Be-gem the golden corn,
And spangle with their skyey tint
The furrows not yet shorn;
While still the pure white tufts of May
Ape each a snowy ball, —
Away, ye merry maids, and haste
To gather ere they fall!
Nowhere the sun of Spain outshines
Upon a fairer town
Than Peñafiel, or endows
More richly farming clown;
Nowhere a broader square reflects
Such brilliant mansions, tall, —
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
Nowhere a statelier abbey rears
Dome huger o'er a shrine,
Though seek ye from old Rome itself
To even Seville fine.
Here countless pilgrims come to pray
And promenade the Mall, —
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
Where glide the girls more joyfully
Than ours who dance at dusk,
With roses white upon their brows,
With waists that scorn the busk?
Mantillas elsewhere hide dull eyes —
Compared with these, how small!
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
A blossom in a city lane,
Alizia was our pride,
And oft the blundering bee, deceived,
Came buzzing to her side —
But, oh! for one that felt the sting,
And found, 'neath honey, gall —
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
Young, haughty, from still hotter lands,
A stranger hither came —
Was he a Moor or African,
Or Murcian known to fame?
None knew — least, she — or false or true,
The name by which to call.
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
Alizia asked not his degree,
She saw him but as Love,
And through Xarama's vale they strayed,
And tarried in the grove, —
Oh! curses on that fatal eve,
And on that leafy hall!
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
The darkened city breathed no more;
The moon was mantled long,
Till towers thrust the cloudy cloak
Upon the steeples' throng;
The crossway Christ, in ivy draped,
Shrank, grieving, 'neath the pall, —
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
But while, alone, they kept the shade,
The other dark-eyed dears
Were murmuring on the stifling air
Their jealous threats and fears;
Alizia was so blamed, that time,
Unheeded rang the call:
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
Although, above, the hawk describes
The circle round the lark,
It sleeps, unconscious, and our lass
Had eyes but for her spark —
A spark? — a sun! 'Twas Juan, King!
Who wears our coronal, —
Away, ye merry maids, etc.
A love so far above one's state
Ends sadly. Came a black
And guarded palanquin to bear
The girl that ne'er comes back;
By royal writ, some nunnery
Still shields her from us all
Away, ye merry maids, and haste
To gather ere they fall!
Poem Analysis:
"Cornflowers" by Victor Hugo is a poignant poem that captures the beauty of nature and the complexities of human emotions, set against the backdrop of a picturesque town and its vibrant surroundings. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Hugo weaves a tale of love, loss, and societal expectations.
Natural Imagery: The poem opens with a description of the azure stars of cornflowers adorning the golden cornfields. This imagery sets the scene and establishes a connection between the beauty of nature and the human experience.
Setting: The town of Peñafiel is depicted as a place of beauty and prosperity, with its magnificent mansions, grand square, and stately abbey. The description evokes a sense of grandeur and richness, reflecting the splendor of the surroundings where the events of the poem unfold.
Atmosphere of Celebration: The poem captures the joyful atmosphere of the town, where girls dance joyfully with roses in their hair and waists adorned with flowers. The lively description of the scene conveys a sense of celebration and happiness, adding to the richness of the setting.
Introduction of Characters: The poem introduces Alizia, a young woman who becomes the object of affection for a mysterious stranger. Despite the warnings and gossip of others, Alizia sees only love in the stranger and is drawn to him.
Tragic Turn of Events: The arrival of the mysterious stranger brings both excitement and apprehension to the town. Alizia's love for the stranger, identified as Juan, leads to tragic consequences as societal norms and expectations collide with personal desires.
Societal Pressures: The poem explores the theme of societal pressures and the consequences of defying social conventions. Despite her love for Juan, Alizia is ultimately separated from him and sent to a nunnery, symbolizing the stifling influence of societal expectations on individual happiness.
Symbolism: The cornflowers, with their fleeting beauty and delicate petals, serve as a poignant symbol of the transient nature of love and life. Like the cornflowers that wither and fall, Alizia's love story is fleeting and ultimately doomed by societal constraints.
Themes of Love and Loss: "Cornflowers" explores themes of love, loss, and longing. The poem depicts the bittersweet nature of love and the pain of separation, highlighting the human experience of longing for connection and enduring the consequences of societal norms.
In conclusion, "Cornflowers" by Victor Hugo is a beautifully crafted poem that intertwines themes of love, loss, and societal expectations against the backdrop of nature's beauty. Through its evocative imagery and emotional depth, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the fleeting nature of love in the face of societal constraints.