Fulfilment

By John Frederick Freeman

    Happy are they whom men and women love,     And you were happy as a river that flows     Down between lonely hills, and knows     The pang and virtue of that loneliness,     And moves unresting on until it move     Under the trees that stoop at the low brink     And deepen their cool shade, and drink     And sing and hush and sing again,     Breathing their music's many-toned caress;     While the river with his high clear music speaks     Sometimes of loneliness, of hills obscure,     Sometimes of sunlight dancing on the plain,     Or of the night of stars unbared and deep     Multiplied in his depths unbared and pure;     Sometimes of winds that from the unknown sea creep,     Sometimes of morning when most clear it breaks     Spilling its brightness on his breast like rain:--     And then flows on in loneliness again     Towards the unknown near sea.     Was it in mere happiness or pain?     There were things said that spoke of naked pain,     With nothing between the wound and the sharp-edged world;     Things seen that told of such perplexity     As darkened night with night: but was that pain?     And there were things created all delight,     Making delight fruitful a hundred fold:     Sweetness of earth, energy of sun and rain,     Colour and shape, flowers and grasses bright,     And the clear firm body of a bare lovely hill,     And woods around its feet fast caught and curled,     And the cold sweets of lonely travelled night....     And was that happiness?--or something more,     That gathered happiness and pain like flowers     Half perished, and let them perish; and brightened still     In those dark mental journeys of cold hours     That found you what you were and left you stronger,     Shutting a door and opening a door?...     O door that you have passed so quickly through,     Ere we well knew what man you were, nor knew     What you had shown in life but a little longer!     It was not pain nor happiness for you,     Not any named delight or pang of sense,     But swift fulfilment past all sense or thought     Of what you were with all that time could make you;     No separate gift, spiritual influence,     But something wrought     From your own heart, with all that life could make you.

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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 profound exploration of the human condition, touching on themes such as happiness, loneliness, pain, and the quest for understanding. Its tone is contemplative and melancholic, yet also carries an undercurrent of hope and resilience. The river serves as a prominent metaphor throughout the piece, embodying the journey of life with its ebbs and flows, its solitude and deep sense of introspection.

The structure of the poem, with its alternating long and short lines, mirrors the fluctuating emotions and experiences it discusses, ranging from moments of joy and delight to instances of pain and perplexity. The poet's use of vivid imagery, like "sunlight dancing on the plain", "woods around its feet fast caught and curled", and "the cold sweets of lonely travelled night", creates a strong sensory experience, making the emotions conveyed feel palpable and immediate to the reader.

The poet employs a variety of literary devices to enrich the poem's depth and resonance. Repetition—of words like "loneliness", "happiness", and "pain"—underscores the recurring nature of these emotions in life. The juxtaposition of "happiness" and "pain" serves to highlight the complex nature of human experiences, suggesting that they are often intertwined and not easily distinguishable. The rhetorical questions posed throughout the piece provoke thought and reflection, further engaging the reader in the exploration of the profound themes. The poem ends on a note of acceptance and fulfillment, suggesting that life's journey, with all its joys and sorrows, shapes our identities and gives meaning to our existence.

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.