Gastibelza (Poem by Victor Hugo)

Gastibelza

By Victor Hugo

Gastibelza, with gun the measure beating,

        Would often sing:

"Has one o' ye with sweet Sabine been meeting,

        As, gay, ye bring

Your songs and steps which, by the music,

        Are reconciled — 

Oh! this chill wind across the mountain rushing

        Will drive me wild!

"You stare as though you hardly knew my lady — 

        Sabine's her name!

Her dam inhabits yonder cavern shady,

        A witch of shame,

Who shrieks o' nights upon the Haunted Tower,

        With horrors piled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"Sing on and leap — enjoying all the favors

        Good heaven sends;

She, too, was young — her lips had peachy savors

        With honey blends;

Give to that hag — not always old — a penny,

        Though crime-defiled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"The queen beside her looked a wench uncomely,

        When, near to-night,

She proudly stalked a-past the maids so homely,

        In bodice tight

And collar old as reign of wicked Julian,

        By fiend beguiled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"The king himself proclaimed her peerless beauty

        Before the court,

And held it were to win a kiss his duty

        To give a fort,

Or, more, to sign away all bright Dorado,

        Tho' gold-plate tiled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"Love her? at least, I know I am most lonely

        Without her nigh;

I'm but a hound to follow her, and only

        At her feet die.

I'd gayly spend of toilsome years a dozen — 

        A felon styled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"One summer day when long—so long? I'd missed her,

        She came anew,

To play i' the fount alone but for her sister,

        And bared to view

The finest, rosiest, most tempting ankle,

        Like that of child — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"When I beheld her, I — a lowly shepherd — 

        Grew in my mind

Till I was Caesar — she that crownèd leopard

        He crouched behind,

No Roman stern, but in her silken leashes

        A captive mild — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"Yet dance and sing, tho' night be thickly falling; — 

        In selfsame time

Poor Sabine heard in ecstasy the calling,

        In winning rhyme,

Of Saldane's earl so noble, ay, and wealthy,

        Name e'er reviled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"(Let me upon this bench be shortly resting,

        So weary, I!)

That noble bore her smiling, unresisting,

        By yonder high

And ragged road that snakes towards the summit

        Where crags are piled — 

Oh! this chill wind, etc.

"I saw her pass beside my lofty station — 

        A glance — 'twas all!

And yet I loathe my daily honest ration,

        The air's turned gall!

My soul's in chase, my body chafes to wander — 

        My dagger's filed — 

Oh! this chill wind may change, and o'er the mountain

        May drive me wild!"

Poem Analysis:

Victor Hugo's poem "Gastibelza" is a dramatic and evocative piece of Romantic poetry that explores themes of love, desire, longing, and the captivating power of beauty. The poem is presented as a monologue by the titular character, Gastibelza, who is deeply enamored with a woman named Sabine. This analysis delves into the poem's structure, themes, and the emotions it conveys.

Structure and Form:

"Gastibelza" is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, a literary technique often used to reveal a character's inner thoughts and emotions.

Themes:

Unrequited Love: The central theme of the poem is Gastibelza's unrequited love for Sabine. He is deeply infatuated with her beauty and presence but is painfully aware that she does not share the same feelings for him. His love is passionate and intense, bordering on obsession.

Desire and Longing: Gastibelza's desire for Sabine is palpable in the poem. He longs for her affection and companionship, and his longing is expressed through vivid imagery and emotional language.

Beauty's Power: The poem explores the captivating power of beauty. Sabine's beauty is so enchanting that it has a transformative effect on those who behold her, including Gastibelza himself. Beauty is portrayed as a force that can drive individuals to great extremes.

Analysis:

1. Character of Gastibelza: Gastibelza is portrayed as a passionate and somewhat tormented character. He is consumed by his love for Sabine and describes his emotions with fervor. His monologue reveals his inner turmoil and his sense of hopelessness in winning Sabine's love.
2. Sabine's Beauty: Sabine is depicted as an exceptionally beautiful and alluring woman. Gastibelza's descriptions of her beauty are vivid and sensual, emphasizing the profound impact her appearance has on him. Her beauty is almost mythical, capable of turning ordinary men into passionate admirers.
3. Imagery and Sensory Language: The poem is rich in sensory language and imagery. It evokes a sense of place and atmosphere, particularly in lines describing the mountainous setting. The use of words like "wind," "cavern," and "fountain" contributes to the overall sensory experience of the poem.
4. Shift in Perspective: The poem takes an interesting shift in perspective towards the end. Gastibelza's longing and desire for Sabine are so intense that he contemplates the possibility of her reciprocating his feelings. However, as the poem progresses, he seems to resign himself to the fact that Sabine's beauty and charm belong to another man, the "Saldane's earl."
5. Repetition and Emphasis: The phrase "Oh! this chill wind across the mountain rushing / Will drive me wild!" is repeated several times throughout the poem, underscoring Gastibelza's emotional turmoil and the idea that his unrequited love is tormenting him.

In conclusion, "Gastibelza" by Victor Hugo is a passionate and emotionally charged dramatic monologue that explores the themes of unrequited love, desire, and the power of beauty. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem captures Gastibelza's intense feelings for Sabine and his sense of longing and despair. It stands as a testament to the Romantic tradition of expressing deep emotions through poetry and remains a striking portrayal of the human experience of love and desire.