Come clear of the nets of wrong and right;
Laugh, heart, again in the grey twilight,
Sigh, heart, again in the dew of the morn.
Your mother Eire is aways young,
Dew ever shining and twilight grey;
Though hope fall from you and love decay,
Burning in fires of a slanderous tongue.
Come, heart, where hill is heaped upon hill:
For there the mystical brotherhood
Of sun and moon and hollow and wood
And river and stream work out their will;
And God stands winding His lonely horn,
And time and the world are ever in flight;
And love is less kind than the grey twilight,
And hope is less dear than the dew of the morn.
Poem Analysis:
"Into the Twilight" by William Butler Yeats is a reflective and introspective poem that explores themes of weariness, renewal, and the eternal cycle of nature. Through evocative imagery and lyrical language, Yeats invites readers to contemplate the complexities of life and the enduring presence of beauty and solace amid its challenges.
Weariness and Renewal: The poem opens with the speaker addressing an "out-worn heart" that is burdened by the complexities of right and wrong. The heart is urged to break free from the entanglements of moral judgments and embrace a sense of liberation and renewal. The repetition of "Laugh, heart, again" and "Sigh, heart, again" suggests a cycle of emotional release and rejuvenation, symbolizing the perpetual rhythm of human experience.
Eternal Youth of Eire: Yeats personifies Ireland as "your mother Eire," portraying her as perpetually youthful and resilient. Despite the trials and tribulations faced by the nation, represented metaphorically as "hope fall[ing] from you and love decay[ing]," Ireland remains vibrant and enduring. The imagery of "Dew ever shining and twilight grey" evokes a sense of timeless beauty and resilience, emphasizing Ireland's enduring spirit amid adversity.
Mystical Brotherhood of Nature: The speaker calls upon the heart to seek solace in the natural world, where the mystical forces of sun, moon, hills, woods, and rivers converge. These elements symbolize the interconnectedness of all life and the cyclical nature of existence. The reference to "God winding His lonely horn" suggests a divine presence overseeing the unfolding of time and the eternal dance of creation and destruction.
Transience of Love and Hope: Despite the beauty and harmony of the natural world, the speaker acknowledges the fleeting nature of human emotions. Love is described as "less kind than the grey twilight," highlighting its impermanence and vulnerability to external forces. Similarly, hope is depicted as "less dear than the dew of the morn," suggesting that optimism may wane in the face of life's uncertainties.
Themes of Time and Transcendence: "Into the Twilight" explores themes of time, mortality, and transcendence. The poem contemplates the fleeting nature of human existence against the backdrop of eternal natural cycles. The twilight symbolizes the liminal space between day and night, life and death, where the human spirit seeks solace and renewal amidst the uncertainties of life.
"Into the Twilight" by William Butler Yeats is a poignant meditation on the complexities of human experience and the enduring beauty of the natural world. Through rich imagery and lyrical language, Yeats explores themes of weariness, resilience, and the eternal cycle of life and death. The poem invites readers to embrace the transformative power of nature and find solace in the midst of life's uncertainties.