Orbler
Byron Twain
Brenton
Dexter
Jeanne Dininni
Shilpa KarhikAlexander Pope - Solitude: An Ode
May 6th 2006 00:20
Alexander Pope was an eighteenth-century English poet, most famous for writing An Essay on Criticism and The Rape of the Lock. He was also a respected translator, and his translations the Iliad and the Odyssey were successful enough that he could live off the profits. Like Shakespeare, he coined several phrases which have entered common use, such as "A little learning is a dangerous thing" and "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread".
Pope had a spinal disease which prevented him from ever growing taller than 4'6", and died fairly young, at the age of 56. He's not known for being especially misanthropic, but the following poem shows a desire to escape from society's pressures and be self-sufficient. I found two versions of this poem--one version begins "Happy the man, whose wish and care/A few paternal acres bound/Content to breathe his native air/
In his own ground". I'm not sure of the reason for this, or whether one version is correct and the other isn't, but the one I've chosen is the version I prefer. If anyone can shed any light on this I'd appreciate it!
SOLITUDE: AN ODE
by Alexander Pope
How happy he, who free from care
The rage of courts, and noise of towns;
Contented breathes his native air,
In his own grounds.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me dye;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.
Pope had a spinal disease which prevented him from ever growing taller than 4'6", and died fairly young, at the age of 56. He's not known for being especially misanthropic, but the following poem shows a desire to escape from society's pressures and be self-sufficient. I found two versions of this poem--one version begins "Happy the man, whose wish and care/A few paternal acres bound/Content to breathe his native air/
In his own ground". I'm not sure of the reason for this, or whether one version is correct and the other isn't, but the one I've chosen is the version I prefer. If anyone can shed any light on this I'd appreciate it!
SOLITUDE: AN ODE
by Alexander Pope
How happy he, who free from care
The rage of courts, and noise of towns;
Contented breathes his native air,
In his own grounds.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me dye;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lye.
Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744)
| 57 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Sara