The Wan Sun Westers, Faint And Slow

By William Ernest Henley

Ballad
    The wan sun westers, faint and slow;     The eastern distance glimmers gray;     An eerie haze comes creeping low     Across the little, lonely bay;     And from the sky-line far away     About the quiet heaven are spread     Mysterious hints of dying day,     Thin, delicate dreams of green and red.     And weak, reluctant surges lap     And rustle round and down the strand.     No other sound . . . If it should hap,     The ship that sails from fairy-land!     The silken shrouds with spells are manned,     The hull is magically scrolled,     The squat mast lives, and in the sand     The gold prow-griffin claws a hold.     It steals to seaward silently;     Strange fish-folk follow thro' the gloom;     Great wings flap overhead; I see     The Castle of the Drowsy Doom     Vague thro' the changeless twilight loom,     Enchanted, hushed.    And ever there     She slumbers in eternal bloom,     Her cushions hid with golden hair.     1875

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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 rich exploration of themes such as solitude, ethereal beauty, and the sublime power of nature. The first stanza paints a vivid picture of a desolate yet beautiful seascape at sunset, filled with "mysterious hints of dying day." The language used here, with phrases such as "wan sun westers" and "eerie haze," not only sets a melancholic, tranquil tone but also showcases the poet's skillful use of alliteration and imagery.

The second and third stanzas transition from this natural setting to a more mystical one, introducing elements of fantasy and dream-like imagery. The ship from fairy-land, the magical hull, the gold prow-griffin, the Castle of the Drowsy Doom, and the golden-haired slumbering figure all contribute to a sense of magical realism. This shift from the natural to the supernatural, along with the consistent iambic tetrameter and the ABAB rhyme scheme, gives the poem a structured yet fluid rhythm.

The poem beautifully juxtaposes the tangible, experienced reality with a dreamy, unreal world, creating an atmosphere of otherworldliness. This, along with the predominant use of nature and color imagery, subtly infuse the poem with a sense of melancholy, longing, and mystery. Overall, the poem is a harmonious blend of naturalistic observation, emotion, and magical elements, making it a powerful evocation of the ethereal beauty of the world, both seen and unseen.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.