"When I Was One-and-Twenty" by A. E. Housman

 

When I Was One-and-Twenty

When I was one-and-twenty

I heard a wise man say,

“Give crowns and pounds and guineas

But not your heart away;

Give pearls away and rubies

But keep your fancy free.”

But I was one-and-twenty,

No use to talk to me.

 

When I was one-and-twenty

I heard him say again,

“The heart out of the bosom

Was never given in vain;

’Tis paid with sighs a plenty

And sold for endless rue.”

And I am two-and-twenty,

And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "When I Was One-and-Twenty"?

Alfred Edward Housman (March 26, 1859 - April 30, 1936)

 

Alfred Edward Housman, better known as A.E. Housman, was a renowned English classical scholar and poet. Despite his significant contributions to poetry, Housman actually spent most of his career as a Latin professor. His most famous work, "A Shropshire Lad," was initially self-published after several publishers rejected it, but it later gained popularity for its exploration of themes like youth, love, and mortality. Housman was known for his meticulousness and precision, often spending years perfecting individual poems.

"When I Was One-and-Twenty" explanation

"When I Was One-and-Twenty" by A.E. Housman is a cautionary tale about the folly of youthful love. The speaker, now 22, reflects on the advice he ignored a year earlier about not giving his heart away, only to realize its truth after experiencing heartbreak. This poem is part of Housman's collection "A Shropshire Lad," published in 1896, which explores themes of youth, love, and mortality, often set against the backdrop of the English countryside. The collection was not initially successful but gained popularity during the Boer War and World War I due to its exploration of young men's experiences.

"If Thou Must Love Me, let it be for nought" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 

If thou must love me, let it be for nought

If thou must love me, let it be for nought

Except for love's sake only. Do not say,

"I love her for her smile—her look—her way

Of speaking gently,—for a trick of thought

That falls in well with mine, and certes brought

A sense of pleasant ease on such a day"—

For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may

Be changed, or change for thee—and love, so wrought,

May be unwrought so. Neither love me for

Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry:

A creature might forget to weep, who bore

Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!

But love me for love's sake, that evermore

Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.

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poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "To George Sand: A Desire"?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (March 6, 1806 — June 29, 1861)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet of the Victorian era, famous in England and the U.S. during her lifetime. She was the eldest of 12 children and wrote poetry from 11. She was an avid reader and writer, and Shakespeare was her favorite. From 15, she suffered from frail health due to intense head and spinal pain and lung problems throughout her life. After her 1844 volume "Poems" had a great success, Robert Browning, an English poet and playwright, was inspired to write to her, praising her work. The two met in 1845, fell in love, and soon got married. Their special bond had an important influence on their respective subsequent writings. Her work also had a great influence on famous contemporary writers such as the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson.

"If Thou Must Love Me" explanation

In the poem, the speaker advocates for unconditional love. She urges her lover to love her not for her attributes or out of pity, as these can change or fade, but for love's sake alone. The poem underscores the idea of love as a constant, enduring force that exists independently of superficial or transient reasons.

"Beeny Cliff" by Thomas Hardy

 

Beeny Cliff 

I

O the opal and the sapphire of that wandering western sea,

And the woman riding high above with bright hair flapping free–

The woman whom I loved so, and who loyally loved me.

I I

The pale mews plained below us, and the waves seemed far away

In a nether sky, engrossed in saying their ceaseless babbling say,

As we laughed light-heartedly aloft on that clear-sunned March day.

III

A little cloud then cloaked us, and there flew an irised rain,

And the Atlantic dyed its levels with a dull misfeatured stain,

And then the sun burst out again, and purples prinked the main.

 

 

IV

—Still in all its chasmal beauty bulks old Beeny to the sky,

And shall she and I not go there once again now March is nigh,

And the sweet things said in that March say anew there by and by?

V

What if still in chasmal beauty looms that wild weird western shore,

The woman now is-elsewhere-whom the ambling pony bore,

And nor knows nor cares for Beeny, and will laugh there nevermore.

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poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "Beeny Cliff"?

Thomas Hardy (June 2, 1840 – January 11, 1928)

Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet. His father was a stonemason and local builder, and he trained and worked as an architect for ten years before beginning his successful writing career as a novelist in 1871. Later he left fiction writing for poetry and considered himself mainly as a poet. He was a Victorian realist, influenced by Romanticism, and his poetry often deals with cynical observations upon desolation of human condition. He had a strong influence on later poets such as Robert Frost, Dylan Thomas, and Philip Larkin.

