A CO M M E N T A R Y ON T ENNY SO NS

[N M EM OR I AM
 M AC M I LLAN AND CO LMT D
I I E

LO ND O N o BO M BAY C A L C TT
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M E LB O U R NE

TH E MACM I LLA N C O M P A N Y
NE W K
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N C H C A GO
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A TL NT A
A N F ANC CO
SA R IS

TH E MACM ILLA N C O O F CA N A DA .
,

TO R ONTO
 C o m m e n t ar y on

T en n ys o n
’
s

In M e m o r ia m

”y
“
“% \
y

A : O f Br a d l e y
Fo r m e rly Pro f esso r o f Po etry in th e Univers ity of O x f ord

Tb ir d Edition , Revired

MA C M I L LA N A ND C O .
,
LI M I T ED
M A R T I N S S T R E ET L O ND O N
’
ST .
, .

1 9 1 0
 F E t ir s t di io n , 1901 .

Se con d Ed 0
ition , 1 9 2 . R ep r in t
e d , 1907.
Th rd Ed t
i i ion , 1910 .

M 10

I ‘
)

GL AS O W
G 1 P R NTED
I AT T HE U N E S TY P R E
IV R I S S
BY R O B E RT M A C L E H O S E A ND C O . LT D .
TH E B ELOVE D M E M O RY
OF

G EO R G E G R O V E
 P R E F A CE T O T H E T H I RD E D I T I ON .

IN t he int e re st of poss e ssors of t h e Se c ond

E diti o n it h a s s ee m e d b e st to l ea v e t h e C o m
,

me nt a ry un c h a ng e d ( s a v e for t h e r e m ov a l of two
or thr ee m isprints ) a n d to pl a c e t h e a dd ition s an d
,

c orr e c tions whi c h d istinguish this E d ition i n an

A pp e nd i x by th e m s e lv e s .

T h e y a r e o c c a sion e d for t h e m ost p a rt by t h e

, ,

’
a pp e a r a n c e of t h e pr e s e nt Lord T e n ny s on s e dition

of [n M em on a m
’

whi c h c ont a in s tog e th e r ,

with m a tt e r a lre a dy u s e d int h e pr e p a r a tion o f this

C o mm e nt a ry a nu m b e r of not e s writt e n or dic
,

t at e d by t h e po e t hi m s e lf a n d oth e r s c ontribut e d
,

by t h e e dit o r T h e fo r m e r a r e r e fe rr e d to i n m y
.

A pp e ndi x a s t h e A uth o r s not e s Ge n e r a lly

‘ ’ ’
.
,

th ey rriu s t b e t a k e n as d e c i s iv e though it sh o uld

,

b e born e in m ind th a t as w as n a tur a l t h e po e t in

, ,

h is l a t e r y e a rs did n o t i n a ll c a s e s r e m e m b e r his
origin a l m ea ning ac c ura t e ly ( s ee eg t h e not e on .

b
 P r e f ac e to the T h ir d E d it io n
‘
the blu e bird o f M a r c h on p 1 8 6 o f t h e
s ea -
’
.

C o m m e nt a ry) .

W ith o n e or t wo e x c e ptions I h a ve r e fe rre d

,

only to su c h n o t e s i n Lo r d T e nnys o n s e diti o n a s ’

c o nfir m c o r r e c t
,
or illustra t e m y o w n int e rpre t a
,

ti o ns T h e r e a r e m a ny o th e r int e r e sting not e s

.
,

whi c h th e r e a d e r should c onsult .

Apr i l , 1 9 10.
 P RE FA C E T O T HE F IR ST E D IT I ON .

AS m ost r e a d e rs of a boo k a r e s a id to ignor e t h e

Pr e fa c e I wil l b e g a nyon e who m ay int e nd to u s e
,

this C o mm e nt a ry to r e a d for his own s a k e t h e

, ,

fi rst two of t h e followi ng p a r a gr a phs .

T h e st a nz a s b e ginn ing S t r ong 5072 of God with ,

whi c h [72 M emor z a m Op e n s a re c a ll e d in th e s e

'

p a ge s t he P rol ogu e ; t h e st a nz a s a t t h e e n d
‘ ’
,

b eginning 0 t r ue a n d t r ied t h e E pilogu e ; t h e ,

’

’
13 1 int e rv e ning pi e c e s a r e c a ll e d s ec tion s or ‘
, ,

wh e r e t h e word c ould not b e m i s u nd e rstood ,

‘
po e m s.
’
Th e s ec tions a r e re fe rre d to by R o m a n
nu me r a ls th e ir lin e s by A r a bi c : thus X L 1 0
,
‘
.
’

m e a ns s e c tion X L l in e I O
’
I fou nd it indis
‘
. .
,

pe n s a bl e to r e fe r usu a lly t o lin e s not st a nz a s In ,

.

t h e c a s e of t h e short e r s e c tion s this will giv e t h e

r e a d e r n o troubl e but h e will fi nd it c onve ni e nt

,

to nu m b e r t h e lin e s of a f e w long e r on e s I am .

s o rry th a t in re fe rring to m a ny of T e nnyson s ’

oth e r p o e m s I w as u n a bl e to gu id e t h e r e a d e r to
t h e pa s s a ge i n qu e sti o n as t h e lin e s a r e not
,

nu mb e r e d .
 P r ef ac e to the Fir st E dit io n
T he t e x t u s e d i s of c ours e t h e c opyright t ex t ,

whi c h h as r e m a in e d un a lt e re d I b e li e ve sin c e
"
, ,

Th e c h a ng e s m a d e u p to th a t ti m e are
note d wh e re th e y o c c u r a n d a re a l s o printe d in ,

a list a t t h e e n d of t h e boo k T w o of th e m .

are i m port a nt I n t h e fourth edition

. 1 8 51 , ,

s e c tion 0 S or r ow w il l M ou l ive w z tlz m e

'

LI X .
, , ,

a pp e a re d for t h e first ti m e I n 1 8 7 2 s e c tion .

XXX I X 0ld w a r der of thes e bu r ied oan es w as a dd e d

.
, ,
.

Re ad e rs who use o n e of t he fir s t thre e e ditions or ,

a g a in a n e dition l a t e r th a n t h e third a n d e a rli e r

th a n I 8 7 2 mu s t m odify my r e fe re n c e s a c c ordingly ;
,

but th e y wil l find it si m pl e r to buy t h e pr e s e nt

t e x t for Si x p e n c e .

Th e purpos e of this boo k is stri c tly li m it e d .

M y m a in obj e c t is to b e of u s e to su c h r e ad e rs a s
c a r e to s tudy I n M emor z a m c lo s e ly by showing t h e
'

be a ring of t h e se c tions on o n e a noth e r an d by ,

d ea ling with ma ny of t h e d ifii c ult ie s of int e rpr e t a

tion whi c h I h a v e e n c ount e re d in my own r e a ding
1
of t h e po e m in c onve rs a tion in t eac hing an d i n
,
.
, ,

b oo k s on t h e subj e c t Th e quot a tions of p a ra ll e l

.

p a s s age s a re so m e ti me s me a nt t o s e rv e this l a tt e r
purpos e so m e ti me s m e r e ly to gra tify lit e r a ry
,

1
Th e b khoo ad its o rigin in l ectures given in 1 884 at Univers ity
Co llege ,
Liverpoo l .
 P r ef ac e t he Fir st E dit io n
‘

to xi

c uriosity r e g a rding t h e point dis c u s s e d a t t h e

e n d of t h e I ntrodu c tion I h a v e a b s t a in e d a l m o s t
.

wholly fro m ae sth e ti c c riti c is m c hi e fly b ec a us e

‘ ’
, ,

a lthough of c ours e it int e re s ts m e m or e th a n t h e

k ind of c o m me nt to whi c h thi s boo k is r e stri c t e d ,

I do not thin k t h e two k ind s h a r m onis e w e ll .

I ought p e rh a ps to s ay a f e w words to thos e

r e a d e rs who without obj e c ting on prin c i pl e to a ll
,

c o m me nt a ri e s on E nglish po e try m ay n a tura lly ,

fee l doubts a bout this p a rti c ul a r boo k .

T o thos e who thin k a l l c o m m e nt a ry on I n

M emor z a m sup e rfluous I wil l ve nture to re ply th a t
'

th ey c a n n e ve r h a v e studi e d t h e p o e m I f th e y .

do so th e y w il l c e rt a i nly fi nd th a t t he m ea ning of
ma ny p a ss a ge s is doubtful a n d th a t a f e w ar e
,

e x tr e m ely obs c ur e ; t h e c a us e of th e s e d e fe c ts
b e ing so me ti m e s e x c e ss i n t h e T e nnysoni a n virtu e
of c on c is e n e s s so me ti m e s an e x c e s s iv e or u n f o r
,

t u n at e u s e of p e riphr a sis O r d e c or a tion .

O th e rs will thin k th a t a t a n y ra te m a ny lin e s

, ,

whi c h I h a v e a nnot a t e d a re qu it e p e rspi c u o u s I .

a gr e e with th e m ; but I b e li e v e I h a v e a tt e m pt e d

t o e x pl a in n o thing th a t I h a d not found m is u n de r

stood b y m y s e l f o r so m e on e e ls e ; an d th e re are
hosts of m is a ppre h e nsion s whi c h I h av e l e ft un
noti c e d . T h e e x a sp e ra t e d r e a d e r shou ld try t h e
e x p e rime nt of qu e stioning hi m s e l f an d a f e w oth e r
x ii P r e f ac e to the Fir st E dit io n
i nt e llig e nt p e rs on s o n t h e m e a n ing o f e v e r y lin e in
a doz e n s e c ti o n s t a k e n a t h a
p h a z a rd fro m t h e
p
-
o e m .

I h a v e m or e di ffi c ulty in m ee ting t h e p o s s ibl e

c h a rge th a t I o ft e n insi s t on finding a d e finit e
m ea ning w h e r e th e r e is no ne ; for this c h a rg e
ra i se s a qu e sti o n too wid e to di s c u s s in a P re fa c e .

