Princess: A Medley: The Splendour Falls On Castle Walls

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Lyric Poem
The splendour falls on castle walls And snowy summits old in story: The long light shakes across the lakes, And the wild cataract leaps in glory. Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying, Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying. O hark, O hear! how thin and clear, And thinner, clearer, farther going! O sweet and far from cliff and scar The horns of Elfland faintly blowing! Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying: Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying. O love, they die in yon rich sky, They faint on hill or field or river: Our echoes roll from soul to soul, And grow for ever and for ever. Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying, And answer, echoes, answer, dying, dying, dying.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem beautifully combines elements of the natural world with profound human emotions. The primary themes explored are transience, mortality, and the enduring power of love and memory. The tone is at once melancholic and celebratory, capturing the ephemeral beauty of life and the ceaseless continuity of past, present, and future.

The poem's structure is characterized by recurring refrains and a rhythmic pattern that mimics the echo it describes, creating a musical quality that enhances the narrative. Meanwhile, the poet employs vivid imagery and personification to bring the landscape to life, juxtaposing the grandeur of the natural world with the human act of mourning. The "wild cataract" that "leaps in glory" and the "bugle" that sets "the wild echoes flying" evoke a sense of awe and wonder, while the "echoes, dying, dying, dying" reflect the inescapability of death. Yet, the image of echoes rolling "from soul to soul" and growing "for ever and for ever" suggests that while physical existence may be fleeting, the echoes of love and memory are eternal. This balance of melancholy and hopefulness gives the poem a universal appeal, as it grapples with the human condition in relation to the grandeur of nature.

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.