"Beeny Cliff" explanation

In the poem, the speaker recalls his memories of good times of him and his lover, who is no longer with him. Hardy met his first wife Emma in Cornwell in 1870, fell in love, and married in 1874. They became estranged, and Emma died in 1912 at the age of 72. Her death had a traumatic effect on Hardy, and he revisited places related to their relationship in Cornwell. He wrote this poem in 1913 about their visit to Beeny cliff in March 1870, when they were still in love, more than 40 years later.

"The Sorrow of Love" by William Butler Yeats

 

The Sorrow of Love

The brawling of a sparrow in the eaves,

The brilliant moon and all the milky sky,

And all that famous harmony of leaves,

Had blotted out man's image and his cry.

 

A girl arose that had red mournful lips

And seemed the greatness of the world in tears,

Doomed like Odysseus and the labouring ships

And proud as Priam murdered with his peers;

 

Arose, and on the instant clamorous eaves,

A climbing moon upon an empty sky,

And all that lamentation of the leaves,

Could but compose man's image and his cry.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/RnquS7-AnDo

Who wrote the poem "The Sorrow of Love"?

William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 – January 28, 1939)

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, playwright, prose writer, and is widely considered as one of the greatest poets of the 20^th century. He was born to the Protestant, Anglo-Irish community that considered themselves English people born in Ireland and had largely controlled the economic, political, and social life of Ireland. However, Yeats strongly affirmed his Irish nationality and found inspiration in Irish legends and the occult in his early career. Later his poetry became more physical and realistic. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. 

"The Sorrow of Love" explanation

In the poem, the speaker brilliantly describes the transition from seemingly calm and beautiful imagery of nature to a gloomy and somber mood with the introduction of human sorrow and pain using tragic mythical imagery. This poem is about Maud Gonne, the poet’s life-long subject of unrequited love.

"Clenched Soul" by Pablo Neruda

 

Clenched Soul

We have lost even this twilight.

No one saw us this evening hand in hand

while the blue night dropped on the world.

 

I have seen from my window

the fiesta of sunset in the distant mountain tops.

 

Sometimes a piece of sun

burned like a coin in my hand.

 

I remembered you with my soul clenched

in that sadness of mine that you know.

 

Where were you then?

Who else was there?

Saying what?

Why will the whole of love come on me suddenly

when I am sad and feel you are far away?

 

The book fell that always closed at twilight

and my blue sweater rolled like a hurt dog at my feet.

 

Always, always you recede through the evenings

toward the twilight erasing statues.

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poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "Clenched Soul"?

Pablo Neruda (July 12, 1904 – September 23, 1973)

Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet and politician who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He wrote in various styles, including surrealist poems and passionate love poems. After Neruda experienced Spanish Civil War as a diplomat in Spain, he became a devoted Communist for the rest of his life. Neruda is often called one of the greatest poets of the 20^th century.

"Clenched Soul" explanation

In the poem, the speaker expresses deep feelings of loneliness and sorrow due to perhaps being far away from his love. His passionate love gives him so much pain because she is not there with him and might be somewhere else far away with someone else.

"Down by The Salley Gardens" by William Butler Yeats

Down by The Salley Gardens

Down by the salley gardens

my love and I did meet;

She passed the salley gardens

with little snow-white feet.

She bid me take love easy,

as the leaves grow on the tree;

But I, being young and foolish,

with her would not agree.

 

In a field by the river

my love and I did stand,

And on my leaning shoulder

she laid her snow-white hand.

She bid me take life easy,

as the grass grows on the weirs;

But I was young and foolish,

and now am full of tears.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video 👇

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Who wrote the poem "Down by The Salley Gardens"?

William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 – January 28, 1939)

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, playwright, prose writer, and is widely considered as one of the greatest poets of the 20^th century. He was born to the Protestant, Anglo-Irish community that considered themselves English people born in Ireland and had largely controlled the economic, political, and social life of Ireland. However, Yeats strongly affirmed his Irish nationality and found inspiration in Irish legends and the occult in his early career. Later his poetry became more physical and realistic. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. 

