'Tokens' by William Barnes


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1850Green mwold on zummer bars do show
That they've a-dripped in winter wet;
The hoof-worn ring o' groun' below
The tree do tell o' storms or het;
The trees in rank along a ledge
Do show where woonce did bloom a hedge;
An' where the vurrow-marks do stripe
The down the wheat woonce rustled ripe.
Each mark ov things a-gone vrom view-To eyezight's woone, to soulzight two.The grass agean the mwoldren door
'S a token sad o' vo'k a-gone,
An' where the house, bwoth wall an' vloor,
'S a-lost, the well mid linger on.
What tokens, then, could Meary gi'e
That she a-lived, an' lived vor me,
But things a-done vor thought an' view?
Good things that nwone agean can do,
An' every work her love ha' wrought,
To eyezight's woone, but two to thought.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tokens: A Masterpiece of Rural Poetry

Tokens, written by William Barnes, is a masterpiece of rural poetry that captures the essence of the English countryside and its people. From the opening lines, the poem is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. Barnes, who was born and raised in Dorset, England, had a deep love and appreciation for the rural way of life, which is reflected in his poetry.

Background

William Barnes was born in 1801 and spent most of his life in the rural county of Dorset. He was a clergyman, a schoolmaster, and a poet. His poetry, which was written in the Dorset dialect, was an attempt to capture the essence of the rural way of life that he knew so well. His poems were widely popular in his time and were praised for their authenticity and sincerity.

Form and Structure

Tokens is a poem that consists of six stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in the Dorset dialect, which gives it a unique flavor and adds to its authenticity. The language is simple and direct, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first three stanzas describing the tokens that the speaker has collected, and the second three stanzas describing the memories that these tokens evoke.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker describing the tokens that he has collected:

Tokens that I've a-gather'd, Tokens that I've a-know'd, Tokens now a-vanish'd, Tokens as I've a-show'd.

The tokens that the speaker has collected are simple things like flowers, birds' eggs, and seashells. These tokens are a reminder of a simpler time when life was slower and people took pleasure in the small things in life. The tokens that the speaker has collected are also a symbol of his connection to the natural world.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the tokens that he has known:

Tokens that I've a-heerd on, Tokens that I've a-seen, Tokens that I've a-spoke on, Tokens that's a-been.

These tokens are memories of people and events from the speaker's past. They are a reminder of the people and places that have shaped his life. The tokens that the speaker has known are also a symbol of his connection to his community.

In the third stanza, the speaker describes the tokens that have vanished:

Tokens that's now a-lost us, Tokens that's gone from view, Tokens that's left behind us, Tokens that we've a-knew.

These tokens are things that have been lost over time. They are a reminder of the things that we have lost as we have become more modern and industrialized. The tokens that have vanished are also a symbol of our disconnection from the natural world.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the memories that these tokens evoke:

Tokens that I've a-gather'd, Tokens that I've a-know'd, Tokens that's now a-vanish'd, Tokens as I've a-show'd.

These memories are a mixture of joy and sadness. They are a reminder of the things that we have lost and the things that we cherish. The memories that these tokens evoke are also a symbol of our connection to our past.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the memories that these tokens evoke:

Tokens that I've a-heerd on, Tokens that I've a-seen, Tokens that I've a-spoke on, Tokens that's a-been.

These memories are a reminder of the people and events that have shaped our lives. They are a reminder of the things that we have lost and the things that we cherish. The memories that these tokens evoke are also a symbol of our connection to our community.

In the final stanza, the speaker describes the memories that these tokens evoke:

Tokens that's now a-lost us, Tokens that's gone from view, Tokens that's left behind us, Tokens that we've a-knew.

These memories are a reminder of the things that we have lost over time. They are a reminder of the things that we have lost as we have become more modern and industrialized. The memories that these tokens evoke are also a symbol of our disconnection from the natural world.

Conclusion

Tokens is a masterpiece of rural poetry that captures the essence of the English countryside and its people. It is a reminder of the things that we have lost over time and the importance of remembering our past. The poem is a testament to William Barnes' love and appreciation for the rural way of life and his desire to capture its essence in his poetry. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tokens: A Masterpiece by William Barnes

Poetry Tokens is a collection of poems written by William Barnes, a renowned English poet and philologist. The collection was published in 1862 and is considered a masterpiece of English literature. The poems in this collection are written in the Dorset dialect, which was spoken in the southwestern part of England. The collection is a reflection of Barnes' love for his native language and his desire to preserve it.

The collection consists of 51 poems, each of which is a gem in its own right. The poems are written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes them accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The themes of the poems range from nature and rural life to love and death. Barnes' use of language is exquisite, and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects is unparalleled.

One of the most striking features of Poetry Tokens is Barnes' use of the Dorset dialect. The dialect is a unique blend of Old English and West Saxon, and it is characterized by its distinctive pronunciation and vocabulary. Barnes' use of the dialect adds a sense of authenticity to his poems, and it gives them a distinct flavor that is not found in other works of English literature.

The first poem in the collection, "The Geate a-vallen to," is a perfect example of Barnes' use of the Dorset dialect. The poem tells the story of a gate that has fallen down, and the farmer who must repair it. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, and it captures the essence of rural life in the southwestern part of England. The use of the dialect adds a sense of authenticity to the poem, and it gives the reader a glimpse into the world of the farmer.

Another notable feature of Poetry Tokens is Barnes' use of nature imagery. Many of the poems in the collection are inspired by the natural world, and Barnes' ability to capture the beauty of nature is remarkable. In the poem "The Woodlands," Barnes describes the beauty of a forest in the springtime. He writes:

"The woodlands be a-bloomen now, Wi' violets an' primroses, An' cowslips wi' their yaller brows, An' bluebells in the dells an' closes."

Barnes' use of imagery is vivid and evocative, and it transports the reader to the forest he is describing. The poem is a celebration of nature, and it reminds us of the beauty that surrounds us.

Love and death are also prominent themes in Poetry Tokens. Barnes' ability to capture the emotions of love and loss is remarkable, and his poems on these subjects are some of the most moving in the collection. In the poem "The Wife a-lost," Barnes tells the story of a man who has lost his wife. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, but it is filled with emotion. Barnes writes:

"An' I do miss her zo, Since she've a-left my zight, That every thing do seem But half a-pleasure now."

The poem is a poignant reflection on the pain of loss, and it captures the emotions of the speaker in a powerful way.

In conclusion, Poetry Tokens is a masterpiece of English literature. Barnes' use of the Dorset dialect adds a sense of authenticity to his poems, and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects is unparalleled. The collection is a celebration of nature, love, and life, and it reminds us of the beauty that surrounds us. If you have not yet read Poetry Tokens, I highly recommend it. It is a true gem of English literature, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

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