I c an only s ay th a t whil e I h a v e no doubt it m ay

,

b e tru e a s r e g a rds s o m e p a s s a ge s I qu e s ti o n t h e ,

pr e s uppositi o n on whi c h it r e sts A p a rt fro m.

d e fe c t s fi n e p o e try I thin k is ind e finit e i n t h e

, , , ,

s e n s e th a t its l a ngu a g e h as a v a gu e s ugg e s tiv e n e s s ,

on whi c h its virtu e l a rg e ly d e p e nds a n d wh ic h

di s a pp e a r s i n a p a r a phr a s e B ut thi s s ugg e stiv e
.

n e s s or u n t r a n s l a t e a b le m ea ning a t tac h e s to a
,
‘
,
’

d e finite me nt a l m a tt e r n a m e ly i m a ge s a n d ,

thoughts t h e outlin e s of whi c h s h o uld b e c l e a r

,

to us h o w e v e r littl e w e m ay b e a bl e to e x h a u s t
,

th e ir sign ifi c a n c e W e re a d for t h e m o s t p a rt
.

h a lf a sl e e p but a po e t writ e s wid e a w a k e

-
,
H is -
.

thoughts m a y b e unli k e logi ca l s t a t e m e nts a n d ,

’

h is i m a g e s m ay c onfli c t but t h e v a r e th e r e a n d
,

a l l a liv e ; a n d our bu s i n e ss is to r e c r e a t e th e m .

We a r e m u c h m i s t ak e n wh e n w e fo i s t upon
h im t h e m i s ty g e n e ra liti e s whi c h h is word s m ay
at firs t c onv e y t o u s T h e re is no po e try in
.

tk z s in d e fi n it e n e s s th e r e is si m ply fe e bl e n e ss of
'

i ma gin ation .
 P r ef ac e to the Fir st E d it io n x iii

La stly , I m ay b e told th a t in a n y c a s e it is i dl e
'

to troubl e on e s e l f a bou t thos e pu zzl e s whos e solu

.

tion would bring h a rdly an y po e ti c a l profit a n d ,

a bsurd to writ e p a g e s on Go d shut t h e doorw a ys

’
of his h e a d P e rh a ps . But to go no fu rthe r.
, ,

th e re a r e p e opl e who c a nnot b e c ont e nt to liv e

with su c h puzzl e s in a po e m th a t th e y love I .

sh a ll b e s a tisfi e d i f m y boo k h e lps th e m to r ea d

I n M emor ia m without a c h e c k or s a v e s th e m fro m ,

sp e nding on its d ifli c u l t ie s o n e h un dr e d th p a rt of ‘

t h e l a bour I h a v e sp e nt .

I a m u nd e r oblig a tions to t h e following a m ong

’
b o o k s whi c h I h a v e c onsult e d Lord T e nnyson s
M emoir o f his fa th e r fi rst e dition in two vol u m e s ,

M r C hurton C ollins s I ll us t r a t ion s of Ten ny s on ;

.

D r Gatt y s Key t o I n M emor ia m fourth e dition ;

’
.
,

M r J F Ge n u n gs Ten ny s on s [n M em or ia rn : its
’ ’
. . .

P u rpos e a n d its S t r u ct u r e ; M i s s E R C h a p m a n s
’
. .

Compa n ion to I n M emor ia m ; M r . EC

. . T a in s h
’
s

S t udy f
o Ten ny s on
’
s Wor ks
dition 1 8 9 3 ; ,
n ew e ,

M r J a me s Kn o w les s a rti c l e i n Tne Nin eteen tli

’
.

Con t u oy for J a nu a ry 1 8 9 3 W h e r e I w as c o n
,
.

s c iou s of a p a rti c ul a r oblig ati o n I h av e sp ec i a lly

a c k nowl e dg e d i t but I m ay n ot a lwa ys h a v e
,

re m e m b e re d my d ebt s an d I s houl d li k e to s ay
,

th at though I diff e r fro m h im c onst a ntly I thin k

, ,

M r Gen un gs boo k h as not m e t with full r e c ognition

’
. .
 P r e f ac e to the Fir st E dit io n
I a m g r e a tly oblige d to M r C E B e nh a m of . . .
,

C ol c h e s t e r w h o l e nt m e t h e m a nu s c ript of h is
,

a bl e p a r a phr as e o f t h e po e m So m e of h is int e r
.

r e t a t io n s a r e qu o t e d i n m n t
p y o e s .

M y fri e nd M r B e e c hing s e dition of I n M e

’
.

m or ia m w a s not publi s h e d till m y wor k w a s

pra c ti c a lly c o m pl e te a n d p a rtly in typ e H is .

n a m e is m e nti o n e d wh e r e I h a ve m a d e c h a ng e s
or a ddition s a ft e r re ading his b o o k but I m ay ,

h a ve l e ft re fe r e n c e s t o t h e c o m m e nt a tors whi c h
‘

d o not a pply t o h im .

Fin a lly I o w e th a n k s to my fri e nd s M e s s rs

, .

M a c Le h o s e for t h e c a re with whi c h th e y h a v e

rint e d a troubl e s o m e m a n us c ript a n d to m a ny
p ,

o th e r fri e nds for h e l p giv e n to m e in p r e p a ri ng t h e

C o m m e nt a ry ; not l e a s t t o m y bro th e r in law t he - -

,

l a t e S ir Ge orge Grov e who brought to t he study

,

of t h e po e m th a t e nthu s i a s m a n d ge niu s in
a p pr e c i a tion to whi c h so m a ny th o u s a nd s of lov e r s
,

of m u s i c a re ind e bt e d Am ong s e ve ra l r eas ons

.

why I r e gr e t a l o ng d e l a y in t h e publi c ation of

m y boo k t h e c hi e f is th a t h e c a nn o t se e t h e pa ge s
t o whi c h h e w o uld h a v e giv e n s o e a ge r a we l c o me .

L ON D ON ,
M ay , 1 901 .
 P R E FA CE TO T HE S EC O N D E D IT I ON .

FO R this e dition n ot m a ny c h a ng e s h a v e b ee n
m a d e i n t h e I ntrodu c tion but a gr e a t m a ny i n
,

t h e C o mm e nt a ry . N ot e s or p a rts of note s on a
f e w lin e s h a v e b e e n o m itt e d a s n e e d l e ss
. I h av e
a dd e d e x pl a n a tions of oth e r p a ss a g e s whi c h I h a d

suppos e d to r e quire non e . A n d i n t h e not e s on

so me of th e sp e c i a lly troubl e s o m e lin e s I h a v e
m a d e a lt e ra tions or a dditions e ith e r to suppo rt
,

my Opinion or to show why I h a v e c h a ng e d it or

, ,

to m e ntion int e rpr e t a tion s whi c h without h a ving

,

c onvin c e d m e s e e m to m e n ot i m prob a bl e
, .W h e re
t h e n e w m a tt e r t a k e s t h e for m of a n ot e on t h e

old it is ofte n print e d within squ a r e b ra c k e t s .

For t h e c onv e ni e n c e of own e rs of t h e first e dition

’

I give a l ist of t h e p a ss a g e s wh e r e i m port a n t

c h a ng e s h a v e b e e n ma d e in t h e C o m me nt a ry ,

without noti c ing t h e m inor i m prov e me nts whi c h

o c c ur on a l m ost e v e ry p a g e : I I 1 1 1 2 ; I I I 6
.
, .
,
 P r e f ac e to the S ec o n d E d it io n
10 ; x 111 . 1 -4 ; x x 1v . 1 5
,
16 ; x x x rx , 8- 1 2 ;
X LI I I . 1 1, 12 X LI V .
4 ; X LV 9 . X LV I .
; LV I 2 8.

LXXX I ; Lx x x v . 1 01 Lxx x v r . 1 3 -
16 ; xcn . 1 3
x c r11 . 8
5 ; -
x cv . 6
3 , 37 ; x c v1 . 2 2 fit ; x 01x .
9 ;
c x v 11 1 . 16 ; c x 1x .
4 ; c x x 11 ; . cx x v . 2 .

For good m a ny of t h e a lt e ra tion s s o f a r m e n

a

t io n e d I a m ind e bt e d wholly or in p a rt to oth e rs , ,

.

I h a v e c onsult e d M r R obinson s e dition of t h e

’
.

po e m an d M r J ac o b s s Ten ny s on a n d I n M e
, .
’

m or ia rn M r H W Eve an d M r Wa lt e r La r de n
. . . . .

s e nt m e v a lu a bl e sugge s tions T w o r e vi e ws of .

m y first e dition h a v e b e e n of u s e to me in p r e

p a ring t h e s e c ond th a t o f Prof e ssor B

,
e e c hing i n
t h e Gu a r dia n of Se pt e m b e r 1 1 1 9 0 1 a n d th at of , ,

M r C e c il N o l a n Fe rr a l l i n t h e Week ly R egi s ter of

.

N o ve m b e r 2 9 1 9 01 ; a n d M r Fe rra ll h as a lso
, .

m os t k indly h e lp e d m e by giving m e his opinion

on a nu m b e r of doubtful p a s s a ge s T h e s e obliga .

tions a r e a c k nowl e dg e d in d e t a il in t h e not e s .

Fin a lly I o we t h a n k s not l e a st to t h e c o m me nt s

,

of s e v e r a l re l a tive s a n d fri e nds .

