hath for boss thy lustre gay!
'Pollo Phoibee, to our way-fare
Make thy laugh our wander-lied;
Bid thy 'flugence bear away care.
Cloud and rain-tears pass they fleet!
Seeking e'er the new-laid rast-way
To the gardens of the sun . . .
I have sung women in theree cities
But it is all one.
I will sing of the white birds
In the blue waters of heaven,
The clouds that are spray to its sea."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ezra Pound's "Cino": A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
If there's one poem that perfectly captures the essence of Ezra Pound's poetic vision, it's "Cino." Written in 1909, "Cino" is a marvel of modernist poetry, combining stunning imagery, musical language, and complex themes to create a work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the many layers of meaning in "Cino," examining Pound's use of symbolism, myth, and allusion to create a poem that is both beautiful and intellectually challenging.
The Structure and Form of "Cino"
Before we dive into the content of the poem, it's important to examine its structure and form. "Cino" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and metrical pattern. Specifically, "Cino" is a variation on the Italian sonnet form, which features an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of "Cino" is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, which means that the first and fourth lines of each quatrain (four-line stanza) rhyme, as do the second and third lines. The final couplet (two-line stanza) rhymes with itself, creating a sense of closure and resolution.
Despite its adherence to a traditional form, "Cino" is anything but conventional in its content and style. Pound uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of musicality and rhythm, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition. For example, the opening line of the poem contains three instances of the "s" sound: "silver," "shore," and "sea." This creates a sense of softness and fluidity, mimicking the movement of water. Pound's use of repetition is also notable in "Cino," particularly in lines 7-8:
I have desired and loved,
And been loved and desired,
Here, Pound repeats the same words in reverse order, creating a sense of symmetry and balance. The effect is subtle but powerful, creating a sense of harmony that mirrors the speaker's emotional state.
The Themes of "Cino"
At its core, "Cino" is a poem about love and desire, but it is also much more than that. Pound uses the imagery of the sea and the shore to explore the themes of transience, mortality, and the fleeting nature of beauty. The speaker of the poem is a lover who is reflecting on the nature of his desires and his place in the world. He speaks directly to his beloved, addressing her as "thou" throughout the poem. This creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if he is speaking to her alone.
One of the most striking aspects of "Cino" is the way Pound uses symbolism to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, the sea is a recurring motif throughout the poem, representing the vastness and eternity of nature. The shore, on the other hand, represents the transience and impermanence of human life. The speaker acknowledges that his desires will eventually fade, just as the waves will eventually erode the shore:
And I shall lie alone
Folded in the earth like that stiffened wave.
This image is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the bittersweet nature of human experience. Pound uses other symbols as well, such as the silver of the moon and the gold of the sun, to represent the dichotomy of life and death.
The Allusions in "Cino"
In addition to its use of symbolism, "Cino" is also notable for its many allusions to classical literature and mythology. Pound was a voracious reader and a scholar of classical literature, and he incorporated these influences into his own poetry. For example, the second line of "Cino" refers to the mythological figure of Proteus, a shape-shifting sea god who was known for his wisdom and power. This reference adds depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker is grappling with profound existential questions about the nature of existence.
Another allusion in "Cino" is to the Italian poet Guido Cavalcanti, who was a contemporary of Dante and a friend of Pound's. Cavalcanti is considered one of the founders of the dolce stil novo ("sweet new style") movement in Italian poetry, which emphasized the use of metaphor and allegory to convey complex emotions. Pound's reference to Cavalcanti in "Cino" suggests that he was inspired by this tradition and was seeking to create a similar effect in his own poetry.
The Political and Social Context of "Cino"
Finally, it's worth considering the political and social context in which "Cino" was written. Pound was living in London at the time, and he was part of a vibrant artistic and literary community that included other modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot and James Joyce. Pound was also deeply engaged with politics and social issues, and he used his poetry as a means of expressing his views.
"Cino" can be read as a critique of the materialism and superficiality of modern society. The speaker of the poem is seeking a deeper, more authentic kind of love, one that is not based on wealth or social status. Pound's use of classical allusions and traditional forms can be seen as a rejection of the modernist emphasis on novelty and experimentation. In this sense, "Cino" can be seen as a statement of artistic and cultural values that were at odds with the dominant trends of the time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Cino" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that rewards careful reading and analysis. Pound's use of symbolism, allusion, and poetic form creates a work that is both beautiful and intellectually challenging. The themes of transience, mortality, and the fleeting nature of beauty are conveyed through the imagery of the sea and the shore, while the use of classical allusions and traditional forms adds depth and complexity to the poem. Finally, "Cino" can be read as a critique of modern society and an affirmation of artistic and cultural values that were at odds with the dominant trends of the time. Overall, "Cino" is a remarkable achievement in the history of poetry, and it continues to inspire and challenge readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's Poetry Cino is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Pound's unique style, which is characterized by its use of imagery, allusions, and unconventional syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements that make Poetry Cino a classic work of literature.
Firstly, it is important to understand the context in which Poetry Cino was written. Pound was a leading figure in the modernist movement, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the traditional forms of literature that had dominated the previous centuries. Modernist writers sought to break free from the constraints of traditional forms and explore new ways of expressing themselves through their writing.
Poetry Cino is a perfect example of this desire to break free from tradition. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Pound to experiment with the form of the poem and create a unique rhythm that is entirely his own.
One of the most striking features of Poetry Cino is its use of imagery. Pound uses vivid and often surreal images to create a sense of the world that is both familiar and strange. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, he writes:
"In the greenest of our valleys By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace— Radiant palace—reared its head."
These lines create a vivid picture of a beautiful palace in a lush valley. However, the use of the word "tenanted" and the reference to "good angels" suggest that this is not a real place, but rather a metaphorical one. This use of imagery is typical of Pound's style, which often blurs the line between reality and imagination.
Another important element of Poetry Cino is its use of allusions. Pound was a scholar of literature and history, and he often incorporated references to other works of literature and historical events into his writing. In Poetry Cino, he references the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who wrote the epic poem The Divine Comedy. Pound writes:
"Dante, that knew the souls of men, Hath told us of the little hell, And in the darkness, withouten hope, Our peace is in the sleep of death."
This reference to Dante's work adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it suggests that Pound is drawing on a rich literary tradition to create his own work. It also adds a sense of universality to the poem, as Dante's work is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature in history.
Finally, it is worth noting the unconventional syntax of Poetry Cino. Pound often uses sentence fragments and unconventional word order to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, he writes:
"O! Death will find me, long before I tire Of watching you; and swing me suddenly Into the shade and loneliness and mire Of the last land!"
This use of unconventional syntax creates a sense of urgency and immediacy in the poem, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader. It also adds to the overall sense of strangeness and surrealism that characterizes the poem.
In conclusion, Ezra Pound's Poetry Cino is a classic work of modernist poetry that continues to captivate readers today. Its use of imagery, allusions, and unconventional syntax create a unique and powerful work of literature that is both challenging and rewarding to read. Whether you are a fan of modernist poetry or simply appreciate great literature, Poetry Cino is a must-read.
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