The wind plunges — then stops;
And a column of leaves in a whirl,
Like a dervish that spins — drops,
With a delicate rustle,
Falls into a circle that thins;
The leaves creep away one by one,
Hiding in hollows and ruts;
Silence comes down on the lane:
The light wheels slow from the sun,
And glints where the corn stood,
And strays over the plain,
Touching with patches of gold,
The knolls and the hollows,
Crosses the lane,
And slips into the wood;
Then flashes a mile away on the farm,
A moment of brightness fine;
Then the gold glimmers and wanes,
And is swept by a clouding of gray,
For cheek by jowl, arm in arm,
The shadow’s afoot with the shine.
The wind roars out from the elm,
Then leaps tiger-sudden; — the leaves
Shudder up into heaps and are caught
High as the branch where they hung
Over the oriole’s nest.
Down in the sodden field,
A blind man is gathering his roots,
Guided and led by a girl;
Her gold hair blows in the wind,
Her garments with flutter and furl
Leap like a flag in the sun;
And whenever he stoops, she stoops,
And they heap the dark colored beets
In the barrow, row upon row.
When it is full to the brim,
He wheels it patiently, slow,
Something oppressive and grim
Clothing his figure, but she
Beautifully light at his side,
Touches his arm with her hand,
Ready to help or to guide:
Power and comfort at need
In the flex of her figure lurk,
The fire at the heart of the deed
The angel that watches o’er work.
This is her visible form,
Heartening the labor she loves,
Keeping the breath of it warm,
Warm as a nestling of doves.
Humble or high or sublime,
Hers no reward of degrees,
Ditching as precious as rhyme,
If only the spirit be true.
“Effort and effort,” she cries,
“This is the heart-beat of life,
Up with the lark and the dew,
Still with the dew and the stars,
Feel it athrob in the earth.”
When labor is counselled by love,
You may see her splendid, serene,
Bending and brooding above,
With the justice and power of her mien
Where thought has its passionate birth,
Her smile is the sweetest renown,
For the stroke and the derring-do,
Her crown is the starriest crown.
When tears at the fountain are dry,
Bares she the round of her breast,
Soft to the cicatrized cheek,
Lulls this avatar of rest;
Strength is her arm for the weak;
Courage the wells of her eyes;
What is the power of their deeps,
Only the baffled can guess;
Nothing can daunt the emprise
When she sets hand to the hilt;
Victory is she — not less.
And oh! in the cages and dens
Where women work down to the bone,
Where men never laugh but they curse,
Think you she leaves them alone?
She the twin-sister of Love!
There, where the pressure is worst,
Of this hell-palace built to the skies
Upon hearts too crushed down to burst,
There, she is wiser than wise,
Giving no vistas sublime
Of towers in the murmurous air,
With gardens of pleasaunce and pride
Lulling the fleetness of time,
With doves alight by the side
Of a fountain that veils and drips;
She offers no tantalus-cup
To the shrunken, the desperate lips;
But she calms them with lethe and love,
And deadens the throb and the pain,
And evens the heart-beat wild,
Whispering again and again,
“Work on, work on, work on,
My broken, my agonized child,”
With her tremulous, dew-cool lips,
At the whorl of the tortured ear,
Till the cry is the presage of hope,
The trample of succor near.
And for those whose desperate day
Breeds night with a leaguer of fears,
(Night, that on earth brings the dew,
With stars at the window, and wind
In the maples, and rushes of balm,)
She pours from their limitless stores
Her sacred, ineffable tears.
When a soul too weary of life
Sets to its madness an end,
Then for a moment her eyes
Lighten, and thunder broods dark,
Heavy and strong at her heart;
But for a moment, and then
All her imperious wrath
Breaks in a passion of tears,
With the surge of her grief outpoured,
She sinks on the bosom of Love,
Her sister of infinite years,
And is wrapped, and enclosed, and restored.
So we have come with the breeze,
Up to the height of the hill,
Lost in the valley trees,
The old blind man and the girl;
But deep in the heart is the thrill
Of the image of counselling love;
The shape of the soul in the gloom,
And the power of the figure above,
Stand for the whole world’s need:
For labor is always blind,
Unless as the light of the deed
The angel is smiling behind.
Now on the height of the hill,
The wind is fallen to a breath;
But down in the valley still,
It stalks in the shadowy wood,
And angers the river’s breast;
The fields turn into the dark
That plays on the round of the sphere;
A star leaps sharp in the clear
Line of the sky, clear and cold;
But a cloud in the warmer west
Holds for a little its gold;
Like the wing of a seraph who sinks
Into antres afar from the earth,
Reluctant he flames on the brinks
Of the circles of nebulous stars,
Reluctant he turns to the rest,
From the planet whose ideal is love,
And then as he sweeps to the void
Vivid with tremulous light,
He gives it his translucent wing,
An emblem of pity unfurled,
Then falls to the uttermost ring,
And is lost to the world.
Poem Analysis:
Duncan Campbell Scott's "Labor and the Angel" is a profound exploration of the human experience of labor, imbued with rich imagery and allegorical depth. Through vivid descriptions and poetic language, Scott delves into the intricate relationship between labor, love, and the divine.
Imagery of Nature: Scott begins by painting a vivid picture of the natural world, using imagery of wind, leaves, and sunlight to create a sensory experience for the reader. The shifting landscape mirrors the ebb and flow of life's rhythms, while the wind serves as a powerful and dynamic force, echoing the complexities of human existence.
Symbolism of Labor: The poem portrays labor as a fundamental aspect of human existence, symbolizing both physical toil and the pursuit of purpose and meaning. The blind man and the girl represent the collective effort and resilience of humanity, as they work together to gather roots from the sodden field. Scott emphasizes the dignity and importance of labor, highlighting its transformative potential and capacity to bring people together in shared purpose.
The Angelic Presence: Central to the poem is the figure of the Angel, a symbol of divine guidance and compassion. The Angel embodies the spiritual essence of labor, offering solace, encouragement, and hope to those who toil. Scott explores the Angel's multifaceted role as a source of strength, comfort, and inspiration, emphasizing the profound impact of love and empathy in the face of adversity.
Themes of Compassion and Empathy: Throughout the poem, Scott underscores the importance of compassion and empathy in the human experience. The Angel's presence is characterized by a deep sense of empathy for those who suffer, offering solace and support to the weary and downtrodden. Scott suggests that true fulfillment lies not only in individual achievement but also in our ability to uplift and support one another through acts of kindness and understanding.
Symbolism of Light and Darkness: The poem employs contrasting imagery of light and darkness to symbolize the complexities of human existence. While the natural world is depicted in shades of light and shadow, the Angel serves as a guiding light amidst the darkness of despair and hardship. Scott suggests that even in moments of darkness and uncertainty, the presence of love and compassion can illuminate the path forward, offering hope and redemption.
In conclusion, Duncan Campbell Scott's "Labor and the Angel" is a profound meditation on the nature of labor, love, and divine guidance. Through its rich imagery and allegorical depth, the poem invites readers to reflect on the transformative power of empathy, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of life's challenges.
