Upon A Dying Lady (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

Upon A Dying Lady

By William Butler Yeats

I / Her Courtesy

WITH the old kindness, the old distinguished grace,

She lies, her lovely piteous head amid dull red hair

Propped upon pillows, rouge on the pallor of her face.

She would not have us sad because she is lying there,

And when she meets our gaze her eyes are laughter-lit,

Her speech a wicked tale that we may vie with her,

Matching our broken-hearted wit against her wit,

Thinking of saints and of Petronius Arbiter.

II / Certain Artist Bring Her Dolls and Drawings

Bring where our Beauty lies

A new modelled doll, or drawing,

With a friend’s or an enemy’s

Features, or maybe showing

Her features when a trees

Of dull red hair was flowing

Over some silken dress

Cut in the Turkish fashion,

Or, it may be, like a boy’s.

We have given the world our passion,

We have naught for death but toys.

III / She turns the Dolls’ Faces to the Wall

Because to-day is some religious festival

They had a priest say Mass, and even the Japanese,

Heel up and weight on toe, must face the wall

— Pedant in passion, learned in old courtesies,

Vehement and witty she had seemed — ; the Venetian lady

Who had seemed to glide to some intrigue in her red shoes,

Her domino, her panniered skirt copied from Longhi;

The meditative critic; all are on their toes,

Even our Beauty with her Turkish trousers on.

Because the priest must have like every dog his day

Or keep us all awake with baying at the moon,

We and our dolls being but the world were best away.

IV / The End of Day

She is playing like a child

And penance is the play,

Fantastical and wild

Because the end of day

Shows her that some one soon

Will come from the house, and say —

Though play is but half done —

‘Come in and leave the play.’

V / Her Race

She has not grown uncivil

As narrow natures would

And called the pleasures evil

Happier days thought good;

She knows herself a woman,

No red and white of a face,

Or rank, raised from a common

Vnreckonable race;

And how should her heart fail her

Or sickness break her will

With her dead brother’s valour

For an example still?

VI / Her Courage

When her soul flies to the predestined dancing-place

(I have no speech but symbol, the pagan speech I made

Amid the dreams of youth) let her come face to face,

Amid that first astonishment, with Grania’s shade,

All but the terrors of the woodland flight forgot

That made her Diarmuid dear, and some old cardinal

Pacing with half-closed eyelids in a sunny spot

Who had murmured of Giorgione at his latest breath —

Aye, and Achilles, Timor, Babar, Barhaim, all

Who have lived in joy and laughed into the face of Death.

VII / Her Friends Bring her a Christmas Tree

Ppardon, great enemy,

Without an angry thought

We’ve carried in our tree,

And here and there have bought

Till all the boughs are gay,

And she may look from the bed

On pretty things that may

Please a fantastic head.

Give her a little grace,

What if a laughing eye

Have looked into your face?

It is about to die.

Poem Analysis:

William Butler Yeats' poem, "Upon A Dying Lady," is a moving and contemplative exploration of a woman's final moments, her enduring beauty, and her unyielding spirit in the face of death. Through a series of carefully crafted stanzas, the poem delves into the complex emotions of the woman and those who surround her, touching upon themes of courtesy, art, courage, and the transient nature of life. In this analysis, we will dissect the layers of meaning within this elegiac poem.

I / Her Courtesy: The opening stanza presents the dying lady with a sense of grace and dignity. Despite her illness, she retains her beauty and poise, which she shares with those around her. The image of her "lovely piteous head" framed by "dull red hair" evokes a sense of fragile beauty in the face of mortality. Her insistence on maintaining a cheerful demeanor reflects her determination not to burden others with her suffering. The reference to "Petronius Arbiter" hints at her appreciation for art and wit, emphasizing her cultured nature.

II / Certain Artist Bring Her Dolls and Drawings: The second stanza introduces the idea of memory and art as a way to preserve one's essence. Friends bring her "dolls and drawings" that capture her features, allowing her to live on through artistic representation. This suggests a desire for immortality through art and the idea that the essence of a person can endure beyond physical existence.

III / She turns the Dolls’ Faces to the Wall: The third stanza takes a poignant turn as the lady turns the faces of the dolls against the wall. This action symbolizes her desire to shield herself from the impending intrusion of religious rituals and the presence of others during a religious festival. It also hints at her wish for privacy and a sense of autonomy over her own space.

IV / The End of Day: In this stanza, the poem alludes to the lady's childlike playfulness. She engages in playful activities like a child, finding solace and distraction in them. The impending arrival of someone from the house signifies the end of her play, a reminder of the inevitable intrusion of death into her life.

V / Her Race: The fifth stanza reflects on the lady's sense of identity and heritage. She acknowledges her uniqueness as a woman and recognizes the value of her individuality within the context of her own race. Her inner strength and resilience are drawn from her understanding of her own heritage and the inspiration she draws from her deceased brother.

VI / Her Courage: The sixth stanza hints at the lady's courage in the face of death. She is described as flying to a "dancing-place," symbolizing her transition from life to an afterlife filled with joy and celebration. The poem invokes the shades of Grania and other legendary figures, suggesting that she will be welcomed into a realm of eternal happiness.

VII / Her Friends Bring her a Christmas Tree: The final stanza presents a touching scene where the lady's friends bring her a Christmas tree. Despite her impending death, they attempt to bring joy into her life with decorations and festivities. However, the stanza also reminds the reader of the lady's frailty, as she is about to die.

"Upon A Dying Lady" by W.B. Yeats is a profoundly moving exploration of beauty, courage, and mortality. Through its carefully crafted stanzas, the poem encapsulates the complexities of a woman facing death with grace and dignity. It touches upon themes of art, identity, and the enduring spirit of humanity in the face of life's greatest challenge. Yeats' elegant and thought-provoking verses invite readers to contemplate the beauty of human resilience and the significance of cherishing life's fleeting moments.