I n a ddition to th e s e c h a ng e s I h a v e c on s id e r
a bly in c r e a s e d t h e nu m b e r o f r e fe r e n c e s to p a ra ll e l

p ass age s A n d h e re I h a v e to th a n k for th e ir

.

h e lp s e ve ra l c orr e s p o nd e nts in c luding s o m e of ,

t h e p e rsons a lr e a dy m e ntion e d an d e s p e c i a lly t h e ,

Bi s hop of D e rry who l e nt m e his c opy of I n ,

xvii i P r e f ac e to th e S e c on d E dit io n
Lit e r a tur e should o f f e r to h is stud e nt s To
.

ab s tai n a l m ost wholly fro m lite ra ry dis c ussi o n

of a po e m a n d to dw e ll at l e ngth upon its most
,

o b s c ur e p a s s a g e s would b e I should s a y t h e v e ry
, , ,

’
w ay n ot to t e ac h lit e r a tur e .

ju n e
,
1 902 .
 CON T EN T S

P AG E

I NT R O DU CTION
C O M M ENTAR Y

C H A N G ES 1N T H E T EXT o r
‘
IN M E M O R I AM ’

AP P EN D IX
I NT R O D U CT I O N
 T h e O r igin o f In M e m o r ia m 3

C a m bridge h e b e ga n to r e a d for t h e b a r l iving ,

’
i n his fath e r s hous e in London ( 6 7 W i m pol e
Stree t ) I n t h e su mm e r of 1 8 3 3 h e m a d e a tou r
.

on t h e C ontin e nt with h is fa th e r ; a n d a t V i e nn a ,

on Se pt e m b e r 1 st h di e d v e ry sudd e nly a n d u n e x
,

e c t e d ly of a s tro k e of a popl e x y H is body w

p as .

brought by s e a fro m T ri e st e t o En gl ap d a n d wa s m ,

buri e d at C l e v e don on t h e B ristol C h a n n e l on

, ,

J a n u a ry 3 r d 1 8 3 4 ,; C l e v e don C ourt b e ing t h e

r e sid e n c e of Sir A br a h a m E lton B aron e t H a ll a m s , ,

’

gra nd fath e r on t he m oth e r s sid e ’

.

T h e po e m c ont a i ns r e fe r e n c e s to m a ny of th e s e
fac ts a n d a lso to so m e m a tt e rs not d ir ec tly c o n
,

n e c t e d with A rthur H a ll a m T hus t h e m a rri a g e .

tou r i n 1 8 3 6 of t h e po e t s broth e r C h arl e s wa s

, ,
’

t h e o c c a sion of s e c tion X C V I I I E d m un d Lushing .

ton w ,
h o b ec a m e Profe ssor of Gre e k a t Gl a s gow ,

w a s t h e fri e nd a dd re ss e d i n LXXXV an d the .

,

E pilogu e c e l ebrat e s his ma rri a g e with t h e po e t s ’

sist e r C ec ili a i n 1 8 4 2 T e n nyson s e a rly ho me

.
’

t h e r e c tory of So m e rsby h a l f w ay b e tw ee n H orn ,

-

c a stl e a n d S pilsby i n Lin c olnshire is r e fe rre d to ,

i n x x v 111 x x x LXXV I I I Lx x x rx x c v
.
-
.
,
.Th e
,
.
,
.

fa m ily l e ft So m e rsby i n 1 8 3 7 ( C a n d s e ttl e d .

a t H igh B ee c h E ppin g For e st ( C I V

,
.

T o d e s c rib e a c h a r ac t e r in lyri c a l v e rs e whi c h

s c rupulously avoid s pros a i c e x pre s sion s m ust b e
 In M e m or ia m
a most di f fi c ult t as k . P e rh aps
fe lt this T e nnyson ,

for t h e s e c tions of I n M emor ia m whi c h a tt e m pt

to fulfil it c o m e l a t e in t h e po e m a n d s e e m to
b e i ntrodu c e d c hi e fly in ord e r to portr a y c e rt a in
c h a r ac t e risti c s of t h e id e a l hu m a nity of t h e futur e .

N or c a n th ey b e s a id to c o nve y a vivid id ea of
A rthur H a ll a m to thos e who n e v e r s a w h im T h e .

c hi e f i m pr e s s ions l e ft by th e m a re of a v e ry
unusu a l c o m pl e t e n e ss of c h a ra c t e r of a n e qu a lly ,

r a re a b s e n ce of d e fe c ts an d of a pro mis e whi c h ,

s e e m e d to h is fri e nds a l most bound l e ss B ut t h e .

i m a ge is v agu e a n d th e re is s o m e e x c us e for tho s e

,

who judging me re ly fro m t he po e m h av e sus

, ,

e c t e d T e nnyson of gr ea tly ov e r e sti m a ting his

p
-

fri e nd T h e suspi c ion m a k e s littl e or no diffe r

.

e n c e to th e ir a ppr e c i a tion of I n M em or ia m but it ,

is prob a bly gro undl e ss Th e ac c ounts of A rthu r .

H a ll a m giv e n by his oth e r c ont e m pora ri e s c lo s e ly

’
re s e mbl e T e nnyson s T h e ir e sti m at e is t h e s a me ;
.

a n d to s ay th a t s i m il a r e sti m a t e s m ay b e found in

an y m e m oir of a pro m ising youth who di e d pr e

m ature ly is quit e u ntru e H is c oll e g e fri e nd s

.

‘
inv a ri a bly a gr ee d th a t it w as o f h im a bove a ll h is
c ont e m p o r a ri e s th a t gr e a t a n d lofty e x p ec t a tion s
1
w e re to b e for me d ’
His s c hool fe llows thought
.
-

l
R ema in s in Ver se an d P r ose f
i A r tlz u r H en ry Ha l/a m , New
Editi on , 1 8 63 .
6 In M e m o r iam
ex pl a in wh a t h as b e e n c riti c is e d a s t h e e x ce ssive
hu m ility of s o m e p a rts of I n M emor ia m .

O n e p a ss a g e in M r Gl a dston e s a rti c l e h as a
’
.

s p e c i a l int e r e s t wh e n pl a c e d sid e by sid e with t h e

s ec tion of I n M emor ia m whi c h d e s c rib e s H a ll a m s ’

prob abl e a ttitud e towa rds t h e politi c a l m ove me nt

of t h e ti m e I t is e vid e nt M r Gl a d
‘ ’
.
,

s ton e writ e s ,
‘
th a t t h e gr e a t an d s udd e n a ug m e nt a
tion of lib e rty i n a thous a nd for m s pl ac e s und e r
an a ggr a v a t e d s tr a in t h e b a l a n c e whi c h gov e rns

hu m a nity both in thought a n d c ondu c t A n d I .

h ave n e v e r k nown a m an who s e e m e d to m e

to po s s e ss a ll t h e nu m e rous a n d v a ri e d qu a li
fi c a t io n s r e quire d i n ord e r to m e e t t h e growing
d e m a nd a n d e v e n its full e st br e a dth i n a nything
, ,

li k e t h e m e a s ure in whi c h A rthur H a ll a m e x h i

’
bit e d th e s e budding n ay a lr e a dy flow e ring gifts
, ,
.

But T e nnyson writ e s of t h e d a ng e rs of politi c a l

progre ss a n d M r Gl a dston e h a s in vi e w thos e of
,
.

progr e s s in thought T h e s e a re ind e e d a llud e d

.
, ,

to in I n M emor ia m C X I V : but whil e t h e po e t

,
.

’
s e e m s to h a ve c onsid e r e d th a t H a ll a m s s ph e re
w a s l i k e ly to b e th a t of publi c life t h e st a t e s ma n
,

loo k e d to h is fulfilling a s i m il a r fun c tion a s a

writ e r on philo s ophy or th e ol o gy .

A n y e sti m a t e of t h e volu m e o f R ema in s would

l e a d us too f ar fro m ou r pu r po s e but a f e w ,
 T h e O r igin o f In M e m o r ia m 7

p a ss ag e s in it are of i m me di at e i nt e r e st to r e ad e rs
of T e nnyson So m e phr a s e s r ec a l l s i m il a r phr a s e s
.

i n his po e m s though we c a nnot s ay wh e th e r t h e

,

si m il a rity is d ue to c oin c id e n c e or to u n c on s c i o u s ,

r e m in is c e n c e on t h e p a rt of t h e po e t or e v e n to ,

t h e us e by H a ll a m of e x pr e ssion s c a ught fro m t h e

t a l k of his fri e nd T hus t h e lin e s ( p

. .

My o wn d ea r s i s t e r thy c a re e r
,

Is all b ef o r e th ee t/z or n a n a fl ow er
,
’
;

an d t he lin e s ( p .

Still am I f ree to c l os e h a ppy e y e s

my ,

An d pa in t upon t/te gl oom thy m i m i c f or m ,

r e c a ll I n M emor ia m X LV I 2 a n d LX X 2 ,
W he n .
,
. .

w e fi nd C h a u ce r d e s c rib e d a s our b ea utiful m orn

ing st a r w e r e m e mb e r th e op e ning st a nz a of t h e
-
’

D r ea m of Fa ir IVomen/ 1
T h e words th a t ind e e d
.
,

IS in t h e pow e r of God s e l ec tion with who m ’

a lon e r e st t h e a o y s m a l s ecr ets f p

o er s on a l ity ( p .

re m i nd u s of t h e words i n T/i e P a la ce of
A r t,
God, b ef o re wh om e v e r l ie b a r e
The a by s m a l d e e p s of P e r s o n a lity .

T e nnyson
’
s r e fe r e n c e s to the ea rly history of
1
I do n ot th a t n o on e h ad used
m ean t o i m ply th e phras e bf r
e o e.

It o ccurs , f or inst ance in D enham

, .
 In M e m o r ia m
t he ea rth a re p a ra ll e l e d by t he following l in e s to
Be n Lo m ond ( p 1 2 ) .

Oh , if thy dr ea d o rigin a l we r e n ot s un k
I th m y s t e ry o f univ e r s a l birth
’ ’
,

Wh a t joy t o k n o w thy t al e o f m ammoth s hug e ,

An d f o rm ing s r a r e o f t h e m a t e ri a l pri me ,

An d t e rribl e c r a t e r s c o ld a c y c l e s in c e "
,
1

Li k e t h e po e t too H a ll a m s ee m s to h av e h ad a
, ,

st r ong fee ling of t h e utt e r in s ign ific an c e of t he

e a rth in t h e i m m e ns e s c h e m e ( p
‘ ’
.

