The Letters

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Still on the tower stood the vane, A black yew gloomed the stagnant air, I peered athwart the chancel pane And saw the altar cold and bare. A clog of lead was round my feet, A band of pain across my brow; Cold altar, Heaven and earth shall meet Before you hear my marriage vow. II. I turned and hummed a bitter song That mocked the wholesome human heart, And then we met in wrath and wrong, We met, but only met to part. Full cold my greeting was and dry; She faintly smiled, she hardly moved; I saw with half-unconscious eye She wore the colours I approved. III. She took the little ivory chest, With half a sigh she turned the key, Then raised her head with lips comprest, And gave my letters back to me. And gave the trinkets and the rings, My gifts, when gifts of mine could please; As looks a father on the things Of his dead son, I looked on these. IV. She told me all her friends had said; I raged against the public liar; She talked as if her love were dead, But in my words were seeds of fire. No more of love; your sex is known: I never will be twice deceived. Henceforth I trust the man alone, The woman cannot be believed. V. Through slander, meanest spawn of Hell And womans slander is the worst, And you, whom once I loved so well, Through you, my life will be accurst. I spoke with heart, and heat and force, I shook her breast with vague alarms Like torrents from a mountains source We rushed into each others arms. VI. We parted: sweetly gleamed the stars, And sweet the vapour-braided blue, Low breezes fanned the belfry bars, As homeward by the church I drew. The very graves appeared to smile, So fresh they rose in shadowed swells; Dark porch, I said, and silent aisle, There comes a sound of marriage bells.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem navigates the turbulent waters of unrequited love, betrayal, and reconciliation with evocative imagery and a tone marked by bitterness and resignation. The poet uses a narrative style, breaking the story into six stanzas which, akin to chapters in a book, sequentially unfold the tale.

The poem opens with an almost foreboding atmosphere, a sense of the protagonist's despair and resignation about a love that seems unattainable. The tone is dark, the imagery gloomy. The leaden weight of despair is communicated through symbols such as a “clog of lead” around the speaker's feet and a “band of pain” across their brow. This tone of despair continues into the second and third stanzas, as the speaker encounters a lover who appears indifferent, returning his letters and trinkets, signifying the end of their relationship.

The fourth stanza marks a turning point with the protagonist expressing anger and disillusionment, vowing to never trust women again, indicative of the wider theme of gender mistrust. This bitterness and resignation soon give way to a passionate reconciliation in the fifth stanza, where the lovers are described as rushing “into each other's arms” like torrents from a mountain's source.

The sixth and final stanza seems to represent a sense of peace and closure. The imagery becomes more serene and positive, with the rising graves appearing to smile and the sound of marriage bells in the distance. The change of tone and imagery in the final stanza suggests a sense of acceptance and resolution, perhaps indicating that the protagonist has managed to find a sense of peace despite the past bitterness and resentment. Overall, the poem is a journey through the emotional landscape of love, loss, and reconciliation.

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.