"Stanzas" is an untitled poem first printed in Poe’s 1827 collection Tamerlane and Other Poems. The title was later assigned. Another poem with the same title appeared in Graham’s Magazine in December 1845, signed "P." and attributed to Poe based on a copy owned by Frances Osgood. The poem reflects on the deep connection between humans and nature, capturing the awe and mystery of the universe.
"Stanzas" Poem Text by Edgar Allan Poe
How often we forget all time, when lone
Admiring Nature’s universal throne;
Her woods—her wilds—her mountains—the intense
Reply of HERS to OUR intelligence!
—BYRON, The Island.
I
In youth have I known one with whom the Earth
In secret communing held—as he with it,
In daylight, and in beauty from his birth:
Whose fervid, flickering torch of life was lit
From the sun and stars, whence he had drawn forth
A passionate light—such for his spirit was fit—
And yet that spirit knew not, in the hour
Of its own fervor what had o’er it power.
II
Perhaps it may be that my mind is wrought
To a fever by the moonbeam that hangs o’er,
But I will half believe that wild light fraught
With more of sovereignty than ancient lore
Hath ever told—or is it of a thought
The unembodied essence, and no more,
That with a quickening spell doth o’er us pass
As dew of the night-time o’er the summer grass?
III
Doth o’er us pass, when, as th’ expanding eye
To the loved object—so the tear to the lid
Will start, which lately slept in apathy?
And yet it need not be—(that object) hid
From us in life—but common—which doth lie
Each hour before us—but then only, bid
With a strange sound, as of a harp-string broken,
To awake us—’Tis a symbol and a token.
IV
Of what in other worlds shall be—and given
In beauty by our God, to those alone
Who otherwise would fall from life and Heaven
Drawn by their heart’s passion, and that tone,
That high tone of the spirit which hath striven,
Tho’ not with Faith—with godliness—whose throne
With desperate energy ‘t hath beaten down;
Wearing its own deep feeling as a crown.
Quick Facts
| Title: | Stanzas |
| Author: | Edgar Allan Poe |
| Published: | 1827 |
| Meter Type: | Varied |
| Rhyme Scheme: | ABAB |
| Structure: | Lyric Poem |
Summary of "Stanzas" (1827)
"Stanzas" explores the deep, mystical connection between the human soul and nature. The poem reflects on how individuals, particularly in their youth, are unconsciously influenced by the power of the natural world. This power, drawn from the sun, stars, and the elements, can light the spirit of a person without them fully understanding its source. The speaker ponders whether the moonbeam has a supernatural influence and whether the spiritual forces in nature guide human emotions and passions.
Critical Analysis of "Stanzas" (1827)
Poe’s "Stanzas" is rich with philosophical musings on nature’s ability to influence the human mind and spirit. The speaker reflects on a person who has a special communion with nature, drawing strength and passion from it. However, this individual is unaware of the source of their power. Poe captures the tension between the tangible world and the mystical, presenting the natural environment as something both ordinary and divine.
In addition, the poem’s meditations on the moon and its potential mystical sovereignty highlight Poe’s recurring theme of the unknown forces governing human emotions. The poem suggests that nature, while beautiful and constant, can evoke deep, hidden passions that remain enigmatic. The harp-string image in the third stanza symbolizes the unexpected ways in which the natural world can awaken profound emotional responses, making the poem both intimate and universal.
Major Themes in "Stanzas" (1827)
- Nature’s Power: The poem focuses on the influence of nature, particularly its hidden forces that shape human passion and thought.
- Mystical Connection: It explores the idea of a spiritual communion between the human soul and the natural world, where elements like the sun and stars fuel the spirit.
- Emotion and Awareness: The poem deals with the emotions evoked by nature and how individuals are often unaware of the true sources of their feelings.
- Symbolism: Poe uses symbols such as the moonbeam and the harp-string to depict how nature affects the inner workings of the human mind.
Stylistic Analysis of "Stanzas" (1827)
- Imagery: The poem is filled with natural imagery, particularly references to the sun, stars, and moonbeam, which represent the spiritual forces within nature.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a ABAB rhyme scheme, contributing to its lyrical quality.
- Structure: Divided into four stanzas, the poem progresses from reflections on youth and nature’s influence to deeper philosophical and spiritual questions.
- Symbolism: Nature, in particular the moonbeam and harp-string, is used as a symbol of the hidden powers that shape human emotions.