A s w e k now fro m t h e M emoir T e nnyson did ,

not by an y m e a ns fully sh a re his fri e nd s a ppre ’

h e n s io n s a bout t h e politi c a l futu re but so m e words ,

o f H a ll a m s (R ema in s p 1 4 4 ) m ight b e t a k e n a s a
’
-
.
,

c o mm e nt a ry on I n M em or ia m C XXV I I : Loo k ing ,

.

th e n to t h e lurid pr e s age s of t h e ti m e s th a t are

c o m ing ; b e li e vin g th a t a m idst t h e a wfu l c o mm o

tions of so c i e ty whi c h f e w of us do not e x p e c t

,

t h e disruption it m ay b e of thos e c o mm on bond s

, ,

whi c h hold toge th e r our so c i a l e x ist e n c e n ec e s ,

s ar ily follow e d by a n o c c urr e n ce on a l a rg e r s c a l e

of t h e s a m e thing s th a t w e re witn e ss e d i n Fr a n c e
forty y e a rs a go .

T h e two fri e nds m ust oft e n h a v e t a l k e d toge th e r

of th at b e li e f in lov e a s t h e c e ntra l m e a ning of
things whi c h with H a ll a m w as e vid e ntly pa rtly
1 ‘
Cycle ’
is comm on in Tennys o n ma t eri a l pri me ’
oc curs i
'

l e Two Voices .
 T h e O r igin o f In M em or ia m 9

d ue to his study of P l a to D a nt e an d P e tra r c h

, , ,

a n d whi c h too k a c urious sh a p e i n his Tneoclicwa

Novis s ima a n d su c h s e nt e n ce s a s t h e following

an d th e r e a r e not a f e w of t h e k ind ) h a v e m u c h
(
of t he spirit of p a rts of I n M emor ia m : B ut it ‘

w a s not in s c a tt e r e d sonn e ts th a t t h e whol e m ag

1

n ific e n c e f th a t id ea c ould b e m a n ife st e d whi c h

o ,

re pr e s l ov e as a t on ce t h e b a s e an d t h e pyra
m id a l of t h e e ntir e u n iv e rs e a n d t eac h e s u s
,

to r e g a rd t h e e a rthly u nion of souls n ot as a ,

thing a c c id e nt a l tra n sitory a n d d e p e nd e nt on t h e

, ,

c ondition of hu m a n so c i e ty but with f ar high e r

,

i m port a s t h e b e st an d t h e a ppoint e d sy m bol of

,

our r e l a tions with Go d a n d th ough th e m of his

’
,
r ’
own in e ffa bl e e ss e n c e ( p 1 .
1 T his id e a is i n
‘
,

i
e ss e nti a ls
,
t h e s am e a s th a t s c le mn id ea whi c h
‘

a lon e solv e s t h e e n ig m a of our fee lings a n d whil e ,

it suppli e s a m e a n in g to c ons c i e n c e e x pl a in s t h e ,

d e stin ation of m an ( p 1 7 0 Th e stud ent of I n

’
. .

M emor ia m will fi nd it worth whil e to r e a d t h

whol e p a ss a g e down to p 1 7 .

I do not int e nd to i m ply by th e s e r e ma r k s th at ,

of t h e two fri e nd s H a ll a m h ad t he m or e origin a l

,

a n d i nflu e nti a l m ind We h av e littl e e vid e n c e

.
,

a n d it is qu it e possibl e th a t m a ny of t h e id e a s i n

t h e R ema in s w e r e not m e r e ly c o m m on to t h e two ,

1
H e is ref erring to D a nt e .
10 In M em o r iam
but p a ss e d fro m T e nnyson to H a ll a m . What
s ee m s n e a rly c e rt a in is th a t H a ll a m was m ore
in c lin e d to philosophi ca l a n d th e ologi c a l sp ec ul a
tion th a n h is fri e nd th e n wa s a n d m u c h m or e
,

in c lin e d to for m ul a t e th e r e sults of su c h Sp e c ul a

tion th a n T e nnyson e v e r b e ca me .
 THE C O M P O S IT I O N O F I N M E M ORI A M .

W H EN wa s I n J Wemor ia m writt e n ? W e k now

th a t its o c c a sion w as t h e d e a th of A rthur H a ll a m
i n 1 8 3 3 a n d th a t it wa s publish e d fi rst i n
,

D o w e k now a nythin g of t h e d a t e of i ts c o mposi

tion b e yon d t h e fa c t th a t it c a m e into b e ing
during thos e s e v e nt e e n y e a rs ?
I n c onsid e ring this qu e s tion we m ust b e on ou r
gu a rd a g a i nst infe r e n c e s dr a wn fro m wh a t m ay b e
c a ll e d t h e in t e rn a l c hronology of t h e po e m It .

will b e shown pr e s e ntly th a t t he a uthor a l m ost

c e rt a inly int e nd e d to prod u c e t h e i m pr e ssion th a t

t h e 1 3 1 s e c tions c ov e r a p e riod of a bout thr e e

y e ars . B ut I n M emor ia m is a po e m n ot a n ‘
,

’
a c tu a l biogr a phy T h e po e t who sp ea k s i n its
.

l
With out se cti on s x x x xx . an d LI X . of th e present t e x t . Sec
n ot es on th ese.
12 In M e m or ia m
v a rious s ec tions is not pre c is e ly t h e s a me p e rson
a s t h e a uthor who c o m po s e d an d a rr a ng e d th e m .

A n d i f t h e l a tt e r thought it w e ll to c onv e y t h e
’
id e a th a t t h e progre ss of sorrow portray e d in his
wor k was c o m pl e t e within a c e rt a in ti me this giv e s ,

us no grou nd for supposing th a t t h e li k e progre ss

i n his own life w a s of t h e s a m e dura tion an d still ,

l es s f o r i magining th a t t h e d a t e s of t he c o mposi
tion of t h e v a riou s s e c tions c orr e s pond to t h e posi
tion s o f thos e s e c tions i n t h e i nt e rn a l c hronology
of thre e y e a rs .

T urning th e n to t h e e vid e n c e we fi nd t h e fol

,

lowing indi c a tions

( )
1 S ta temen ts as t o d a te o
y Ten ny s on lz ims elf .

( )
a Th e P rologu e is d a t e d 1 8 49 .

o
( ) T h e E pilogu e (9 1 0 ) ,
c ont a in s a dir e c t
st a t e m e n t whi c h c a n not r e fe r to t h e int e rn a l
A ft e r a n a llusion to t h e d a r k day
’
c hronol o gy
‘
.

of his fri e nd s d e a th t h e po e t go e s on
’

Th o ’
I sin c e th en h av e n umb e r d ’
o er
’

Som e thri c e thr ee y ea r s .

T hi s giv e s t h e d at e as a bout 1 8 4 2 a n d thi s w as,

t h e y e a r o f t h e m a rri a g e of E d m und Lushington

with C e c ili a T e nny s on whi c h t h e po e t hi m s e lf

, ,

s ays wa s t h e o c c a sion of his E pilogu e

,
.

“
( )
c I n a l e tt e r to A ubr ey d e V e re T e nnyson ,

”
writ e s : W ith re sp e c t to t h e E l e gi e s I c an not ,
 In M e m o r ia m
Fa ir ship th a t f ro m th e I t ali a n sh o re ( 1X ) .

W ith trem bling fing e rs did w e w ea ve (X X X ) .

Wh e n La z aru s l ef t h is c h arn e l c a ve ( XXXI ) .

T hi s truth c a m e b o rn e with bi e r a n d p all ( Lx x x v) l

I t dr a w e th n ea r t h e birth o f C hri s t ( x x v111 n o w .

,

T h e ti m e dra w s
‘

th a t t h e e a rli e s t j o ttings of t h e
‘
e e w e re “
E l gi s
b e gun i n 1 8 3 3 an d th a t t h e s e c tions j ust n a m e d

whi h I pr e su m e a r e t h e e a rli e st j otting s

( c , ,
a re

fou nd i n a m a nus c ript boo k c ont a in ing a lso t h e

e a rli e s t v e rsion of Tb e Tw o Voices whi c h was
‘
,

b e gun u nd e r t h e c loud of this ov e rwh e l ming

2 ’
s orrow .

b
( ) I t is a l s o st a t e d th a t t h e s ec tions of I n
‘

M emor ia m a bout E voluti o n h ad b e e n r e a d by

s on s ] fri e nd s s o m e y e a rs b e fore t h e publi
’

[ T e nny
Ves t iges of Cr ea tion i n 1 8 4 4
’
c a tion of th e

( ib . U nfortun a t e ly t h e s ec ti o ns a r e not

1
reader reme mb ers th at th i s is th e retrospective se cti on of
I f th e
th irty s tanzas address ed to Edmund Lush ingt on h e will b e startl ed ,

t o l earn it s d a t e Certa inly if w e h ad only intern al evidence to

.
,

rely o n a s uggestion th a t th is po em wa s writt en soon af ter

,

Hallam s death would b e considered almost absurd ; s ee f or

’
,

instance lines 6 1 ff I t is diflic ul t n o t to su spect th at th e secti on

,
.
‘
,

as w e h ave it h as b een gr eatly ch an ged ; o r e ven t h a t th e fi rs t

,

s ta nza al on e is e arly O b serve th e break be tween t h a t s t an a n d

. z a

th e s econd .

”M emoir , I . 1 09 , 2 97 ; cf . 1 39 . Th e li k en e ss of so m e of th e
idea s an d ex pressi ons in secti ons XL III .
- XLVI I . an d in Til e Tw o
Voices may b e s igni fi cant .
 T h e C o m po sm o n o f In M e m o r ia m 15

sp ec ifi e d ; bu t LV LV I C XV I I I .
,
.
, .
,
an d C XX I I I . are

pre su ma bly a m ong th e m .

