A Birthday Gift

By Robert Fuller Murray

Sonnet
    No gift I bring but worship, and the love          Which all must bear to lovely souls and pure,          Those lights, that, when all else is dark, endure;     Stars in the night, to lift our eyes above;     To lift our eyes and hearts, and make us move          Less doubtful, though our journey be obscure,          Less fearful of its ending, being sure     That they watch over us, where'er we rove.     And though my gift itself have little worth,          Yet worth it gains from her to whom 'tis given,                 As a weak flower gets colour from the sun.     Or rather, as when angels walk the earth,          All things they look on take the look of heaven--                 For of those blessed angels thou art one.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem under scrutiny beautifully explores the themes of love, divine guidance, and the transformative power of purity. The speaker presents themselves as an admirer, offering not material gifts, but the gift of worship and love. This love is directed towards the "lovely souls and pure," metaphorically referred to as "stars in the night," which symbolizes their guiding and enduring qualities in times of darkness or uncertainty.

The structure of the poem is a sonnet, typically associated with love and romance, further emphasizing the central theme. The tone throughout is reverent and earnest, suggesting a deep respect for the subject. The poet uses a variety of literary devices, particularly similes and metaphors, to convey their admiration and the transformative effect of the subject's purity. The subject is compared to angels walking the earth, and everything they look upon is said to gain a heavenly aspect, again highlighting the transformative and elevating power of purity and goodness.

The poem also subtly explores the concept of value and worth. The speaker acknowledges that their gift may appear insignificant, but argues that its value is amplified when given to the subject, much like a "weak flower gets colour from the sun." This analogy illustrates the speaker's belief in the subject's power to elevate and enrich their offering, reinforcing the overarching theme of the transformative power of love and purity.

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.