Verses on Various Occasions · Chapter
Monks explained
The poet responds to a cousin's request for verses, reflecting on the nature of monks in the olden time.
What happens
The poet responds to a cousin's request for verses, reflecting on the nature of monks in the olden time. He contrasts the romanticized view of monks as rhymesters and visionaries with the harsh reality of their lives of vigils, fasts, and penance. Their joy and song are born from suffering and solitude, and the poet finds a personal affinity with the monastic garb as a protective symbol.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Humility
The poem emphasizes that monks learned stern lessons through vigils, fasts, and penance, and that their soul-ennobling gain came from 'joys wrought out by pain.'
The Church and Tradition
Monks are described as living 'in the Church’s kindly-sheltering fold,' and their lives are tied to the hallowed aisle and cloister, reflecting the tradition of monasticism.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The poet who addresses his cousin and reflects on the monastic life.
- The Friars
Monks of the olden time, depicted as rhymesters in Latin, living secretly in the Church's fold, and learning through vigils, fasts, and penance.
Key passages
“Monks in the olden time, “They were rhymesters?”— they were rhymesters, but in Latin rhyme.”
People ask if monks in the past were poets, and indeed they were, but they wrote in Latin.
The poet acknowledges the historical fact of monastic Latin poetry while setting up a contrast with popular notions.
“No! a lesson stern First by vigils, fast, and penance theirs it was to learn. This their soul-ennobling gain, Joys wrought out by pain.”
Instead, they first learned a harsh lesson through staying awake, fasting, and doing penance. This was how they gained nobility of soul, finding joy that came from suffering.
The poet corrects the romantic view, emphasizing the ascetic discipline that underlay monastic spirituality.
“Grey his cowlèd vest, Whose strong heart has pledged his service to the cloister blest. Duly garb’d is he, As the frost-work gems the branches of yon stately tree. ’Tis a danger-thwarting spell, And it fits me well!”
His grey hooded garment belongs to one whose strong heart has committed to the blessed cloister. He is properly dressed, like frost adorning a tree's branches. This habit is a protective charm against danger, and it suits me well!
The poet describes the monastic habit as both a fitting attire and a spiritual protection, and he personally identifies with it.