His Phoenix
By William Butler Yeats
There is a queen in China, or maybe it’s in Spain,
And birthdays and holidays such praises can be heard
Of her unblemished lineaments, a whiteness with no stain,
That she might be that sprightly girl trodden by a bird;
And there’s a score of duchesses, surpassing womankind,
Or who have found a painter to make them so for pay
And smooth out stain and blemish with the elegance of his mind:
I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
The young men every night applaud their Gaby’s laughing eye,
And Ruth St. Denis had more charm although she had poor luck;
From nineteen hundred nine or ten, Pavlova’s had the cry
And there’s a player in the States who gathers up her cloak
And flings herself out of the room when Juliet would be bride
With all a woman’s passion, a child’s imperious way,
And there are — but no matter if there are scores beside:
I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
There’s Margaret and Marjorie and Dorothy and Nan,
A Daphne and a Mary who live in privacy;
One’s had her fill of lovers, another’s had but one,
Another boasts, ‘I pick and choose and have but two or three.’
If head and limb have beauty and the instep’s high and light
They can spread out what sail they please for all I have to say,
Be but the breakers of men’s hearts or engines of delight:
I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
There’ll be that crowd, that barbarous crowd, through all the centuries,
And who can say but some young belle may walk and talk men wild
Who is my beauty’s equal, though that my heart denies,
But not the exact likeness, the simplicity of a child,
And that proud look as though she had gazed into the burning sun,
And all the shapely body no tittle gone astray.
I mourn for that most lonely thing; and yet God’s will be done:
I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats’ poem His Phoenix is a meditation on beauty, memory, and the fleeting nature of human admiration. The poem contrasts the superficial adoration given to contemporary beauties with the poet’s memory of a singular, idealized figure from his youth—a woman he refers to as his "phoenix." Through rich imagery, classical references, and an air of nostalgic reverence, Yeats explores themes of loss, idealism, and the passage of time.
The Phoenix as a Symbol of Idealized Beauty
The poem’s title, His Phoenix, immediately signals that the speaker regards a particular woman from his past as exceptional. In mythology, the phoenix is a bird that dies in flames only to be reborn from its ashes, symbolizing uniqueness, immortality, and renewal. By invoking this imagery, Yeats suggests that his youthful love or admiration for this woman was singular, irreplaceable, and perhaps unattainable in the present.
Throughout the poem, the refrain:
I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
acts as a dismissive yet resigned acknowledgment of time’s passage. The speaker acknowledges the contemporary fascination with various beautiful women, but he remains unimpressed, holding onto the memory of his idealized figure.
Beauty and Superficial Admiration
The first stanza opens with references to a "queen in China" or "maybe it’s in Spain," setting a tone of mythical grandeur. This ambiguity suggests that the glorification of beauty transcends cultures and time periods. The queen’s "unblemished lineaments" and "whiteness with no stain" indicate an idealized, almost artificial perfection, which Yeats critiques by contrasting it with his own deeply personal standard of beauty.
The mention of painters smoothing out "stain and blemish" reinforces the idea that beauty, as it is celebrated in society, is often artificial—crafted rather than innate. This contrasts with the poet’s genuine and irreplaceable memory of his phoenix, a beauty that does not require embellishment.
The Transience of Fame and Admiration
In the second stanza, Yeats moves from queens and duchesses to performers and entertainers, including:
- Gaby’s laughing eye (likely a reference to the French actress Gaby Deslys)
- Ruth St. Denis (an American dancer)
- Pavlova (Anna Pavlova, the famous Russian ballerina)
- A Juliet actress in the States
Each of these women, despite their charm and talent, is framed as part of a fleeting cultural moment—admired for a time but ultimately transient. The speaker acknowledges their popularity but remains indifferent, as they do not compare to his phoenix.
Different Kinds of Beauty and the Speaker’s Indifference
The third stanza introduces women from various backgrounds—Margaret, Marjorie, Dorothy, Nan, and others—some of whom have had many lovers, while others claim to be selective. The variety of experiences presented here suggests that, while beauty and desire are powerful forces, they are also common and repetitive. The speaker, having once known a phoenix, finds no reason to be captivated by these women.
If head and limb have beauty and the instep’s high and lightThey can spread out what sail they please for all I have to say,
This line suggests that physical beauty alone does not impress him; women can attract admirers as they wish, but he remains detached, having once known a singular and extraordinary woman.
The Loss of an Irreplaceable Ideal
The final stanza acknowledges that beauty will continue to emerge throughout history—"that crowd, that barbarous crowd, through all the centuries." However, the speaker insists that none can be the equal of his phoenix.
Who is my beauty’s equal, though that my heart denies,But not the exact likeness, the simplicity of a child,
Here, the speaker concedes that another great beauty may exist, but none will possess the "exact likeness" of his phoenix—her unique simplicity and purity. This line reveals that his admiration was not just for physical beauty but for a deeper, almost spiritual quality.
The final lines mourn the passing of this ideal beauty:
I mourn for that most lonely thing; and yet God’s will be done:I knew a phoenix in my youth, so let them have their day.
The phrase "most lonely thing" suggests that his phoenix was rare and unmatched, possibly misunderstood or underappreciated. Yet, the resignation in "God’s will be done" acknowledges that time moves forward, and new generations will create their own ideals of beauty, even if they fall short of what the speaker once knew.
A Reflection on Time and Memory
At its core, His Phoenix is a deeply personal reflection on the nature of admiration, memory, and loss. Yeats contrasts fleeting societal beauty standards with a personal, irreplaceable ideal from his youth. The repetition of the refrain reinforces his detachment from contemporary fascination with beauty, as he holds on to something more profound—an ethereal, almost mystical presence that remains unmatched.
Through rich imagery, references to history and performance art, and a melancholic tone, Yeats captures the inevitability of time and the way personal memories can overshadow even the most celebrated figures of the present. His Phoenix is not just about beauty—it is about the way we remember, cherish, and ultimately mourn what can never be recaptured.