(3) S ta temen ts f ro m w b icb da tes m ay be in

f er r ed . r E ith
fro m e t h e M em oir o r fro m a u t h o r i

Ga t ty s Key w e g a in t h e
’
t a t iv e ins e rtions i n

following r e sults .

( )
a S e c tion X C V I I I r e f e rs to a n e.v e nt of 1 8 36 ,

t h e m a rri a g e tour of C h a rl e s T e n nyson a n d his

-

brid e .

( )
b S e c tion s C C I I I a. llud
-
e to t h e . r e m ov a l of
t h e T e nnyson s fro m So m e rsby i n 1 8 3 7 .

( )
c S e c tions C IV V a llud e to
. th
-
e
. ir n e w ho me
a t H igh B e e c h E pping For e st ,
.

S s writt e n a t B a r m outh
( )
d e c tion L XXXV I w a .
,

an d T e n nyson w a s a t B a r m outh in 1 8 3 9 whil e ,

t h e M em oir do e s n o t I thin k m e ntion a n y pr e

'

, ,

1
v io u s visit to th a t pl a c e .

e) E d m u nd
’

( L u s h in gt on s not e s r e fe rring to ,

C hrist m as 1 8 4 1 c ont a in t h e st at e me nt ; t h e
,
‘

nu m b e r of t h e m e m ori a l po e m s h ad r a pidly in
c re a s e d sin c e I h ad s e e n t h e po e t his boo k ,

c ont a inin g m a ny th a t w e r e n e w to m e
’

; an d he
a pp e a rs to h a v e s e e n t h e po e t l a st i n t h e su mm e r

of 1 8 4 0 (M emoir I 2 0 1 ,
.H e m e ntions V I , .

1
No r h
ve I f ound an y ref e rence in th e M emoir b ef ore 1 844 to a
a

visit t o Gl oucest ersh ire w h ich T ennyson m e ntion s am ong th e l oca li

,

ti es in wh ich th e poem s were writte n ( M emoir I , .

16 In M e m o r ia m
as though it w e r e o n e of th e s e n e w po e ms a n d ,

h e s a ys th a t LI w as just c o m pos e d ‘ ’
. .

(f ) E v e n a ft e r 1 8 4 1 n e w s ec tions s e e m to
'

h av e b ee n a dd e d for Lushington s ays th a t in

,

1 8 4 5 T e nnyson show e d [him] thos e po e m s of

‘

I n M emor ia m whi c h w e re finish e d a n d whi c h w e r e

a pe rfe c tly nov e l s urpris e to an d t h e

words h e h a d th e n c o m pl e t e d m a ny of t h e
,
‘

c a ntos i n I n M emor ia m would n atura lly i m ply ’

,

th at oth e r c a ntos a re l a t e r th a n 1 8 4 5 ( ib .

m s l e y s M em or ies
(g)
’
I t would a pp e a r fro R a w n

of t b e T en ny s on s p a g e 1 2,
1 th a t C XX I w a s com ,
.

pos e d shortly b e fore t h e publi c a tion o f I n

M emor ia m .

(4 ) I n dica tion s in p p a tb c
ss a g e s oe m . A f ew
s e e m not quit e c onsist e nt with t h e int e rn a l
c hronology a n d th e s e m ay point to a c o m p a ra
,

t ive ly l a t e d a t e of c o m position ( )
a S e c tion L XV I I I . .

’
r e fe rs to t h e poe t s gri e f a s t h e troubl e of his
y ou ”:

tr oubl e of m y y outh
I t is th e
T h at f ooli s h s l ee p tra n s f e r s t o th ee .

b
( ) T h e s e c tion whi c h d e s c rib e s t h e vi s it to
C a mbridge (LXXXV I I ) an d c ontra sts t he boys ,

th a t c ra sh d t h e gl ass a n d b e a t t h e floor with t he

’

1
He writ es as th ough h e h ad seen none of th e po ems bef ore 1 84 5.

a word li k e j ust have b een omitt ed bef ore fini sh ed

’
Can ‘
 T h e C o m posit io n o f In M e m o r ia m 17

fri e nds who on c e h e ld d e b a t e i n t h e s a m e ro o m ,

s ee m s to i m ply a c onsid e r a bl e l a ps e of ti m e sin c e

t h e po e t s C a m bridg e d a ys ( )
’
c T h e p a th e ti c lin e.s

i n XC .
,

Ah cl ea r but c o m e th o u b ac k t o m e
,

W h a t e v e r c h a nge t h e y e ar s h ave wr ought ,

findI n ot y et on e l on ely th ought

T h a t c rie s a ga in s t my wi s h f or th ee ,

an d d
( ) t h e phr as e i n CX I X thin k of ea rly d ays .
,

a pp e a r to point i n t h e s a m e dir e c tion

’
a n d th ee ,

a s do e s ( e) t h e ton e of a good m a ny of t h e c o n

c luding s e c tions of I n M emor ia m I n a ddition it .

m ay b e obs e rv e d (f ) th a t wh e re a s e c tion shows ,

a ma r k e d r e s e m bl a n c e i n id e a or phra s e to a
p a ss ag e in Tb e P r in cess this m ay b e
signifi ca nt a s to d a t e a n d ( g ) th a t i f t h e r e s e m
, ,

bl a n c e in X LI to a p a ss age in Z a n on i is not a
.

c oin c id e n c e th a t s e c tion m ust b e as l at e a s 1 8 4 2

,
~

O n t he oth e r h a nd in t he P rologu e we h av e t he,

lin e s whi c h i n stri c tn e ss should r e fe r to t h e whol e

,

po e m ,

F o rgiv e th e s e wild an d w and e ring c ri e s ,

C on f u s i o n s of a w a s t e d y outh ;
an d the E pilogu e ( 1 84 2 ) sp e a k s of th a t c h ang e
W hi c h m ak e s a pp ea r th e ng s I ma d e
so

As ec h oe s out of w eak e r ti m e s ( 2 1 ,

Our r e sults it m ust ,

he c onfe ss e d ,
a re m e a gre .

B
18 In M em or ia m
We k now th at rt a in s ec tions we re writt e n soon
ce

a ft e r A rthur H a ll a m s d e a th
’
We h a v e good
.

grou nds for b e li e vin g th at c e rt a in oth e rs b e long

to t h e y e a rs 1 8 3 6 3 7 -
O n e or two w e c a n
.

d at e a bout 1 8 4 0 an d we h av e r ea son to
,

thin k th a t a good m a ny fa ll b e tw e e n th a t
y e a r a n d t h e publ i c a tion of t h e po e m But t h e .

n a tura l infe r e n c e fro m t h e words in t h e Prologu e

an d t h e E pilogu e is th a t t h e bul k of I n M emor ia m

b e long s t o a ti me s e p a r a t e d by so me dist a n c e
fro m 1 8 4 9 a n d e v e n fro m 1 8 4 2 B e yond this
.

w e c a nnot go . W e h av e no right to a ssu m e th a t

a s e c tion whi c h c o m e s e a rly in t h e po e m w a s

writt e n e a rly or th a t a s e c tion whi c h c o me s l at e

,

w as writt e n l a t e ; though w e c a n h a rdly h e lp

thin k ing it i m prob abl e th a t m a ny of t h e l a st
thirty or forty s ec tions w e re c o m pos e d within a
f e w ye a r s of H a ll a m s d ea th
’
N or is ou r ign o r
.

a n c e of t h e l e a st c ons e qu e n c e for t h e und e rst a nd

ing of t h e po e m . W h a t is of c on s equ e n ce is
t h e ord e r in whi c h t h e s e c tions now st a nd For .

a lthough t h e po e t d id not writ e th e m with a

‘

Vi e w of w eaving th e m into a whol e h e found th a t ,

’

wh e n th e y w e re writt e n th e y we re c ap a bl e of
b e ing thus wov e n into a whol e ; a n d it s e e m s
qu it e c l e a r th a t h e e nd e a v o ur e d by a rr a nge me nt
,

a n d prob a bly by writing n e w pi e c e s to giv e t h e ,

 T h e C o m po sit io n o f In M em or ia m 19

c oll e c tion a c e rt ain a m oun t of d e fi nite a n d sig u i

fic a n t stru c tur e .Th e r e sult i s th a t I n M emori a m ,

though not o n e po e m a s Ly cida s is o n e po e m is ,

m or e th a n m e r e Fr a g m e nts of an E l e gy ( t h e titl e
‘ ’

on c e thought of by t h e a uthor M em oir I , , .

a n d j ustifi e s t h e n a m e by whi c h h e so m e ti m e s

r e fe rre d to it Th e Wa y of t h e Soul ( ib
,
‘ ’
.

T o fa il to obs e rv e t h e c h a ng e s i n this W ay is to
m i s s a gr e a t p a rt of t h e m e a ning an d b e a uty of
I n M emor ia m .
 T H E ST R U C T U R E O F I N M E M ORI A M

I . T H E m ost
obvious sign of d e finit e stru c tu r e
in I n M emor ia m c onsists in t h e int e rn a l c hrono
logy an d it will b e w e ll to b e gin by m a k ing this
,

c l ea r .

T e nnyson 1
hi m s e l f t e lls u s (M emoir I 3 0 5) , .

th a t t he divisions of t h e po e m a re m a d e by t h e
C hrist m a s tid e s e c tions ( XXV I I I LXXV I I I
-
.
,
.
,

T h a t t h e fi rst of th e s e r e fe rs to t h e fi rst C hri s t m as

a ft e r t h e d e a th of th e fri e n d in a utu m n is e vid e n t

fro m x x x 1 4 1 6 ,
-

W e s ung ,
th o
’
e very ey e wa s d im,
A m e rry so ng we sa ng with h im
2
La s t y ea r

1
will b e understood th at gen erally both in th is I ntroducti on
It ,

an d in th e Not es when I s pe ak o f th e po et I m ean th e poe t

,
‘ ’

wh o s pe ak s in t h e p oem I re f er to th e a uth or wh o c ompos ed

.

th e po e m as T ennyson or th e auth or
‘ ’ ‘ ’
.

