Song of Love
By Victor Hugo
If there be a velvet sward
By dewdrops pearly drest,
Where through all seasons fairies guard
Flowers by bees carest,
Where one may gather, day and night,
Roses, honeysuckle, lily white,
I fain would make of it a site
For thy foot to rest.
If there be a loving heart
Where Honor rules the breast,
Loyal and true in every part,
That changes ne'er molest,
Eager to run its noble race,
Intent to do some work of grace,
I fain would make of it a place
For thy brow to rest.
And if there be of love a dream
Rose-scented as the west,
Which shows, each time it comes, a gleam, —
A something sweet and blest, —
A dream of which heaven is the pole,
A dream that mingles soul and soul,
I fain of it would make the goal
Where thy mind should rest.
By dewdrops pearly drest,
Where through all seasons fairies guard
Flowers by bees carest,
Where one may gather, day and night,
Roses, honeysuckle, lily white,
I fain would make of it a site
For thy foot to rest.
If there be a loving heart
Where Honor rules the breast,
Loyal and true in every part,
That changes ne'er molest,
Eager to run its noble race,
Intent to do some work of grace,
I fain would make of it a place
For thy brow to rest.
And if there be of love a dream
Rose-scented as the west,
Which shows, each time it comes, a gleam, —
A something sweet and blest, —
A dream of which heaven is the pole,
A dream that mingles soul and soul,
I fain of it would make the goal
Where thy mind should rest.
Poem Analysis:
Victor Hugo's "Song of Love" is a lyrical and romantic poem that explores the idealization of love and the desire to create perfect sanctuaries for a beloved. Through its rich imagery and tender tone, the poem articulates a deep yearning to offer a beloved the ultimate experiences of beauty, loyalty, and dreamlike bliss.
Theme and Content
The central theme of "Song of Love" is the idealization of love and the speaker's wish to provide their beloved with perfect, harmonious spaces. The poem reflects on the nature of love and the speaker's aspiration to create ideal conditions for their beloved’s comfort and happiness.
- Perfect Sanctuary of Beauty: The poem begins with a vision of an idealized natural setting: "If there be a velvet sward / By dewdrops pearly drest." This image evokes a lush, pristine landscape where fairies guard flowers and bees tend to them. The speaker's desire to make this site a place for the beloved's foot to rest suggests a wish to offer the most beautiful and serene environment for their beloved.
- Place of Honor and Loyalty: The poem then shifts to the notion of a heart governed by honor and loyalty: "If there be a loving heart / Where Honor rules the breast." Here, the speaker imagines a place characterized by steadfastness and integrity, where one’s actions are noble and true. The speaker’s wish to make such a heart a resting place for their beloved’s brow signifies a desire to provide not only physical comfort but also emotional and moral security.
- Dream of Love: Finally, the poem presents a vision of a dream of love, "Rose-scented as the west," which symbolizes a perfect, idealized vision of romantic bliss: "A dream of which heaven is the pole." The speaker yearns to make this dream the ultimate destination where their beloved’s mind can find rest. This imagery conveys the deep longing to create a sublime and transcendent experience of love, where souls are perfectly intertwined.
Imagery and Tone
The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, using descriptions of natural beauty, honor, and dreams to convey the speaker’s idealistic vision of love. The "velvet sward," "dewdrops pearly drest," and "rose-scented" dream create a sensory-rich portrayal of the environments the speaker wishes to provide for their beloved.
The tone of the poem is tender and aspirational. Hugo’s use of idealized imagery and the speaker’s earnest desire to offer their beloved perfect sanctuaries reflect a deep and affectionate longing. The poem’s tone combines admiration, devotion, and a sense of reverence for the beloved.
Structure and Style
The poem is structured with a consistent rhyming pattern and rhythmic flow, enhancing its lyrical quality. The three stanzas each present a different vision—one of natural beauty, one of honor and loyalty, and one of a dreamlike ideal—creating a sense of progression and depth in the speaker’s aspirations.
Hugo’s style is characterized by its romantic and idealistic tone, using rich and descriptive language to evoke the beauty and perfection the speaker wishes to offer. The use of classical poetic imagery and a rhythmic structure contributes to the poem’s melodic and heartfelt expression.
Victor Hugo’s "Song of Love" is a beautifully crafted exploration of idealized love and the speaker’s desire to provide perfect sanctuaries for their beloved. Through its rich imagery and tender tone, the poem captures the aspiration to create environments of beauty, honor, and transcendent bliss. The speaker’s vision of offering these idealized spaces reflects a deep devotion and longing to create an ideal experience of love. Hugo’s use of lyrical language and evocative descriptions invites readers to appreciate the depth of affection and the pursuit of perfection in romantic love.