Poetry · Chapter
XXXV: Hesperus explained
A lyrical poem invoking Hesperus, the evening star, as a guide through the summer night toward a mythical garden of delight, peace, and dreams.
What happens
A lyrical poem invoking Hesperus, the evening star, as a guide through the summer night toward a mythical garden of delight, peace, and dreams. The speaker expresses a longing to follow Hesperus across the western sea to a realm of eternal twilight and rest, where the star's daughters guard a golden tree and an old dragon stirs in joy. The chapter culminates in a desire to find one's heart's delight beyond the western horizon.
Themes in this chapter
The Search for Meaning
The speaker's quest to follow Hesperus to a garden of delight symbolizes a search for purpose and heart's desire.
Illusion vs. Reality
The idealized, dreamlike realm of Hesperus contrasts with the waking world, suggesting a tension between fantasy and truth.
Characters to notice
- Dymer
The speaker of the poem, yearning to follow Hesperus to a place of peace and fulfillment.
Key passages
“Through the starry hollow / Of the summer night / I would follow, follow / Hesperus the bright, / To seek beyond the western wave / His garden of delight.”
I would travel through the starry summer night to follow the bright evening star, hoping to find its mythical garden beyond the western sea.
Opening stanza expressing the speaker's desire to pursue Hesperus to a place of beauty and joy.
“And while the old, old dragon / For joy lifts up his head, / They bring thee forth a flagon / Of nectar foaming red, / And underneath the drowsy trees / Of poppies strew thy bed.”
The ancient dragon raises its head in happiness, and the daughters offer Hesperus a cup of red nectar, then prepare a bed beneath poppy trees for rest.
Imagery of the dragon and daughters welcoming Hesperus to a realm of peace and intoxication.
“Ah! that I could follow / In thy footsteps bright, / Through the starry hollow / Of the summer night, / Sloping down the western ways / To find my heart’s delight!”
If only I could follow your shining path through the summer night, descending westward to discover what my heart truly desires.
Final stanza reiterating the longing to reach a place of ultimate fulfillment.