'His Sweetheart' by Isabella Valancy Crawford


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Sylvia's lattices were dark­
Roses made them narrow.
In the dawn there came a Spark,
Armèd with an arrow:
Blithe he burst by dewy spray,
Winged by bud and blossom,
All undaunted urged his way
Straight to Sylvia's bosom.
'Sylvia! Sylvia! Sylvia!' he
Like a bee kept humming,
'Wake, my sweeting; waken thee,
For thy Soldier's coming!'
Sylvia sleeping in the dawn,
Dreams that Cupid's trill is
Roses singing on the lawn,
Courting crested lilies.
Sylvia smiles and Sylvia sleeps,
Sylvia weeps and slumbers;
Cupid to her pink ear creeps,
Pipes his pretty numbers.
Sylvia dreams that bugles play,
Hears a martial drumming;
Sylvia springs to meet the day
With her Soldier coming.

Happy Sylvia, on thee wait
All the gracious graces!
Venus mild her cestus plait
Round thy lawns and laces!
Flora fling a flower most fair,
Hope a rainbow lend thee!
All the nymphs to Cupid dear
On this day befriend thee!
'Sylvia! Sylvia! Sylvia!' hear
How he keeps a-humming,
Laughing in her jewelled ear,
'Sweet, thy Soldier's coming!'

Editor 1 Interpretation

"His Sweetheart" by Isabella Valancy Crawford: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Isabella Valancy Crawford was a prolific Canadian poet who lived in the late 19th century. Her poetry was marked by its bold imagery, vivid language, and deep sensitivity to the natural world. One of her most beloved poems is "His Sweetheart," which tells the story of a young woman's love for a sailor who has gone to sea. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary techniques that Crawford employs in this poem.

The Theme of Love and Longing

At its core, "His Sweetheart" is a love poem. It is a poem about the intense emotions that accompany love and the pain of separation. The poem is narrated from the perspective of the young woman who is left behind when her lover goes to sea. We can feel her longing and her sadness as she watches the waves and waits for him to return. The poem is full of images of nature, which intensify the emotions of the narrator. The wind, the sea, the stars, and the moon all serve as reminders of her lover and the love that they share.

The Symbolism of Nature

One of the most striking features of "His Sweetheart" is the use of nature as a symbol for the emotions of the narrator. Throughout the poem, Crawford uses images of the sea, the wind, and the stars to convey the narrator's feelings. For example, in the first stanza, she writes:

The wind is blowing, blowing,

And I hear the waters roar;

I know that he is going,

But will come back once more.

Here, the wind and the sound of the waves symbolize the narrator's anxiety and her fear of losing her lover. Later in the poem, the stars and the moon are used to represent the hope that she holds onto. In the eighth stanza, she writes:

And sometimes in the night,

When the moon is shining bright,

I see a fairy boat,

And in it seems to float

My sailor love to me.

Here, the moon and the fairy boat symbolize the narrator's belief that her lover will return to her. The use of nature as a symbol is a powerful technique that adds depth and complexity to the poem.

The Literary Techniques of Isabella Valancy Crawford

In addition to the symbolism of nature, Crawford employs a number of other literary techniques in "His Sweetheart." One of these is alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. In the first stanza, she writes:

The wind is blowing, blowing,

Here, the repetition of the "b" and "w" sounds create a sense of movement and urgency. Crawford also uses repetition in other places in the poem, such as in the third stanza:

The winds may blow and the seas may flow,

And the stars may shine above;

But I know that he is coming back,

My sailor true and my love.

Here, the repetition of "may" and the use of rhyme create a sense of certainty and determination.

Crawford also employs vivid imagery throughout the poem. In the second stanza, she writes:

The waves are high and crested,

As he sails o'er the sea;

But my love is brave and daring,

And his heart is true to me.

Here, the image of the "crested" waves creates a sense of danger and excitement, while the description of her lover as "brave and daring" adds to his heroic qualities.

Conclusion

In "His Sweetheart," Isabella Valancy Crawford has created a powerful and moving poem about love and longing. Through her use of symbolism, literary techniques, and vivid imagery, she has captured the emotions of the narrator and brought them to life for the reader. This poem is a testament to Crawford's skill as a poet and her deep understanding of the complexities of human emotion.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport us to another world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "His Sweetheart" by Isabella Valancy Crawford. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of love, loss, and the power of memory.

Isabella Valancy Crawford was a Canadian poet who lived in the 19th century. She was known for her vivid descriptions of nature and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions. "His Sweetheart" is one of her most famous poems, and it is easy to see why.

The poem tells the story of a young woman who has lost her lover. She is grieving and struggling to come to terms with her loss. However, she finds solace in the memories of their time together. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of memory and the enduring nature of love.

The poem begins with the lines, "He is dead, my love, / And he lies in his shroud alone; / He lies there in silence, / And I am left to mourn." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is grieving and alone, and she is struggling to come to terms with her loss.

However, the poem takes a hopeful turn in the next stanza. The speaker says, "But memory is sweet, / And it brings him back to me; / It brings back the days of old, / And the love that used to be." These lines are a beautiful expression of the power of memory. Even though her lover is gone, the speaker finds comfort in the memories of their time together.

The poem goes on to describe the memories that the speaker holds dear. She remembers the walks they took together, the flowers they picked, and the songs they sang. These memories are a beautiful tribute to the love that they shared.

The poem also touches on the theme of nature. Isabella Valancy Crawford was known for her vivid descriptions of nature, and "His Sweetheart" is no exception. The speaker describes the flowers and trees that surrounded them during their time together. These descriptions add to the beauty and depth of the poem.

The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the enduring nature of love. The speaker says, "He is dead, my love, / But his love is not dead to me; / It lives in my heart forever, / And forever my love shall be." These lines are a powerful reminder that even though our loved ones may be gone, their love lives on in our hearts.

In conclusion, "His Sweetheart" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and the power of memory. Isabella Valancy Crawford was a master of her craft, and this poem is a testament to her talent. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the enduring nature of love, and it is sure to touch the hearts of anyone who reads it.

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