Two Days

By William Ernest Henley

Elegy
(February 15 - September 28, 1894)     To V. G.     That day we brought our Beautiful One to lie     In the green peace within your gates, he came     To give us greeting, boyish and kind and shy,     And, stricken as we were, we blessed his name:     Yet, like the Creature of Light that had been ours,     Soon of the sweet Earth disinherited,     He too must join, even with the Year's old flowers,     The unanswering generations of the Dead.     So stand we friends for you, who stood our friend     Through him that day; for now through him you know     That though where love was, love is till the end,     Love, turned of death to longing, like a foe,     Strikes: when the ruined heart goes forth to crave     Mercy of the high, austere, unpitying Grave.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Elegys
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant and melancholic poem presents themes of love, loss, and the unyielding permanence of death. The speaker recounts a memory of loss, subtly using the passage of time (from February to September) to frame the narrative. The tone is solemn and reflective, tinged with sorrow, but also carries a sense of acceptance, highlighting the inescapable nature of mortality.

The poem's structure is well-considered, with an ABAB rhyme scheme that provides rhythm and a sense of order amidst the chaos of grief. The poet employs effective imagery, such as "the Creature of Light that had been ours," to convey the luminous memory of the departed, and "the high, austere, unpitying Grave" to emphasize the cold, unfeeling finality of death.

The use of personification in the last lines paints death as a foe, transforming love into longing. This device effectively communicates the heartache that comes with loss. Yet in the midst of the sorrow, the speaker declares an ongoing friendship, borne of shared grief. This provides a glimmer of consolation, suggesting that love and connection persist even in the face of death.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.