With a Copy of Shakespeare's Sonnets on Leaving College

By Alan Seeger

Sonnet
    As one of some fat tillage dispossessed,     Weighing the yield of these four faded years,     If any ask what fruit seems loveliest,     What lasting gold among the garnered ears, -     Ah, then I'll say what hours I had of thine,     Therein I reaped Time's richest revenue,     Read in thy text the sense of David's line,     Through thee achieved the love that Shakespeare knew.     Take then his book, laden with mine own love     As flowers made sweeter by deep-drunken rain,     That when years sunder and between us move     Wide waters, and less kindly bonds constrain,     Thou may'st turn here, dear boy, and reading see     Some part of what thy friend once felt for thee.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, structured as a sonnet, explores the themes of love, memory, and the passage of time through the lens of agricultural metaphor. The speaker, reflecting on a relationship that has yielded emotional fruit, measures its value against the backdrop of temporal decay. The opening lines establish a contrast between material loss and the enduring richness of shared experiences, framing love as a harvest that transcends the fleeting nature of time. The central quatrain elevates the relationship to a literary and spiritual plane, invoking David’s wisdom and Shakespeare’s love as benchmarks for the depth of the speaker’s affection. The final couplet, however, introduces a note of melancholy, acknowledging the inevitability of separation and the comfort found in the written word as a lasting testament to love. The poem’s precision lies in its ability to weave personal emotion into a universal meditation on the permanence of art and affection.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.