Poetry · Chapter
Apologia explained
The speaker questions whether Love wills him to suffer and fail, but ultimately affirms that he has not hardened his heart, has known Beauty, and has experienced the transcendent Love that moves the universe.
What happens
The speaker questions whether Love wills him to suffer and fail, but ultimately affirms that he has not hardened his heart, has known Beauty, and has experienced the transcendent Love that moves the universe.
Themes in this chapter
Beauty and Aesthetics
The speaker asserts he has not walked where Beauty is unknown and has stood face to face with Beauty.
Love and Loss
The poem explores the pain and joy of being beloved, walking hand in hand with Love, and enduring passion's torment.
Characters to notice
- Love
Addressed directly as the beloved force that may will the speaker's suffering, yet also the source of transcendent experience.
Key passages
“Is it thy will that I should wax and wane, Barter my cloth of gold for hodden grey, And at thy pleasure weave that web of pain Whose brightest threads are each a wasted day?”
Do you intend for me to diminish, exchange my riches for poverty, and create a life of suffering where even the best moments are wasted?
The speaker questions whether Love wills him to trade prosperity for pain.
“Nay, if it be thy will I shall endure, And sell ambition at the common mart, And let dull failure be my vestiture, And sorrow dig its grave within my heart.”
No, if it is your will, I will endure, give up my ambitions in the ordinary marketplace, wear failure as my clothing, and let sorrow bury itself in my heart.
The speaker accepts suffering as Love's will.
“But surely it is something to have been The best belovèd for a little while, To have walked hand in hand with Love, and seen His purple wings flit once across thy smile.”
Yet it must count for something to have been the most loved for a brief time, to have walked with Love and glimpsed his purple wings in your smile.
The speaker finds value in having experienced Love's favor, however fleeting.
“Ay! though the gorgèd asp of passion feed On my boy’s heart, yet have I burst the bars, Stood face to face with Beauty, known indeed The Love which moves the Sun and all the stars!”
Yes! Even though passion's serpent feeds on my youthful heart, I have broken free, confronted Beauty directly, and truly known the Love that moves the sun and stars.
The speaker affirms that despite inner torment, he has achieved a transcendent vision of Beauty and cosmic Love.