Far, Far Away Is Mirth Withdrawn

By Emily Bronte

Elegy
    Far, far away is mirth withdrawn     'Tis three long hours before the morn     And I watch lonely, drearily     So come thou shade commune with me     Deserted one! thy corpse lies cold     And mingled with a foreign mould     Year after year the grass grows green     Above the dust where thou hast been.     I will not name thy blighted name     Tarnished by unforgotton shame     Though not because my bosom torn     Joins the mad world in all its scorn     Thy phantom face is dark with woe     Tears have left ghastly traces there,     Those ceaseless tears! I wish their flow     Could quench thy wild despair.     They deluge my heart like the rain     On cursed Gomorrah's howling plain     Yet when I hear thy foes deride     I must cling closely to thy side     Our mutual foes, they will not rest     From trampling on thy buried breast     Glutting there hatred with the doom     They picture thine, beyond the tomb     But God is not like human kind     Man cannot read the Almighty mind     Vengeance will never tortue they     Nor hunt thy soul eternally     Then do not in this night of grief     This time of over whelming fear     O do not think that God can leave     Forget, forsake, refuse to hear!     What have I dreamt? He lies asleep     With whom my heart would vainly weep     He rests - and I endure the woe     That left his spirit long ago

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an exploration of sorrow, despair, and the hope for divine redemption. The overarching themes are grief and alienation, as the speaker grapples with the loss of a loved one, whose passing has been tainted with 'unforgotten shame', likely leading to societal alienation.

The poem's tone is somber and introspective, with the speaker reaching out to the 'shade' or spirit of the deceased in the loneliness of the night. The imagery used, such as 'ghastly traces' of tears and 'cursed Gomorrah's howling plain', underscores the profound grief and despair experienced by the speaker. The poem effectively uses the metaphor of a storm ('They deluge my heart like the rain') to express the overwhelming nature of these emotions.

Despite the pervasive sorrow, the poem also brings forth a theme of defiant loyalty and compassion, as the speaker declares their steadfastness in the face of shared enemies, who 'trample' on the memory of the deceased. The speaker's faith in divine justice and mercy is captured in the later stanzas, suggesting that God's judgment will differ from that of mankind.

The poem adheres to a consistent structure, with each stanza made up of four lines, and a clear ABAB rhyme scheme. This regularity might be seen as a reflection of the relentless passage of time, which continues undeterred despite personal sorrow.

Overall, the poem is a poignant exploration of personal grief, societal judgment, and spiritual faith, using evocative imagery and a consistent structure to convey a deeply human experience of loss.

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.