Yes; I write verses now and then,

By Walter Savage Landor

Narrative Poem
    Yes; I write verses now and then,     But blunt and flaccid is my pen,     No longer talkt of by young men     As rather clever:     In the last quarter are my eyes,     You see it by their form and size;     Is it not time then to be wise?     Or now or never.     Fairest that ever sprang from Eve!     While Time allows the short reprieve,     Just look at me! would you believe     'Twas once a lover?     I cannot clear the five-bar gate,     But, trying first its timber's state,     Climb stiffly up, take breath, and wait     To trundle over.     Thro' gallopade I cannot swing     The entangling blooms of Beauty's spring:     I cannot say the tender thing,     Be 't true or false,     And am beginning to opine     Those girls are only half-divine     Whose waists yon wicked boys entwine     In giddy waltz.     I fear that arm above that shoulder,     I wish them wiser, graver, older,     Sedater, and no harm if colder     And panting less.     Ah! people were not half so wild     In former days, when, starchly mild,     Upon her high-heel'd Essex smiled     The brave Queen Bess.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, through the voice of an aging man, explores the melancholy of lost youth and the disillusionment that comes with time. The speaker, reflecting on his diminished physical and emotional capacity, expresses a longing for a past era characterized by decorum and restraint. The poem's four-line stanzas and consistent iambic tetrameter lend a measured, almost mournful cadence to the speaker's musings. Imagery of physical limitations, like the five-bar gate and the inability to swing in a gallopade, underscores the speaker's decline. The speaker's tone shifts in the final stanza, a volta occurring when he contrasts the perceived wildness of contemporary youth with the starchly mild demeanor of Queen Elizabeth I. This nostalgic yearning for a bygone era, however, ultimately reveals a fear of the passionate, untamed energy of youth, a fear that manifests in the speaker's desire for wiser, graver, older young women.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.