Pastures

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Here where the coves indent the shore and fall     And fill with ebb and flowing of the tides;     Whereon some barge rocks or some dory rides,     By which old orchards bloom, or, from the wall,     Pelt every lane with fruit; where gardens, tall     With roses, riot; swift my gladness glides     To that old pasture where the mushroom hides,     The chicory blooms and Peace sits mid them all.     Fenced in with rails and rocks, its emerald slopes.     Ribbed with huge granite, where the placid cows     Tinkle a browsing bell, roll to a height     Wherefrom the sea, bright as adventuring hopes,     Swept of white sails and plowed of foaming prows,     Leaps like a Nereid on the ravished sight.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents an idyllic and vibrant portrayal of a coastal landscape, demonstrating a deep communion with nature through vivid, sensory imagery, and a keen sense of place. The landscape is rendered in meticulous detail, from the "coves indent[ing] the shore" to the "old orchards bloom," and the "gardens, tall with roses." The poet uses personification to imbue the landscape with a sense of life and dynamism. For instance, the sea "leaps like a Nereid," a sea nymph from Greek mythology, on the sight.

The tone of the poem is one of joy, peace, and reverence for the natural world. The structure follows a traditional rhyme scheme, which gives a sense of rhythm and flow that parallels the "ebb and flowing of the tides." The use of semicolons at the end of each line gives the poem a sense of continuity, much like the unceasing ebb and flow of the sea. The theme of peace is underscored by the tranquil imagery of a "placid" cow and the personified "Peace" sitting amidst the pastoral scene. The poem culminates in a sublime vision of the sea, a metaphor for "adventuring hopes," suggesting an underlying theme of the boundless potential and beauty of life.

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.