'Come hither, child' by Emily Jane Brontë
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Come hither, child--who gifted thee
With power to touch that string so well?
How darest thou rouse up thoughts in me,
Thoughts that I would--but cannot quell?
Nay, chide not, lady; long ago
I heard those notes in Ula's hall,
And had I known they'd waken woe
I'd weep their music to recall.
But thus it was: one festal night
When I was hardly six years old
I stole away from crowds and light
And sought a chamber dark and cold.
I had no one to love me there,
I knew no comrade and no friend;
And so I went to sorrow where
Heaven, only heaven saw me bend.
Loud blew the wind; 'twas sad to stay
From all that splendour barred away.
I imaged in the lonely room
A thousand forms of fearful gloom.
And with my wet eyes raised on high
I prayed to God that I might die.
Suddenly in that silence drear
A sound of music reached my ear,
And then a note, I hear it yet,
So full of soul, so deeply sweet,
I thought that Gabriel's self had come
To take me to thy father's home.
Three times it rose, that seraph strain,
Then died, nor breathed again;
But still the words and still the tone
Dwell round my heart when all alone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Come Hither, Child: A Literary Critique
Emily Jane Brontë is known for her powerful and striking poetry, and Come hither, child is no exception. This poem is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death.
Analysis
The poem begins with a call to a child, imploring them to come closer and listen. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a deeply personal and introspective reflection.
The first stanza establishes the theme of mortality:
Come hither, child—who gifted thee
With power to touch that string so well?
How darest thou rouse up thoughts in me
Thoughts that I would—but cannot quell?
The speaker is struck by the child's ability to evoke such powerful emotions in them. They are forced to confront their own mortality, and the idea that their time is limited.
The second stanza builds on this theme, describing the transience of life:
Nay, chide not, lady!—long ago
I should have taught my heart to quell;
But how the path of time can go
So quickly by, I cannot tell.
The speaker acknowledges that they should have learned to accept the fleeting nature of life a long time ago, but they cannot help but be amazed by how quickly time passes.
The third stanza introduces the idea of memory:
And now I care not when I die,
Nor where, nor how my body lies;
But why should souls unheeded fly,
And leave their memories to arise?
The speaker seems resigned to their own mortality, but they are troubled by the idea that their memories will be left behind when they are gone. They question why the soul should leave memories behind, only to be forgotten.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the child:
I would not be a child again—
Life is a bitter cup to drain;
And bitterer still it grows as rain
Kept in a jar—though drank with pain.
The speaker acknowledges that life is difficult, and that they would not want to go through it again. However, they also recognize that the child still has their whole life ahead of them, and that they will have to face the same struggles that the speaker has faced.
Interpretation
Come hither, child is a deeply personal and introspective poem that reflects on the theme of mortality. The speaker is forced to confront their own mortality, and is troubled by the idea of leaving their memories behind when they are gone.
The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some may see it as a meditation on the value of life, and the importance of making the most of the time we have. Others may see it as a reflection on the inevitability of death, and the need to accept it as a natural part of life.
Regardless of how one interprets the poem, there is no denying its power and beauty. Emily Jane Brontë has crafted a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Conclusion
Come hither, child is a striking and powerful poem that reflects on the theme of mortality. Through its introspective and deeply personal tone, the poem reminds us of the importance of living in the present, and cherishing every moment of our lives.
Emily Jane Brontë's skillful use of language and imagery creates a work that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, standing as a testament to her status as one of the greatest poets of her time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Come hither, child, by Emily Jane Brontë is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of childhood and the innocence that comes with it. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Come hither, child, who gifted thee." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a conversation between the speaker and a child. The speaker is curious about the child's gifts and wants to know where they come from. The use of the word "hither" is an archaic term that means "come here." This word choice adds a sense of formality to the poem and creates a sense of reverence for the child.
The second line of the poem reads, "With power to touch that string so well." This line is a reference to the child's ability to play an instrument. The use of the word "power" suggests that the child's talent is something special and almost magical. The phrase "touch that string so well" is a metaphor for the child's ability to create beautiful music. This line also sets up the theme of the poem, which is the power of art to move and inspire.
The third line of the poem reads, "How darest thou rouse up thoughts so fierce." This line is a reference to the emotional power of the child's music. The use of the word "fierce" suggests that the music is not just beautiful but also intense and emotional. The speaker is amazed that the child can create such powerful emotions with their music.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "So full of voices, in thy single shell." This line is a reference to the child's ability to create complex music with just one instrument. The use of the word "shell" is a metaphor for the instrument, which is like a shell that contains many different voices. This line also sets up the theme of the poem, which is the power of art to create something complex and beautiful out of something simple.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And scatterest the merry notes around." This line is a reference to the child's ability to create joyful music. The use of the word "scatterest" suggests that the music is not just joyful but also playful and carefree. The speaker is amazed that the child can create such a sense of joy with their music.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "As if a sudden breeze might stir a rose." This line is a metaphor for the child's music. The use of the word "breeze" suggests that the music is light and airy, like a gentle breeze. The use of the word "rose" suggests that the music is delicate and beautiful, like a flower. This line also sets up the theme of the poem, which is the power of art to create something beautiful out of something fragile.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Or wake a slumbering echo from the hill." This line is a metaphor for the emotional power of the child's music. The use of the word "echo" suggests that the music has a lasting impact, like an echo that reverberates through the hills. The use of the word "slumbering" suggests that the music has the power to awaken something within us that has been dormant.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Or charm the woodland from its solemn mood." This line is a metaphor for the child's ability to create a sense of wonder and magic with their music. The use of the word "charm" suggests that the music has a magical quality that can transform the world around us. The use of the word "woodland" suggests that the music has the power to create a sense of enchantment and mystery.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Such is thy gift; if thou wilt deign to lend." This line is a reference to the child's talent and the speaker's desire to hear more of it. The use of the word "deign" suggests that the child's talent is something special and almost divine. The speaker is humbled by the child's gift and wants to hear more of it.
The final line of the poem reads, "A voice to every thought within my breast." This line is a reference to the emotional power of the child's music. The use of the word "voice" suggests that the music has the power to give voice to our emotions and thoughts. The speaker is moved by the child's music and feels that it speaks to something deep within them.
In conclusion, Come hither, child by Emily Jane Brontë is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of childhood and the power of art to move and inspire. The poem explores themes of beauty, complexity, fragility, and emotional power. The use of metaphors and archaic language adds a sense of formality and reverence to the poem. Overall, Come hither, child is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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