2
Th es e lin es a r e de c i s ive an d t h e ir evid enc e is n ot w eak en ed
,

by th e f act that some poems ref erring to th e buria l preced e th is

 In M e m or ia m
un m ist a k a bl e indi c a tion s of t h e int e rn a l
Th e
c hronology a r e shown i n t h e following t a bl e

Se cti on X I . Ea rly Autu m n .

xv . La t e r .

x x v111 - x x x . . C hri s t mas tide .

x x x vu I . ix
-
. s pri ng .

LXXII . A nniv e r s a ry .

LXXVIII . C hri s t m a s tide .

LXXXI II . D e l aying Spring

LXXXVI LXXXVIII .
, . Spring .

Lx x x i x x c v x c vru .
,
.
, . Su m m e r .

X C IX . Annive rs a ry .

CIV .
, CV . C hri s tm as tide .

C VI . New Ye ar ’
s D ay .

c v11 . W inte r .

cxv .
, c x vr . Spring .

A g a inst th e s e indi c a tions t he r e s ee m s nothing

a ll

to b e s e t ex ce pt t h e f e w p a ss a ge s a lr e a dy n ot e d ,

wh e r e a phra s e or t he ton e of a s e c tion a pp ea rs to

b e not quit e in h a r m ony with this int e rn a l c hrono
logy T h a t th e s e pass age s are so f e w is a proof
.

of t h e c a re t a k e n by t h e a uthor to pre s e rv e t h e
c l ea rn e ss an d c onsist e n c y of t h e s c h e m e An d it .

is u ndoubt e dly of us e in giving t h e outlin e s of a

s tru c tur e to t h e po e m a n d of still gr e a t e r use in ,

providing b ea utiful c ontra sts b e tw ee n t he s ec tions

whi c h d e a l with t h e r e c urring s e asons an d a nni
v e rs a r ie s ; though it is so m e wh at u nfortun a t e th a t

1
T h a t thi s is n ot a New Y ea rs
’
D ay po em is s h o wn in th e
Not es .
 T h e S t r u c t ur e o f In M e m o r ia m 23

t he cont e nts of s o m e of t h e fin a l s e c tion s i mply

a gr e a t e r dist a n c e of ti m e fro m t h e op e ning of ,

t h e s e ri e s th a n is sugg e st e d by t h e c hronologi c a l

s c h e me .

I I I f w e d e s c rib e i n t h e m ost g e n e ra l t e r m s
.

t h e m ov e m e nt of thought an d fe e ling i n I n
M em or ia m t h e d e s c ription will b e found to a pply
,

a lso to Ly cid a s or A don a is I n e ac h c as e th e

.

gri e f of t h e op e ning h as p a ss e d a t t h e c l o s e into

triu m ph : a t fi rst t h e thin k s onl y of loss
an d de a
vision of a n ew r an d
e a t e r life But in L id
g y c
. a s

a n d A d on a is this c h a ng e is e x pr e ss e d in o n e c o n

t in uo us str a in a n d ,
M . ”

to O c c upy but a f ew hou rs of c on c e ntr a t e d e x pe r i

en ce i a n d in A don a is e sp e c i a lly t e i m pr e ssion Of
fi

p a ssion a t e r a pidi ty i n t h e tr a nsition fro m gloo m

to glory is e ss e nti a l to t h e e ff e c t I n I n M emor ia m
.

a si m il a r c h a ng e is Suppos e d to fill a p e riod of

an d di f fi c ult a dv a n c e is n o l e ss e ss e nti a l I t is .

c o n ve y e d of c ours e n o t only by t h e indi c a tions of

"'

, ,

ti me whi c h h a v e j ust b e e n c onsid e re d but by t h e ,

m e re fa c t th a t ea c h of t h e 1 3 1 s e c tions is in a ,

s e ns e a po e m c o m pl e t e in its e l f a n d ac c ordingly
,

fe lt to b e t h e e x pre ssion of t h e thought of

p a rti c ul a r ti m e .
 24 In M e m o r ia m
I n m a ny s
c a es , howe v e r w e s oon obs e rve th a t
,

a singl e s ec ti o n is not re a lly thu s ind e p e nd e nt

of its pre d e c e ss o r a n d su c c e ss o r O n t h e c ontra ry
.

s o m e a re s c a r c e ly int e lligibl e if t a k e n in isol a tion

a n d a g a in an d a g a in w e dis c ov e r group s whi c h

h av e o n e subj e c t a n d in whi c h t h e singl e s e c tions
,

a r e d e vot e d to v a rious a sp e c ts of this o n e subj e c t .

Th e po e t i n his progre ss h as c o m e upon a c e rt a in

thought whi c h o c c u pi e s h im for a ti me a n d is
,

d e v e lop e d through a s e ri e s of st age s or c ontr a st e d

with a nu m b e r of oth e r thoughts A n d e v e n in
.

c a s e s wh e r e w e c a nnot tr ac e su c h a c los e c onn e c

tion in thought w e oft e n find th at s e ve ra l c o n

s e c ut ive s ec tions ar e bound tog e th e r an d s e p a r a t e d
,

fro m t h e po e ms th a t su rround th e m by a_co mm o n

, _

ton e of fe e ling . T h e s e groups or c lust e rs c orre

s po n d with singl e p a r a gr a phs of Ly cida s ,
or w it h
s ingl e s t a nz a s or grou p s of st anz a s in A don a is ;

an d th e ir pr e s e n ce for m s a s e c o nd m ea ns b y
l.
whi c h a c e rt a in a mount of s tru c tu re is give n to
t h e po e m .

T h e r e a r e m a ny r e a d e rs of I n M em or ia m who
h a ve n e v e r r ea d t h e po e m through but prob a bly
,

e v e ryo ne who h as don e so h as r e c ogn is e d to so m e

e x t e nt t h e e x ist e n c e of groups . E v e ryon e r e m a r k s

,

for in s t a n c e th at n e a r t h e b e ginning th e r e a r e a
,

nu mb e r of s e c tions r e fe rring to t h e c o m ing of t h e

 T h e S t r u c t ur e o f In M e m o r ia m 2 5

an dth a t th e re a re oth e r c on s e c utiv e p o e m s

d ea l But p e rh aps f e w
M u m s— M

r e a d e rs a r e a w a re of t h e l a rge“part pl ay e d by th e s e
.

‘ N ‘ J u g i)

grou p s T he fac t is th a t t a k e n toge th e r th ey

.
, ,

the po e m ; a n d m this e sti m a t e n o noti c e h as

b e e n t a k e n of m e r e p airs of c on n e c t e d s e c tions ,

su c h a s x x ; X LV I I I X LI X ; LV I I LV111 ;
. .
, . .
, .

CXV C XV I ; or of p a rts of t h e po e m wh e r e t h e
.
,
.

s ec tions though n ot so c los e ly c on n e c t e d a s to

,

for m a distin c t grou p a re y e t ma n i fe stly unit e d i n

,

a loos e r w ay If th e s e a ddition s ar e m a d e to ou r
.

e sti m a t e i t will b e fou nd to i n c lud e n e a r ly“ 1 00

, fi t fi n fl

po e m s ou t of t h e t o t al o f ‘ v -n

O f t h e re ma i n i ng s e c tion s ( a ) a s ma ll nu mbe r
m
m ay prop e rly b e c a ll e d o gggsio n al p ge sL t h o ugh g

t h e p o s itions whi c h th e y o c c u py i n t h e whol e a r e

a lw a y s m or e or l e ss signifi c a nt Su c h a r e LXXXV I I
‘

. .
,

whi c h d e s c rib e s t h e visit to C a m bridg e ; X CV I I I .

,

’
on t he broth e r s tou r to V i e nn a ; t h e long r e tro
s pe c t iv e po e m LXXXV or t h e po e m on H a ll a m s ’

,
.

— ’

birthd ay C V I I ( b) O th e rs a t o n ce r e m ind us of
,
.

pr e c e din g s e c tion s sugg e st e d by a li k e o c c a sion ,

a n d in this w a y bring ho m e to us t he c h a nge

whi c h h as t a k e n pl a c e in t h e po e t s m ind during ’

t h e i nt e rv a l T h e C hrist m a s p o ems are t h e m ost

.
.

pro m in e nt inst a n c e ; t h e l at e r spring po e m s r e c a l l

 In M e m o r ia m
the
’
ea rli e r ; t h e s e c ond R is e s t thou thus brings
b a c k t h e first ; t h e two s e c ti o ns b e ginn ing D a r k ,

’
hous e a n d t he two po e m s on t h e Y e w tre e for m
,
-
,

si m il a r p a irs ( c) La stly we find th a t t h e s e c tions

.
,

whi c h i m m e di at e ly follow c on n e c t e d groups are

oft e n of o n e a n d t h e s a m e k ind T h e s ubj e c t .

whi c h h as o c c upi e d t h e poe t s thoughts b e ing dis ’

m iss e d th e re follows a k ind of r e a c tion

,
H e loo k s .

inw a rd an d b e c o m e s m or e k e e nly c on s c ious of t he

,

fee l ing fro m whi c h his a tt e ntion h a d b e e n for t h e

ti m e d ive rt e d (e g or of th e fee ling in
. .

whi c h his thoughts h av e c ul m in a t ed (eg . .

