The Shrine. To ......

By Thomas Moore

Lyric Poem
    My fates had destined me to rove     A long, long pilgrimage of love;     And many an altar on my way     Has lured my pious steps to stay;     For if the saint was young and fair,     I turned, and sung my vespers there.     This, from a youthful pilgrim's fire,     Is what your pretty saints require:     To pass, nor tell a single bead,     With them would be profane indeed!     But, trust me, all this young devotion     Was but to keep my zeal in motion;     And, every humbler altar past,     I now have reached THE SHRINE at last!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lively exploration of a pilgrim's journey, using love and faith as metaphors to illuminate the speaker's personal journey. The primary theme is the exploration of love as a pilgrimage, a journey that requires devotion, persistence, and personal evolution. The tone of the poem is playful and slightly irreverent, suggesting a light-hearted yet earnest approach to the often weighty subjects of love and faith.

The structure is straightforward, with regular rhythm and rhyming couplets, which lend a sense of continuity and momentum to the narrative. This reflects the idea of a pilgrimage—a journey with a clear path and destination. The poem uses religious imagery and language, such as "altar," "saint," "vespers," and "shrine," to heighten the sacredness of the speaker's romantic pursuits. This, combined with the speaker's casual reference to these pursuits—"if the saint was young and fair, I turned, and sung my vespers there"—creates an interesting juxtaposition and adds a cheeky element to the poem.

The final couplet brings the poem to a satisfying close, suggesting that the speaker's journey has led them to a significant destination or realization—THE SHRINE. This could represent a final, true love or perhaps a deeper understanding of themselves. The use of capitalization for "THE SHRINE" emphasizes its importance in the speaker's journey, marking it as a moment of culmination or revelation.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.