The Blessed
By William Butler Yeats
Cumhal called out, bending his head,
Till Dathi came and stood,
With a blink in his eyes, at the cave-mouth,
Between the wind and the wood.
And Cumhal said, bending his knees,
'I have come by the windy way
And learn to pray when you pray.'
'I can bring you salmon out of the streams
And heron out of the skies.'
But Dathi folded his hands and smiled
With the secrets of God in his eyes.
And Cumhal saw like a drifting smoke
All manner of blessed souls,
Women and children, young men with books,
And old men with croziers and stoles.
'Praise God and God’s Mother,’ Dathi said,
'For God and God’s Mother have sent
The blessedest souls that walk in the world
To fill your heart with content.'
'And which is the blessedest,' Cumhal said,
'Where all are comely and good?
Is it these that with golden thuribles
Are singing about the wood?'
'My eyes are blinking,' Dathi said,
'With the secrets of God half blind,
But I can see where the wind goes
And follow the way of the wind'
'And blessedness goes where the wind goes,
And when it is gone we are dead'
I see the blessedest soul in the world
And he nods a drunken head.
'O blessedness comes in the night and the day
And whither the wise heart knows'
And one has seen in the redness of wine
The Incorruptible Rose,
'That drowsily drops faint leaves on him
And the sweetness of desire,
While time and the world are ebbing away
In twilights of dew and of fire.'
Till Dathi came and stood,
With a blink in his eyes, at the cave-mouth,
Between the wind and the wood.
And Cumhal said, bending his knees,
'I have come by the windy way
And learn to pray when you pray.'
'I can bring you salmon out of the streams
And heron out of the skies.'
But Dathi folded his hands and smiled
With the secrets of God in his eyes.
And Cumhal saw like a drifting smoke
All manner of blessed souls,
Women and children, young men with books,
And old men with croziers and stoles.
'Praise God and God’s Mother,’ Dathi said,
'For God and God’s Mother have sent
The blessedest souls that walk in the world
To fill your heart with content.'
'And which is the blessedest,' Cumhal said,
'Where all are comely and good?
Is it these that with golden thuribles
Are singing about the wood?'
'My eyes are blinking,' Dathi said,
'With the secrets of God half blind,
But I can see where the wind goes
And follow the way of the wind'
'And blessedness goes where the wind goes,
And when it is gone we are dead'
I see the blessedest soul in the world
And he nods a drunken head.
'O blessedness comes in the night and the day
And whither the wise heart knows'
And one has seen in the redness of wine
The Incorruptible Rose,
'That drowsily drops faint leaves on him
And the sweetness of desire,
While time and the world are ebbing away
In twilights of dew and of fire.'
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, explores themes of spirituality, divine revelation, and the quest for blessedness in his poem "The Blessed." In this analysis article, we will delve into Yeats' intricate verses and their underlying spiritual significance.
- A Meeting of Souls: The poem opens with Cumhal seeking the guidance of Dathi, who possesses a deeper understanding of spirituality. This encounter signifies a meeting of souls, where one seeks wisdom and the other imparts it. Cumhal's bent head symbolizes humility and a readiness to receive spiritual insights.
- The Windy Way: Cumhal mentions that he has come "by the windy way," suggesting a spiritual journey marked by challenges and uncertainties. This journey may parallel the spiritual quests of individuals seeking enlightenment and divine connection.
- Learning to Pray: Cumhal expresses a desire to learn how to pray from Dathi. This request implies a longing to connect with the divine and attain a state of blessedness through prayer and spiritual practice. Dathi's guidance will lead Cumhal toward a deeper understanding of faith.
- Nature's Abundance: Dathi boasts of his ability to provide sustenance from nature, such as salmon from streams and heron from the skies. This emphasizes the connection between the natural world and spirituality, suggesting that God's blessings are present in the abundance of the earth.
- Blessed Souls: Cumhal is greeted by a vision of blessed souls, representing individuals who have attained a state of spiritual grace. These souls encompass a diverse range, from women and children to learned scholars and clergy. Yeats underscores the idea that spiritual blessedness transcends age, gender, and occupation.
- The Secrets of God: Dathi, with his "secrets of God" in his eyes, embodies spiritual insight and divine wisdom. His peaceful smile hints at his deep spiritual contentment and understanding of divine mysteries. Dathi serves as a spiritual mentor, guiding Cumhal toward enlightenment.
- The Blessedest Soul: Cumhal inquires about the "blessedest" soul among the gathered. This question reflects a quest for deeper spiritual knowledge and the desire to identify the most enlightened soul in the assembly. The response will shed light on what defines true blessedness.
- The Way of the Wind: Dathi, with his mystical vision, equates blessedness with following the path of the wind. This metaphor suggests that blessedness is elusive and ever-changing, just like the wind's course. It requires a wise heart to discern and follow.
- The Incorruptible Rose: In a state of spiritual insight, Dathi speaks of an "Incorruptible Rose" seen in the redness of wine. This imagery alludes to a divine revelation—a glimpse of eternity in the transient beauty of life. It symbolizes the ultimate spiritual experience, where time and worldly concerns fade away.
"The Blessed" by W.B. Yeats is a profound exploration of spirituality and the pursuit of blessedness. Through Cumhal's encounter with Dathi and the assembly of blessed souls, Yeats delves into themes of divine revelation, the wisdom of spiritual mentors, and the ever-changing nature of blessedness. The poem encourages readers to seek spiritual understanding and recognize the divine in the ordinary, ultimately guiding them on their own spiritual journeys.