To Marguerite, In Returning A Volume Of The Letters Of Ortis

By Matthew Arnold

Lyric Poem
    Yes: in the sea of life enisld,     With echoing straits between us thrown,     Dotting the shoreless watery wild,     We mortal millions live alone.     The islands feel the enclasping flow,     And then their endless bounds they know.     But when the moon their hollows lights,     And they are swept by balms of spring,     And in their glens, on starry nights,     The nightingales divinely sing;     And lovely notes, from shore to shore,     Across the sounds and channels pour     Oh! then a longing like despair     Is to their farthest caverns sent;     For surely once, they feel, we were     Parts of a single continent!     Now round us spreads the watery plain     Oh might our marges meet again!     Who orderd, that their longings fire     Should be, as soon as kindled, coold?     Who renders vain their deep desire?     A God, a God their severance ruld!     And bade betwixt their shores to be     The unplumbd, salt, estranging sea.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem paints a vivid picture of isolation and longing, set against the backdrop of a vast, insurmountable sea. The metaphor of islands, separated by echoing straits, embodies the human condition of solitude and our inherent desire for connection. The poet uses this imagery to explore themes of yearning, separation, and the divine intervention that dictates our destinies.

The poem's tone oscillates between melancholic acceptance and intense longing, conveying our innate human struggle between acceptance of our circumstances and the desire to transcend them. The structure of the poem, with its rhythmic and rhyming quatrains, highlights the dichotomy of this struggle, echoing the ebb and flow of the sea itself. The poet uses evocative imagery and language, such as "the nightingales divinely sing" and "a longing like despair", to draw the reader into this emotional conflict.

One of the standout literary devices in this poem is the use of the sea as a symbol for separation and the unattainable. The sea's vastness and depth, "unplumb'd, salt, estranging", underline the enormity of the divide between individuals, amplifying the sense of isolation. The poem also employs personification, attributing deep longing and despair to the islands, which further intensifies the sense of yearning.

The concluding lines intriguingly attribute the islands' separation and the quenching of their desires to God, suggesting divine control or fate. This raises questions about free will and destiny, adding another layer of complexity to the poem. Overall, the poem is a poignant exploration of solitude, longing, and the human condition, skilfully using rich imagery and metaphor to evoke these universal themes.

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.