Who Is The Maid? St. Jeromes Love. (Air.--Beethoven.)

By Thomas Moore

Lyric Poem
    Who is the Maid my spirit seeks,         Thro' cold reproof and slander's blight?     Has she Love's roses on her cheeks?         Is hers an eye of this world's light?     No--wan and sunk with midnight prayer         Are the pale looks of her I love;     Or if at times a light be there,         Its beam is kindled from above.     I chose not her, my heart's elect,         From those who seek their Maker's shrine     In gems and garlands proudly decked,         As if themselves were things divine.     No--Heaven but faintly warms the breast         That beats beneath a broidered veil;     And she who comes in glittering vest         To mourn her frailty, still is frail.     Not so the faded form I prize         And love, because its bloom is gone;     The glory in those sainted eyes         Is all the grace her brow puts on.     And ne'er was Beauty's dawn so bright,         So touching as that form's decay,     Which, like the altar's trembling light,         In holy lustre wastes away.

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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 profound exploration of the spiritual, transcendent aspects of love, and the speaker's preference for inner strength and purity over physical beauty or worldly status. The central theme revolves around the adoration of a 'maid' not for her physical attributes, but for her humility and religious dedication. The speaker does not value the 'roses on her cheeks' or the 'eye of this world's light,' but rather the beauty that is 'kindled from above.' This suggests an ideal of love that values the divine over the material, the eternal over the transient.

The structure of the poem, with its alternating rhyme scheme and steady rhythm, adds a musical quality that complements the contemplative tone of the text. The poem also uses noteworthy literary devices such as metaphor and simile to convey its themes. For example, the fading beauty of the woman is compared to 'the altar's trembling light' that 'in holy lustre wastes away.' This reinforces the concept of her beauty as something spiritual and intangible, rather than physical and fleeting. It's a moving tribute to the beauty of devotion and the enduring allure of virtue, suggesting that true beauty is found not in physical youth and vibrancy, but in the steadfast glow of faith and purity.

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.