Running to Paradise
By William Butler Yeats
As I came over Windy Gap
They threw a halfpenny into my cap.
For I am running to paradise;
And all that I need do is to wish
And somebody puts his hand in the dish
To throw me a bit of salted fish:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
My brother Mourteen is worn out
With skelping his big brawling lout,
And I am running to paradise;
A poor life, do what he can,
And though he keep a dog and a gun,
A serving-maid and a serving-man:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
Poor men have grown to be rich men,
And rich men grown to be poor again,
And I am running to paradise;
And many a darling wit’s grown dull
That tossed a bare heel when at school,
Now it has filled a old sock full:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
The wind is old and still at play
While I must hurty upon my way.
For I am running to paradise;
Yet never have I lit on a friend
To take my fancy like the wind
That nobody can buy or bind:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
They threw a halfpenny into my cap.
For I am running to paradise;
And all that I need do is to wish
And somebody puts his hand in the dish
To throw me a bit of salted fish:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
My brother Mourteen is worn out
With skelping his big brawling lout,
And I am running to paradise;
A poor life, do what he can,
And though he keep a dog and a gun,
A serving-maid and a serving-man:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
Poor men have grown to be rich men,
And rich men grown to be poor again,
And I am running to paradise;
And many a darling wit’s grown dull
That tossed a bare heel when at school,
Now it has filled a old sock full:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
The wind is old and still at play
While I must hurty upon my way.
For I am running to paradise;
Yet never have I lit on a friend
To take my fancy like the wind
That nobody can buy or bind:
And there the king is but as the beggar.
Poem Analysis:
William Butler Yeats’ Running to Paradise is a captivating meditation on life, ambition, and the equality of all in the face of the eternal. The poem combines simplicity in language with profound philosophical reflections, exploring themes of materialism, freedom, and mortality.
Themes
- Simplicity and Contentment: The speaker rejects material wealth and worldly concerns, choosing instead a simple life characterized by freedom and spiritual aspiration. The repeated refrain, “And I am running to paradise,” emphasizes this focus on an idealized state of existence unburdened by societal expectations.
- Equality in Mortality: The recurring line, “And there the king is but as the beggar,” underscores the inevitability of death and the ultimate equality it brings. Regardless of status, wealth, or power, all are equal in paradise, a state beyond the material world.
- Critique of Materialism: The poem critiques the pursuit of material wealth and social standing, suggesting their fleeting nature. Riches and wit fade over time, as reflected in the line, “Poor men have grown to be rich men, / And rich men grown to be poor again.”
- The Allure of Freedom: The wind serves as a metaphor for freedom and unrestrained existence. The speaker values this untamable force over any human connection or material possession, declaring, “Yet never have I lit on a friend / To take my fancy like the wind.”
Structure and Form
The poem is structured into four stanzas of six lines each, with a consistent rhyme scheme. The rhythm is conversational, almost like a ballad, which makes the philosophical reflections more accessible. Each stanza concludes with the refrain, “And there the king is but as the beggar,” reinforcing the central theme of equality in paradise.
Literary Devices
- Repetition: The refrain, “And I am running to paradise,” is repeated throughout the poem, acting as a mantra that underscores the speaker’s unwavering focus on spiritual fulfillment over material gain.
- Imagery: Yeats uses vivid, earthy imagery to paint contrasting pictures of the physical and the spiritual. For example, “a bit of salted fish” evokes the simplicity of sustenance, while “the wind is old and still at play” captures the boundless and ageless nature of freedom.
- Symbolism:
- The Wind: Symbolizing freedom and the eternal, the wind is a force that cannot be “bought or bound.” It represents the speaker’s ideal of unrestrained existence.
- Paradise: Represents not just a spiritual afterlife but a state of simplicity and transcendence beyond material concerns.
- The King and the Beggar: Symbolizing equality, this dichotomy erases distinctions of status, power, and wealth in the spiritual realm.
- Contrast: The poem frequently contrasts material and spiritual values. While Mourteen, the speaker’s brother, represents the toil and concerns of a worldly life, the speaker’s journey to paradise symbolizes freedom from these burdens.
- Irony: There is an ironic undercurrent in the poem’s depiction of wealth and wit. The “darling wit” who was carefree in youth is now burdened by material possessions, symbolized by the “old sock full.” This irony highlights the futility of material pursuits.
Interpretation of Key Lines
- “And there the king is but as the beggar”: This refrain underscores the poem’s core message: in paradise, worldly distinctions lose all significance. The line can be read as a reflection on mortality or as a rejection of societal hierarchies.
- “Yet never have I lit on a friend / To take my fancy like the wind”: This line emphasizes the speaker’s admiration for freedom and unrestrained existence. The wind, being untamable and eternal, contrasts sharply with the fleeting and binding nature of human relationships and material possessions.
- “For I am running to paradise”: The active verb “running” suggests urgency and determination, as though the speaker is eager to escape the encumbrances of the physical world and embrace the spiritual ideal of paradise.
Philosophical Undertones
Yeats infuses the poem with a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life. The speaker’s journey is both literal and metaphorical, representing the human quest for transcendence and fulfillment. The poem suggests that true freedom and equality can only be found beyond the physical world, in a state of spiritual paradise.
The tension between worldly attachment and spiritual aspiration is a recurring theme in Yeats’ work. In Running to Paradise, he resolves this tension by rejecting material concerns altogether, favoring a life of simplicity and spiritual focus.
Context and Legacy
Yeats often grappled with the interplay between the material and the spiritual in his poetry. Written during a time when he was increasingly influenced by mysticism and spiritualism, Running to Paradise reflects his belief in the transience of earthly life and the enduring nature of the soul’s journey.
The poem’s conversational tone and universal themes make it both accessible and profound. Its critique of materialism and celebration of simplicity resonate with modern readers, offering a timeless reflection on what it means to live a meaningful life.
Running to Paradise is a masterful exploration of life’s essential questions, blending simplicity of form with depth of thought. Through its vivid imagery, symbolic contrasts, and poignant refrain, the poem invites readers to reflect on the futility of material pursuits and the promise of spiritual transcendence. Yeats’ enduring wisdom shines through in his portrayal of paradise as a state where all are equal and free, where the king and the beggar stand as one.