Rococo

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Lyric Poem
    Take hands and part with laughter;     Touch lips and part with tears;     Once more and no more after,     Whatever comes with years.     We twain shall not remeasure     The ways that left us twain;     Nor crush the lees of pleasure     From sanguine grapes of pain.     We twain once well in sunder,     What will the mad gods do     For hate with me, I wonder,     Or what for love with you?     Forget them till November,     And dream theres April yet;     Forget that I remember,     And dream that I forget.     Time found our tired love sleeping,     And kissed away his breath;     But what should we do weeping,     Though light love sleep to death?     We have drained his lips at leisure,     Till theres not left to drain     A single sob of pleasure,     A single pulse of pain.     Dream that the lips once breathless     Might quicken if they would;     Say that the soul is deathless;     Dream that the gods are good;     Say March may wed September,     And time divorce regret;     But not that you remember,     And not that I forget.     We have heard from hidden places     What love scarce lives and hears:     We have seen on fervent faces     The pallor of strange tears:     We have trod the wine-vats treasure,     Whence, ripe to steam and stain,     Foams round the feet of pleasure     The blood-red must of pain.     Remembrance may recover     And time bring back to time     The name of your first lover,     The ring of my first rhyme;     But rose-leaves of December     The frosts of June shall fret,     The day that you remember,     The day that I forget.     The snake that hides and hisses     In heaven we twain have known;     The grief of cruel kisses,     The joy whose mouth makes moan;     The pulses pause and measure,     Where in one furtive vein     Throbs through the heart of pleasure     The purpler blood of pain.     We have done with tears and treasons     And love for treasons sake;     Room for the swift new seasons,     The years that burn and break,     Dismantle and dismember     Mens days and dreams, Juliette;     For love may not remember,     But time will not forget.     Life treads down love in flying,     Time withers him at root;     Bring all dead things and dying,     Reaped sheaf and ruined fruit,     Where, crushed by three days pressure,     Our three days love lies slain;     And earlier leaf of pleasure,     And latter flower of pain.     Breathe close upon the ashes,     It may be flame will leap;     Unclose the soft close lashes,     Lift up the lids, and weep.     Light loves extinguished ember,     Let one tear leave it wet     For one that you remember     And ten that you forget.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This emotionally charged poem explores the themes of love, loss, memory, and time. The poet uses vivid and powerful imagery to represent a love that was once passionate and vibrant but has now faded into the past. The repeated contrasts between terms such as "laughter" and "tears", "pleasure" and "pain", and "remember" and "forget", underscore the complexities and contradictions inherent in human relationships. The time motif is particularly striking, emphasizing the merciless ticking of the clock and the inevitable distance it creates between once-intimate individuals.

The poet's tone is melancholic and reflective, imbuing the poem with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The structure reflects this sentiment, with the repetition of key phrases creating a rhythmic ebb and flow that mirrors the pulsing of memory and emotion. Noteworthy literary devices include the use of metaphor, as in "crush the lees of pleasure from sanguine grapes of pain" and "the heart of pleasure, the purpler blood of pain". These metaphors elevate the emotional intensity of the poem, portraying love and loss as both intoxicating and destructive. The poem’s use of paradox, through phrases such as “forget that I remember, and dream that I forget,” adds depth to the depiction of the struggle between clinging to past love and the need to move forward. Through these elements, the poem presents a poignant exploration of the enduring power of love and the pain of its demise.

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.