Song For A Temperance Dinner To Which Ladies Were Invited

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Lyric Poem
(New York Mercantile Library Association, November, 1842)     A health to dear woman! She bids us untwine,     From the cup it encircles, the fast-clinging vine;     But her cheek in its crystal with pleasure will glow,     And mirror its bloom in the bright wave below.     A health to sweet woman! The days are no more     When she watched for her lord till the revel was o'er,     And smoothed the white pillow, and blushed when he came,     As she pressed her cold lips on his forehead of flame.     Alas for the loved one! too spotless and fair     The joys of his banquet to chasten and share;     Her eye lost its light that his goblet might shine,     And the rose of her cheek was dissolved in his wine.     Joy smiles in the fountain, health flows in the rills,     As their ribbons of silver unwind from the hills;     They breathe not the mist of the bacchanal's dream,     But the lilies of innocence float on their stream.     Then a health and a welcome to woman once more!     She brings us a passport that laughs at our door;     It is written on crimson, - its letters are pearls, -     It is countersigned Nature. - So, room for the Girls!

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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 toast to womanhood and a critique of patriarchal society's limiting roles imposed on women. The poet employs vivid imagery and metaphors to express the emancipation and independence of women. The tone is celebratory and yet tinged with a certain melancholy, acknowledging the past suffering of women.

The first two stanzas celebrate women, comparing them to the vine that encircles the cup, a metaphor for their essential role in society. However, these stanzas also hint at the burden women have borne, waiting for their "lords" till the revel was over and suppressing their own desires. The third stanza laments the sacrifices women have made, symbolised by the fading light in their eyes and the dissolution of their vibrant life (rose of her cheek) in the wine, an emblem of men's indulgence.

The fourth stanza contrasts the pure, healthy flow of the rills, untainted by the "mist of the bacchanal's dream", with the suffering of women, embodied by the lilies of innocence. This suggests that a society free from patriarchal constraints is healthier and more joyful. The final stanza reaffirms the importance of women, issuing a hearty welcome to them. The 'passport' metaphor hints that women are not merely participants, but also enablers of societal interaction.

The poem's structure, alternating between celebration and critique, strengthens its central theme. The poet uses literary devices like metaphors (the vine, the cup, the passport), symbolism (the rills, the lilies), and vivid imagery to amplify the themes and tone. The poem's ending, "So, room for the Girls!", serves as a powerful call for societal change and gender equality.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.