Author: Matthew Arnold
Far, far from here, The Adriatic breaks in a warm bay Among the green Illyrian hills; and there The sunshine in the happy glens is fair, And by the sea, and in the brakes. The grass is cool, the sea-side air Buoyant and fresh, the mountain flowers More virginal and sweet than ours. And there, they say, two bright and aged snakes, Who once were Cadmus and Harmonia, Bask in the glens or on the warm sea-shore, In breathless quiet, after all their ills; Nor do they see their country, nor the place Where the Sphinx lived among the frowning hills, Nor the unhappy palace of their race, Nor Thebes, nor the Ismenus, any more. There those two live, far in the Illyrian brakes! They had stay'd long enough to see, In Thebes, the billow of calamity Over their own dear children roll'd, Curse upon curse, pang upon pang, For years, they sitting helpless in their home, A grey old man and woman; yet of old The Gods had to their marriage come, And at the banquet all the Muses sang. Therefore they did not end their days In sight of blood, but were rapt, far away, To where the west-wind plays, And murmurs of the Adriatic come To those untrodden mountain-lawns; and there Placed safely in changed forms, the pair Wholly forgot their first sad life, and home, And all that Theban woe, and stray For ever through the glens, placid and dumb.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: The poem, steeped in rich mythological references, is a poignant exploration of transformation, escape, and the healing power of nature. It tells the tale of Cadmus and Harmonia, figures from Greek mythology, who, after a life marked by calamity, are turned into snakes and granted a serene existence in the Illyrian landscape. The imagery of the Adriatic Sea, the green hills, and the mountain flowers serves as a stark contrast to the 'billow of calamity' and 'curse upon curse' that the couple endured in their previous life.
The poem is characterized by a tone of melancholic longing which eventually gives way to a sense of tranquility. The poet's use of anapestic meter and end rhyme provides a fluid, rhythmic quality that mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea, further enhancing the sense of calmness and peace. The theme of transformation is made prominent through the metamorphosis of the couple into snakes, symbolizing rebirth and renewal. The poet also employs the literary device of personification, attributing human emotions and experiences to these snakes, thereby making their story more relatable. Overall, the poem is a poignant representation of the human desire for escape from suffering and the quest for peace and harmony.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.