"Down by The Salley Gardens" explanation

The speaker recalls a time when he and his love were together by the salley gardens, but now she is gone and he is left with only the memories. Yeats adapted an old Irish folk song and created this melancholic and nostalgic poem. The original title of the poem was “An Old Song Re-Sung” when it was first published in 1889 and later was changed into the present title when it was reprinted in 1895. The poem has been set to music by several composers, including Benjamin Britten, and is often performed as a song. The poem is a good example of Yeats' early use of traditional Irish imagery and themes.

"Sweet Rose Of Virtue" by William Dunbar

 

Sweet Rose Of Virtue

Sweet rose of virtue and of gentleness,

delightful lily of youthful wantonness,

richest in bounty and in beauty clear

and in every virtue that is held most dear―

except only that you are merciless.

 

Into your garden, today, I followed you;

there I saw flowers of freshest hue,

both white and red, delightful to see,

and wholesome herbs, waving resplendently―

yet nowhere, one leaf or flower of rue.

 

I fear that March with his last arctic blast

has slain my fair rose of pallid and gentle cast,

whose piteous death does my heart such pain

that, if I could, I would compose her roots again―

so comforting her bowering leaves have been.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/TRtUFJFHr0w

Who wrote the poem "Sweet Rose Of Virtue"?

William Dunbar (1459 or 1460 – 1530)

William Dunbar was a Scottish court poet, closely associated with King James IV. He produced more than 100 poems and is regarded as the greatest among Scottish court poets.

"Sweet Rose Of Virtue" explanation

In the poem, the speaker describes various positive character traits and beauty of a woman. His love for this woman, however, somehow changes into painful disappointment, so deep as to make her look dead.

"I Travelled among Unknown Men" by William Wordsworth

 

I Travelled among Unknown Men

I travelled among unknown men,

In lands beyond the sea;

Nor, England! did I know till then

What love I bore to thee.

 

'Tis past, that melancholy dream!

Nor will I quit thy shore

A second time; for still I seem

To love thee more and more.

 

Among thy mountains did I feel

The joy of my desire;

And she I cherished turned her wheel

Beside an English fire.

 

Thy mornings showed, thy nights concealed,

The bowers where Lucy played;

And thine too is the last green field

That Lucy's eyes surveyed.

 

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/uNuhEhGc7Mg

Who wrote the poem "I Travelled among Unknown Men"?

William Wordsworth  (April 7, 1770 – April 23, 1850)

William Wordsworth was an English poet who pioneered the Romantic Movement with his close friend and fellow poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He famously defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Using the ordinary language “really used by men,” he wrote beautiful poetry with sweet imagery, often based around the natural world. He suffered from depression, which was reflected in somber undertones in his poems. He was the Poet Laureate for Queen Victoria from 1843 until his death from pleurisy in 1850.

"I Travelled among Unknown Men" explanation

In the poem, the speaker realizes how much he loves his country, England, after spending time abroad and vows never to leave her again. His love for England is intertwined with his love for Lucy (presumably his beloved) and her memories, who perhaps died and no longer with him (“That Lucy’s eyes surveyed”). This poem was written in 1801 after the poet spent time in Germany. It was the third of the poet’s 5-poem Lucy series, where the speaker mourns his beloved Lucy. Whether this mysterious Lucy was a real person or, if so, who she was is unclear.

"Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" by Thomas Moore

 

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms

 

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,

Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,

Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,

Live fairy-gifts fading away,

Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,

Let thy loveliness fade as it will,

And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart

Would entwine itself verdantly still.

 

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,

And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,

That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known,

To which time will but make thee more dear!

No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,

But as truly loves on to the close,

As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets

The same look which she turned when he rose!

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/ShvkR8cLt9g

Who wrote the poem "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms"?

Thomas Moore (May 28, 1779 – February 25, 1852)

 

Thomas Moore was an Irish writer, poet, composer, lyricist, and political propagandist. He was known for bringing popular Irish culture to English audience by setting English verse to old Irish tunes. He was a close friend of Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was also famous for burning Byron’s memoirs (with the publisher John Murray), presumably to protect Byron.

"Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" explanation

In the poem, the speaker reassures his beloved that his love will go on through time and misfortune. It was written as a song lyric for a traditional Irish melody. Some believe that it was directed toward Moore’s wife, who suffered from smallpox.