'Sonnets 02: Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song' by Edna St. Vincent Millay


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Into the golden vessel of great song
Let us pour all our passion; breast to breast
Let other lovers lie, in love and rest;
Not we,-articulate, so, but with the tongue
Of all the world: the churning blood, the long
Shuddering quiet, the desperate hot palms pressed
Sharply together upon the escaping guest,
The common soul, unguarded, and grown strong.
Longing alone is singer to the lute;
Let still on nettles in the open sigh
The minstrel, that in slumber is as mute
As any man, and love be far and high,
That else forsakes the topmost branch, a fruit
Found on the ground by every passer-by.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnets 02: Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song

Edna St. Vincent Millay's Sonnets 02: Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power of music and its ability to transport us to another realm. In this sonnet, Millay beautifully describes the transformative power of music and how it can heal even the most broken of hearts.

Analysis of Sonnet 02

The poem consists of 14 lines, which are divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet. It follows the traditional form of the sonnet, with a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg. The meter is iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a natural flow and rhythm.

The First Quatrain

The first quatrain sets the stage for the rest of the poem, introducing the concept of music as a transformative force. Millay describes music as a golden vessel, capable of containing the most beautiful and powerful emotions. She writes:

Into the golden vessel of great song
Let us pour all our passion; breast to breast
Let other lovers lie, in love and rest;
Not we,—articulate, so, but with the tongue

The image of pouring passion into a golden vessel is both powerful and evocative. It suggests that music has the ability to contain and transform intense emotions, just as a vessel can contain and transform a liquid. The subsequent lines reinforce this idea, as Millay contrasts the lovers who lie in love and rest with the speakers who are articulate with their tongues, expressing their emotions through music.

The Second Quatrain

The second quatrain expands on the idea of music as a transformative force, suggesting that it can heal even the most broken hearts. Millay writes:

That, in one pang of aching melody,
We—peopling the void silence with our love,
Might touch each other lips, and tremble—
Linked by a song!

Here, Millay describes the power of music to connect people on a deep emotional level, even when words fail us. The idea of "peopling the void silence with our love" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that music can fill the emptiness that comes with heartbreak and loss. The image of "touch[ing] each other lips, and trembl[ing]" is also powerful, suggesting that music can create a physical and emotional bond between the speakers.

The Third Quatrain

The third quatrain continues to explore the theme of music as a transformative force, suggesting that it has the power to transport us to another realm. Millay writes:

The joy of all the earth was in our eyes,
And we the mute ecstatic, walking there,
Till, with unspeakable word, God's own despair
Drove us out of that paradise.

Here, Millay describes the speakers as being transported to a state of ecstasy by the music they create. The idea of "God's own despair" driving them out of paradise suggests that this state is almost too beautiful and profound to be sustained. It also suggests that the speakers have been touched by something divine and otherworldly through their music.

The Concluding Couplet

The concluding couplet reinforces the central idea of the poem, which is the transformative power of music. Millay writes:

Then, like flushed birds, but heard not any more,
We left the golden noose that held us fast.

Here, Millay uses the image of birds to suggest that the speakers have been freed from something that once held them captive. The idea of a "golden noose" is particularly powerful, suggesting that music has the ability to both trap and liberate us.

Interpretation of Sonnet 02

Millay's Sonnets 02: Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song is a celebration of the transformative power of music. Through beautiful and evocative imagery, Millay describes how music can contain and transform intense emotions, connect people on a deep emotional level, heal broken hearts, and transport us to another realm.

The poem speaks to the universal power of music, reminding us of its ability to touch and transform us in ways that words alone cannot. It celebrates the beauty and profundity of music, inviting us to pour our passion into its golden vessel and experience the transformative power of its melody.

Ultimately, Sonnets 02: Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song is a testament to the human spirit and our capacity for beauty and transcendence. It reminds us that, even in the darkest of times, we can find solace and transcendence in the beauty of music.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song" is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to transport us to another world. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and the beauty of language.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the act of writing poetry as a journey. She compares it to sailing on a ship, with the poet as the captain, navigating through the sea of words. The ship is described as a "golden vessel," which suggests that poetry is a precious and valuable thing.

The second line of the poem, "Let us take the hand of the winds," is a call to action. The speaker is inviting us to join her on this journey, to take hold of the winds and let them guide us. This line also suggests that poetry is not something that can be controlled or tamed, but rather something that must be allowed to flow freely.

The third line of the poem, "And sail out upon a summer's day," sets the scene for the journey. The speaker is inviting us to imagine a beautiful summer day, with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can be enjoyed and appreciated, like a beautiful summer day.

The fourth line of the poem, "For a friend is waiting on the pier," introduces the idea of a friend who is waiting for us. This friend is not named, but we can assume that it is someone who loves poetry as much as the speaker does. This line suggests that poetry is something that can be shared and enjoyed with others.

The fifth line of the poem, "To whom we bring a gift from the sea," is a metaphor for the act of writing poetry. The sea represents the vastness of language and the endless possibilities that it offers. The gift that the poet brings is the poem itself, which is like a treasure that has been discovered and brought back to shore.

The sixth line of the poem, "Of rich and varied melody," is a description of the poem itself. The speaker is suggesting that poetry is like music, with its own unique rhythm and melody. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can be appreciated for its beauty and artistry.

The seventh line of the poem, "The full sea rolls and thunders in," is a powerful image of the sea. The speaker is suggesting that poetry is like the sea, with its own power and force. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can be both beautiful and dangerous.

The eighth line of the poem, "And the loud wind sings," is a continuation of the image of the sea. The wind is like the voice of the sea, singing a song that is both beautiful and haunting. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can evoke strong emotions in the reader.

The ninth line of the poem, "And there, where heaven and sea and land," is a description of the place where the poet and her friend have arrived. This place is like a meeting point between different elements of nature, and it suggests that poetry is something that can bring together different ideas and perspectives.

The tenth line of the poem, "Are one, upon the stirring sand," is a description of the unity that is found in poetry. The sand represents the earth, and the unity that is found in poetry is like a connection between all living things. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can bring us closer to nature and to each other.

The eleventh line of the poem, "Let us now be hand in hand," is a call to action. The speaker is inviting us to join her and her friend in this moment of unity. This line also suggests that poetry is something that can bring people together and create a sense of community.

The twelfth line of the poem, "And face the seasons that are and stand," is a reminder that life is constantly changing. The seasons represent the passage of time, and the speaker is suggesting that poetry is something that can help us to face the challenges of life and to find meaning in the midst of change.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "Bound together in the bonds of love," is a description of the connection that is found in poetry. The bonds of love represent the unity that is found in poetry, and the speaker is suggesting that poetry is something that can bring us closer to each other and to the world around us.

The final line of the poem, "We shall walk the golden sands," is a reminder that poetry is something that can be enjoyed and appreciated. The golden sands represent the beauty and richness of life, and the speaker is suggesting that poetry is something that can help us to appreciate the world around us more fully.

In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Into The Golden Vessel Of Great Song" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the power of poetry and the beauty of language. The poem is a call to action, inviting us to join the poet on a journey of discovery and to appreciate the beauty and richness of life. It is a reminder that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of connecting with the world around us and with each other.

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