Ambition.

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

Now to my lips lift then some opiate
 Of black forgetfulness! while in thy gaze
 Still lures the loveless beauty that betrays,
 And in thy mouth the music that is hate.
 No promise more hast thou to make me wait;
 No smile to cozen my sick heart with praise!
 Far, far behind thee stretch laborious days,
 And far before thee, labors soon and late.
 Thine is the fen-fire that we deem a star,
 Flying before us, ever fugitive,
 Thy mocking policy still holds afar:
 And thine the voice, to which our longings give
 Hope's siren face, that speaks us sweet and fair,
 Only to lead us captives to Despair.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem presents a strong exploration of themes of disillusionment, unrequited love, and despair. The speaker's tone is one of melancholy and frustration, emphasizing a sense of futility and deception. The poem is structured with an ABBA rhyme scheme, which adds a rhythmic quality to the speaker's lament.

The poem begins with a plea for oblivion, suggesting the speaker's desire to escape from a painful reality. The phrase "loveless beauty that betrays" suggests an unreciprocated affection towards an object of love that is emotionally detached or indifferent. The "music that is hate" in the beloved's mouth again underscores this theme of betrayal.

The poem also employs the metaphor of a "fen-fire" for the beloved. A fen-fire, or will-o'-the-wisp, is a deceptive light that can lead travelers astray, reinforcing the idea of the beloved as a source of misleading hope and eventual despair.

The final lines encapsulate the poem's theme of unrequited love leading to despair. The beloved's voice is compared to a siren that lures the speaker with false hope, only to lead to disappointment. The poem, therefore, is both a lament for lost love and a critique of the deceptive allure of unfulfilled desire.

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.