N ot s e ldo m this fee l ing sugge st s to him so me

r e fl e c ti o n on his own songs his s inging c o m forts
h im o n his dr e a ry w a y or h e fee ls th a t it is of n o
,

av a il or th a t it e x pr e ss e s nothin g of h is d e e p e st
,

gri e f
. A n d not only thus a t t he c los e of
groups but a t v a rious oth e r points throughout
,

I n M em or ia m th e re o c c u r s ec tions i n whi c h t h e
p o e t s songs for m t h e subj e c t pointing b a c k wards
’
-
,

an d forw a rd s to o n e a noth e r a n d showing t he ,

c h a ng e whi c h p a s s e s ov e r h is m ind as ti m e go e s

on ( e g v x x 1 LV 111
. . .
, .
,
I n th e s e v a riou s
.
,

w ays a s w e ll a s by th e pr e s e n c e of d e finit e grou ps

, ,

so m e k ind of c onn e c tion is e st a bli s h ed be t w e e n

s e c tion a n d s ec tion a l m ost throughout t h e whol e
of t h e po e m .
 The S t ruc t ure of In M emo r ia m

III . We
n ow in a position to ob s e rv e t h e
a re

stru c tur e of this whol e r e s e rving for t h e C o m

,

m e nt a ry t h e full e r c h a r ac t e ris a tion of p a rti c ul a r

p a rts .

Th e Way of t h e Sou l w e find to b e a

‘ ’

gri e f through a growing a c qui e s c e n ce

,
ft e n dis o

t u r b e d by t h e r e c u rr e n c e o f p a in to a n a l m ost ,

an d jy
o Th e a nguish . of
wound e d lov e p ass e s into t h e triu m ph of love
ov e r sorrow ti m e a n d d e a th
,
Th e s o ul a t fi .
,

a l m ost sun k i n t h e fe e ling of loss finds its e l f a t ,

l ast fr e e d fro m r e gr e t a n d y e t stre ngth e n e d in

a ff e c tion I t pi n e s n o long e r for t h e v a nish e d
.

h a nd a n d sil e n t voi ce ; it is fill e d with t h e c o n

s c io u s n e s s O f u nion with t he s pirit Th e world
m
.
,

whi c h o n c g fl e ec ho of its
h a s b e c o m e t h e a bod e of th at i m m ort a l
Lov e a t on c e divi n e a n d hu m a n whi c h i n c lud e s
, ,

t h e living an d t h e d e a d .

I s it po s s ibl e to fi nd in this W a y a n y tu rning

n a tion rous e s t h e po e t fro m IS sorrow ,

an

e str a in sudd e nly r i s e s

m a tion ,

h e is n ot d e ad ,
he d o th n ot
2 8 In M e m o r ia m
If so, I n M em or ia m m ay b e on sid e re d to fa l l
c

into t w o fa i r ly d istin c t p a rts though t h e d ividing,

lin e would not n e c e ss a rily c o m e a n y more th a n in ,

A don a is a t t h e c e ntr e of t h e po e m
,
.

I t m ight s ee m n a tur a l to t a k e t h e long s e c tion

LXXXV as . m a r k ing s u c h a lin e of divi s ion for ,

h e re t h e p o e t hi m s e lf loo k s b a c k ov e r t h e w ay h e
h as tra v e rs e d a n d wh e n h e r e n e ws his journ e y t h e
,

bitt e rn e s s of gri e f s e e m s to h a v e l e ft h im But .

t h e p a ssing a way of this bitt e rn e ss h as b e e n

a lr e a dy c l e a rly obs e rv a bl e b e for e s e c tion LXXXV .

is r e a c h e d a n d t h e c h an g e of ton e a ft e r th a t
,

s e c tion do e s not s e e m su f fi c i e ntly d e c id e d to

justify us i n r e g a rding it a s a c e ntra l point in t h e
wh o l e .

M or e t e m pting would b e a propos a l to c o n

s id e r s e c tion LV I I a s m a r k ing t h e c e ntr e of I n
.

M emor ia m I n th e s e v e r s e s t h e m ost troubl e d

.

an d p as sion a t e p a rt of t h e po e m r e a c h e s t h e
.

ac m e of a c li m a x whil e a ft e r th e m th e re is on
, ,

t h e whol e a s t e a dy a dv a n c e tow a rds a c qui e s ce n c e

,
.

But i n r e a lity t h e d i s tr e ss whi c h c ul m in a t e s in

s e c tion LV I I is c h a ra c t e ri s ti c only of t h e g
. roup
whi c h c los e s with th a t s e c tion it is n ot a d istre s s
whi c h h as d e e p e n e d fro m th e out s e t of t h e poe m ;
ind e e d ma ny to k e ns of adva n c e h av e b ee n visibl e
,

be for e th a t group is r e ac h e d a n d th e m a in dirc e ,

 In M e m or ia m
an d sin c e he s ays th a t t h e d ivisions of I n
M em or ia m a r e m a d e by t h e C hrist m as s e c tions
’

At t h e s a me ti m e it i s qu e stion a bl e wh e th e r t he
tr a nsition a t s e c tion LXXV I I I is so m a r k e d a s to .

stri k e a r e ad e r who wa s not loo k ing for signs of

tra nsition ; a n d this b e ing so it would s e e m to
, ,

b e a m ist a k e to r e g a rd I n M emor ia m a s a po e m
whi c h li k e A don a is shows a d ividing lin e c l e a rly
, ,

s e a r a t ir
p
'

j pn e p a rt of t h e whol e fro m t h e oth e r .

I t s m a i n m ov e m e nt is r e a lly o n e of a dv a n c e
a l m ost fro m t h e first though t h e a dv a n c e is for
,

a long ti me v e ry slow .

Fa lling b ac k th e n on t h e divi s ions point e d out

, ,

by t h e a uthor we m ay a tt e m pt to c h a r ac t e ri s e t h e
,

four p a rts into whi c h t h e po e m will fa ll t o s how ,

t h e grou ps c ont a in e d in e ac h a n d to indi c a t e t h e

,

prin c ip a l c h a ng e s i n t h e c ours e of id e a s thro ugh

whi c h t h e m ind of t h e po e t m ov e s .

PA RT I .
‘

To THE FI R ST C H R IST M AS .

XXV II
S ECT I O NS I .
—
.

Th e g e n e ra l ton e of thi s p art whi c h is s up ,

pos e d to c ov e r a sp ac e of a bout thre e m on ths ,

is th a t of a b s o rption in gri e f ; but t h e po e t

gra du a lly ris e s fro m m e r e s uff e r ing to a c l e a re r
c onvi c tion th a t

b e tt e r
T is
’
to h a ve l ov e d an d lo st
T h an ne v e r t o h av e l ov e d a t all ,
 T h e S tr uc t u r e o f In M e m or ia m 31

an d th at lov e m ay an d ou ght to su rviv e t h e , ,

loss of t h e be lov e d T h e r e is throughout .

a n y r e fe r e n ce to t h e c onti nu e d e x ist e n c e of t h e

lost fri e nd .

T his p a rt c ont a in s two distin c t g rou ps "

( )
1 S e c tions I X XV I I ( or r e fe rring .to th e
-
.

c o m ing of th e ship ( or to this a n d to t h e buri a l

) .

( )
2 S e c tion s XX I I XXV a r e trosp e c t of t he .
-
.
,

ye ars of fri e ndship .

PA RT . _ II .To H E SE C ON D C H R IST M AS
T .

S TI ON S XXV III LXXV II

EC .
—
.

T his p a rt o f t h po m he h ar so m e m r k d
e as a e c

a c t e r is t ic s ( )
a Fro m. b e ginning to e n d t h e id e a

of t h e c ontinu e d life of t h e d e ad is pro m in e nt .

_ ,

f a r more pro m in e n t th a n i n an y of t h e oth e r

thr e e p a rts ( )
b I t is through
. r e fl e c tion on this
id ea a n d on t h e probl e m s sugg e st e d by it th a t
t h e po e t win s hi s w ay forw a rd ; so th a t this is

t h e p a rt of I n M emor ia m whi c h c ont a ins m ost

s e m i philosophi c sp e c ul a tion
-
( )
c H e n ce thi s .

p a rt c onsists a l most wholly of d istin c t groups

with int e rv e ning s ec tion s a n d th e r e a r e but f e w ,

o c c a s ion a l po e m s ’
.

1
H r
e e , as in a f ew o th er cases it , is a matt er of doub t an d even
,

of in difl e r en c e, wh i ch cti ons group is b est t ak en

'

at of t wo se th e

to c l os e .
 In M e m or ia m
Th e following bri e f a n alysis of t h e groups will
i ndi c a t e t h e c ours e of t h e po e t s thoughts ’

( )
1 S e c tion s XXV I I I XXX C hrist .m -
a stid e . Th e .

thought of t h e c ontinu e d life of t h e d ea d

e me rg e s in an hour of e x a lt a tion .

( )
2 S e c tion s XXX I XXXV I
.
-
T his c ontinu e
. d life is
a t on ce a truth r e v e a l e d a n d a fac t i m pli e d ,
’

in t he c onstitution of hu ma n n ature Th e .

group ac c ord ingly is c on c e rn e d in p a rt with

t h e diff e r e n c e b e tw e e n two for m s of fa ith

in i mm o rt a lity .

( )
3 S e c tion s X L X L .V I
-
I I mm ort a l ity . b e ing a s

s u me d ,
t h e qu e stion of futur e r e union is

ra is e d T his involv e s t h e qu e stion ( whi c h

.

is t h e m a in subj ec t of t h e group ) wh e th e r
th e e a rthly li fe is re me m b e r e d b eyond
d ea th . O nly an af fir ma tiv e a nsw e r would
s a tisfy t h e d e m a nd of lov e .

(4 )
’
S e c tions L L
. V -
I Th e po.e t s d e sir e th a t the

d e a d fri e nd should re me m b e r h im an d b e
n ea r h im n ow ( a s w e ll as in a futur e li fe )
is follow e d by fe ars a n d doubts r ai s e d by
t h e thought first of his own unworthin e ss
, , ,

a n d th e n of a l l t h e p a in w a s t e a n d e vil , ,

in t h e world .

W W be
sil e n c e d by reas o n ; a n d t h e po e t s h O pe
f
’

w
th at good is t h e e n d of e vil an d love t he ,
 T h e S t r uc t u r e o f In M e m o r ia m 33

l aw of c r e ation is sust a in e d , ‘
3
q n ly by bl in d
trust .

