Weary of myself, and sick of asking
What I am, and what I ought to be,
At this vessel's prow I stand, which bears me
Forwards, forwards, o'er the starlit sea.
And a look of passionate desire
O'er the sea and to the stars I send:
"Ye who from my childhood up have calm'd me,
Calm me, ah, compose me to the end!
"Ah, once more," I cried, "ye stars, ye waters,
On my heart your mighty charm renew;
Still, still let me, as I gaze upon you,
Feel my soul becoming vast like you!"
From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of heaven,
Over the lit sea's unquiet way,
In the rustling night-air came the answer:
"Wouldst thou be as these are? Live as they.
"Unaffrighted by the silence round them,
Undistracted by the sights they see,
These demand not that the things without them
Yield them love, amusement, sympathy.
"And with joy the stars perform their shining,
And the sea its long moon-silver'd roll;
For self-poised they live, nor pine with noting
All the fever of some differing soul.
"Bounded by themselves, and unregardful
In what state God's other works may be,
In their own tasks all their powers pouring,
These attain the mighty life you see."
O air-born voice! long since, severely clear,
A cry like thine in mine own heart I hear:
"Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,
Who finds himself, loses his misery!"
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From guest rhea (contact)
what does this poem all about? what do you mean by this? i cant understand.. can you help me because this is my report.. -
Is this perhaps the thoughts of an emigrant leaving his home and friends and family for a new life far across the sea? Perhaps leaving England for Australia or America as many did at that time. Full of uncertainty he is asking what he will be, what can he be, can he be as calm and accepting as the elements around him. The sea, the night sky, gulls and fishes too perhaps, that appear so content and satisfied.
Can he stop striving to mimic others and accept himself and thus gain his own contentement?? -
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By paragraph? I'll help you with the first. We all question our lives, why we are here, if we are doing the right thing, living life to its fullest, etc. Here, he is the vessel, the sea is life.
Now your turn.
Read each line slowly, thinking about the words, what he might mean, what is he saying? Notice that he speaks of nature, why? Keeping in mind the title of the poem often helps.
Good luck and happy reading.
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neutral
perhaps a new category is needed to classify poems such as this one? it is certainly not a love poem, as it is largely concerned with faith vs science, supporting the side of faith.
Maybe just more general category for victorian english works...
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