Boston To Florence

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Sonnet
    Proud of her clustering spires, her new-built towers,     Our Venice, stolen from the slumbering sea,     A sister's kindliest greeting wafts to thee,     Rose of Val d' Arno, queen of all its flowers!     Thine exile's shrine thy sorrowing love embowers,     Yet none with truer homage bends the knee,     Or stronger pledge of fealty brings, than we,     Whose poets make thy dead Immortal ours.     Lonely the height, but ah, to heaven how near!     Dante, whence flowed that solemn verse of thine     Like the stern river from its Apennine     Whose name the far-off Scythian thrilled with fear:     Now to all lands thy deep-toned voice is dear,     And every language knows the Song Divine!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents a vivid exploration of the themes of cultural admiration, shared universal values, and the enduring nature of art. The speaker voices a profound respect for a distant culture - possibly Venice, as suggested by the mention of "clustering spires, her new-built towers" and "Venice, stolen from the slumbering sea." This admiration extends to the culture's literary contributions, which are symbolized by the figure of Dante, the great Italian poet.

The tone of the poem is both reverential and celebratory. The structure, following a traditional sonnet form, creates a rhythmic pacing that enhances the solemnity of the tribute. The poet uses vivid imagery, such as "Rose of Val d'Arno, queen of all its flowers," to illustrate the beauty and importance of the culture. The use of the metaphor of the "stern river from its Apennine" for Dante's verse is particularly memorable, suggesting a powerful, unyielding force that can inspire fear, yet also indicating the wide-reaching influence of Dante's work. The poem concludes by emphasizing the universality of Dante's "Song Divine", highlighting the transcendence of art across cultures and languages - a testament to the enduring impact of literature.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.