To the Rose Upon the Rood of Time (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

To the Rose Upon the Rood of Time

By William Butler Yeats

Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!
Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:
Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;
The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,
Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;
And thine own sadness, where of stars, grown old
In dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,
Sing in their high and lonely melody.
Come near, that no more blinded by man’s fate,
I find under the boughs of love and hate,
In all poor foolish things that live a day,
Eternal beauty wandering on her way.

Come near, come near, come near — Ah, leave me still
A little space for the rose-breath to fill!
Lest I no more bear common things that crave;
The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,
The field-mouse running by me in the grass,
And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;
But seek alone to hear the strange things said
By God to the bright hearts of those long dead,
And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.
Come near; I would, before my time to go,
Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.

Poem Analysis:

William Butler Yeats’ poem To the Rose Upon the Rood of Time is a deeply evocative work that intertwines Irish mythology, personal longing, and philosophical musings on beauty and time. The poem, published in The Rose (1893), reflects Yeats’ preoccupation with the Rose as a potent symbol of Ireland, spiritual transcendence, and poetic inspiration.

Structure and Form

The poem is composed in rhymed couplets, which lend it a lyrical and incantatory quality. The repetition of “Come near” emphasizes the speaker’s yearning for the Rose, reinforcing the poem’s meditative and almost prayer-like atmosphere. The meter, largely iambic, enhances its musicality and flow, making the plea to the Rose feel both urgent and reverent.

Symbolism of the Rose

The Rose in Yeats’ poetry often serves as a multifaceted symbol, and in this poem, it carries several meanings:

1. Ireland and its Mythology – The Rose represents Ireland, its beauty, and its ancient traditions. The mention of legendary figures such as Cuchulain and Fergus ties the poem to Irish heroic lore.
2. Spiritual Aspiration – The Rose is also a mystical emblem, connected to divine beauty and the transcendence of worldly suffering.
3. Poetic Inspiration – As in much of Yeats’ early poetry, the Rose embodies the ideal of art and poetic vision, something the speaker seeks to attain.

Themes

1. The Tension Between the Mundane and the Eternal: Yeats juxtaposes ordinary life—symbolized by “poor foolish things that live a day”—with the eternal beauty of Irish legend and myth. This contrast suggests the poet’s struggle between engaging with the present world and seeking transcendence through art and history.
2. The Call to the Past: By invoking legendary figures and ancient Ireland, the speaker seeks wisdom from the past. The phrase “Sing in their high and lonely melody” suggests that history holds a distant yet compelling beauty, one that is both alluring and melancholic.
3. The Poet’s Role: The poet wishes to “chaunt a tongue men do not know,” signifying a desire to communicate eternal truths through poetry. Yeats sees himself as a bridge between the past and the present, using poetry to preserve and revitalize lost traditions.

The Rood of Time

The phrase “Rood of Time” evokes the image of the cross, suggesting sacrifice, suffering, and redemption. Time itself becomes a crucifix upon which beauty and poetry are nailed—constantly in tension, yet eternally significant.

To the Rose Upon the Rood of Time encapsulates Yeats’ early poetic vision, combining nationalism, mysticism, and a reverence for the past. The Rose remains an emblem of Ireland and artistic longing, embodying the poet’s struggle to reconcile the ephemeral with the eternal. Through its evocative language and rhythmic incantations, the poem stands as a testament to Yeats’ enduring fascination with myth, beauty, and time.