N 60 "

Se c tions LX L}IV T h e po e t r e turn s to h is

.
-
.

d e s ire th a t his fri e nd should thin k of h im

n ow .H is hop e s a n d fe a rs on this subj ec t
a r e fr e e fro m t h e d istr e ss of t h e pr e c e ding

group a n d issu e i n t h e ac c e pt a n c e of
,

igno r a n c e a n d in fa ith th a t lov e c a nnot b e

,

lost H e re a n d i n t h e r e m a ind e r of P a rt I L
.
, ,

th e r e is a gr a du al a dv a n c e tow a rds qu i e t
r e gr e t sy m p a thy with oth e rs a n d a p e ac e ful
, ,

r e c ognition of t h e b e a uty o f t h e p a st a n d
t h e i nflu e n c e of t h e lost fri e nd .

S ections LXV I I .
-
LXX I . O n N ight , Sl e e p , an d

D re a m s .

Se c tions Fa m e
Lx x 111 - Lx x .Th e v 11
. On .

po e t writ e s of his fri e nd s loss of fa m e on ’

e a rth a n d g a in of fa m e i n a not h e r world ,

a n d of t h e br e vity of a n y fa m e w h i c h his

own songs c ould win for his fri e nd .

PA RT III . T o HE T H I R D C H R IST M A S
T .

3 10
S EC TI O NS XXV III III
L .
—
C .

Of the fou r p a rts this c o n t ain s , the . .

gre a t e s t

N
gg mb e r of s ec tions w hi c h m ay b e . . ca ll ed ~

C
 In M e m or ia m
’
si ou a l
. Th e id ea of t he future life r e t ire s a g a in

“
into t h e b ac kgro rmd

( )
1 Th e pr e v a iling ton e of s e c ti o ns LXX I X .

LXXX I X ( not to b e c on s id e r e d a gr o u p) is
.

th a t O f qu i e t a n d not u nh a ppy re t r o s pe c
tion a n d a s e n s e of n e w a n d joyful life
,

b e gin s to app e a r .

( )
2 Se c ti o ns X C -X C V . for m a c lo s e ly c on n e c t e d
.

group on t h e possibl e c ont a c t o f t h e living

a n d t he d e ad Th e id e a is c onsid e re d fro m
.

v a r ious sid e s a n d a pp e a rs to b e r e ali s e d in

,

t h e tr a n c e r e c ord e d in X C V .

(3) Se c tion s CC I II for m a group whi c h h a s for

.
-
.

its subj e c t {h e po e t s fa r e w e ll to t h e ho m e
r
’

of c hildhood H e b e gin s to turn his e y es

.

fro m t h e p ast .

P AR T I V . FR O M THE T H I R D C H R IST MA S .

I 0U

S ECT I O NS C IV .
—
CX XX I .

T hroughout thi s p a rt e v e n wh e n t h e po e t is ,

thin k ing of t h e p as t h e I S loo k ing fo rw a rd into

,

t h e futur e .R e gr e t is p a s sing a w a y but lov e is ,

m

growin g an d wid e ning T he d e a d f r i e nd is r e .

g a rd e d not only as a fri e nd but a s a typ e of ,

the nobl e r hu m a nity to c o m e, an d a s m ingl ed

 T h e S t r u c t u re o f In M e m o r ia m 35

with th a t Lov e whi c h is the soul of t he

u niv e rs e .

3 0U
"
J b

Sec tion s C I V - C VI . .for m a grou p d eal ing with

C hri s tmas an d Ne w Y e a r i n t h e n e w ho m e .

Se c tions C V I I C V II I e x pre ss .
,
. the
’
po e t s r e s olv e
to turn fro m t h e gri e f o f th e p a st .

‘
to l

Se c tion s C I X C X I V d e s c rib e t h e c h ara c t e r of

.
-
.

t h e d e a d fri e nd a n d in c id e nt a lly t h e d a nge rs ,

of t h e progr e ss o f ma n k in d . .

Se c tions Y C X X X
CX I a r e not so c los e ly c o n
II .
-
.

n e c t e d a s to for m a group but th e y a re ,

unit e d by th e ir e x pressign of fa ith i n t h e

future both o f t h e ind ividu a l a n d of hu m a nity
“ .

I n for m m a ny of th e m a r e r e tr o s p e c tiv e ,

t h e po e t loo k ing b a c k to t h e struggl e s

through whi c h h e h as w o n his way to
}
e ntir e fa ith i n t h e o m nipot e n ce of lov e

1
In conver s ti on with
a Mr .
J a m es Knowl e s , Te nnyson gave a

divis ion of I n M em or ia m int o nine par t s , as f o ll o w s : ( ) 1 1 . V III

- .

(2 ) 1x .
-x x .
; (3 ) xx 1 .
-x xv 1 1 .
; (4 ) x x v 111 .
( 5) L -L . V III .

(6) LI X .
-L XXI .
; (7) L XXI I XC V I II .
-
.
( 8) x c rx .
-
c 11 1 ;
.
(9 ) CW .

C X XX I . n ot h ing is sa id of th i s a rrang
As e m e nt in h is n o t es o n

In M emor ia m print ed in t h e M em oi it is t o b e supposed th a t r ,

he w as n o t sa ti s fi ed wit h it I t i gn ores th e Sec ond C h ri st m as .

po e m .
 T HE ‘
W AY O F T H E SO U L
.
’

IT is a fas hion a t pres e nt t o a s c rib e t h e gre a t

popul a rity of I n M emor ia m e ntir e ly to t h e
‘
t e a c hin g c o nt a in e d in it a n d to d e c l a r e th a t
’
,

i ts p ec uli a r po s ition a m o ng E ngli s h e l e gi e s h as

'
n othing to d o with it s po e ti c qu a liti e s T hi s i s
.

iaqu iva l e n t to an a s s e rtion th at if t h e s o c a ll e d

,
-

l
s ub s t a n c e of t h e po e m h a d b ee n p r es e nt e d in
1
c o m m o n pr o s e t h e wor k wou ld h av e g a in e d t h e
i ,

s a m e hold upon t h e m a s s of e du c a t e d r e a d e rs
{
th a t is now p o s s e s s e d by t he p o e m its e l f Su c h .

a n a s s e r tion no o n e w o uld m a k e or c ons c iously

i m ply Th e ord in a ry r e a d e r do e s not ind e e d

.

a tt e m pt to s e p a r a t e t h e p o e ti c qu a liti e s of a wor k

fro m s o me oth e r qu a lity th a t a pp e a l s t o h im ;

m u c h l e s s do e s h e r e ad t h e wo r k in t e rror of
1
T hi
in s trictn ess is a i mpo ss i bl e s uppo siti on Anyth in g
s, , n .

th t c ould b e s o pre sent ed wo uld n ot b e really th e sub stance o f

a

th e po em .
38 In M e m o r ia m

a pp e a re d wh e n t h e vi c t o ry was won but a s it , ,

w a s e x p e ri e n c e d th e n a n d th ere I n oth e r e l e gie s

.

for e x a m pl e s c a r c e ly a nything is to b e fo und r e

,

s e m bling t h e ea rli e r s e c ti o n s whi c h d e s c rib e with

,

su c h vividn e s s a n d truth t h e v a ri e d fee lings Of a

n e w gri e f ; s c a r c e ly a nything a g a in li k e t h e night
, ,

po e ms ( Lit VI I f f ) or t h e p o e m o f t h e s ec o nd
.

a nniv e r s a ry o r thos e of t h e third spring

ti me ( CX V .
, St a nz a s li ke th e s e c o m e ho m e
to r e a d e rs w h o n e v e r c a re d for a po e m b e for e a n d ,

w e r e n e v e r c ons c iou s of fe e l ing po e ti c a lly till

sorrow op e n ed th e ir s ouls T hus m u c h of I n
.

M emor ia m is n e a r e r to ordin a ry life th a n m o s t

e l e gi e s c a n b e a n d m a ny s u c h r e a d e r s h a v e fo und
,

in it a n e x pr e ssion of th e ir o w n fe e ling s or h av e ,

lo o k e d to t h e e x pe ri e n c e whi c h it e m b o di e s a s a
guid e to a po s s ibl e c o nqu e s t ove r th e ir own lo s s .

’
T hi s th e y s ay to th e m s e lv e s a s th e y re a d
‘
,
15 ,

wh a t I du m bly fe e l T hi s m a n s o m u c h gr e a t e r
.
,

th a n I h a s s u ff e r e d l i k e m e a n d h as told m e how
,

“
h e won his w a y to p e a c e Li k e m e h e h a s b ee n
.
,

forc e d by h is own di s a s t e r to m e dit at e on t h e

”
riddl e of t h e p a in ful ea rth a n d to a s k wh e th e r t h e
,

world c an r e a lly b e gov e rn e d b y a l a w of lov e a n d .

,
 The ‘
W ay o f th e S o ul
’

is not r a th e r t h e wor k of blind forc e s indiff e r e nt to ,

t h e v a lu e of a l l th a t th e y produ c e an d d e stroy
’
.

A bri e f r e vi e w first of t h e grcp e rie n c e r e c o r d e d

,

in I n M emor ia m a n d th e n ,

e m ploy e d i n it m a y b e of i nt e r e st to s u c h r e ad e rs
, ,

an d e v e n t o oth e rs a s it m ay furth e r t h e u nd e r
,

st a nding o f t h e po e m fro m o n e point of vi e w ,

a lthough i t h a s to br e a k u p for t h e ti m e th a t
un ity of subst a n c e an d for m whi c h is t h e e ss e n c e
of po e try .

Th e e a rl y s e c tions p ortra y a soul i n t h e first

a ngui s h of loss I t s whol e i nt e r e st is fi x e d on o n e
.

"

thing in t h e w o r ld xr th is thing is t a k e n
a w a y t h e whol e world is da r k e n e d
,
I n t h e m a in .
,
’

\
t h e d e s c ription is o n e of a c o m m o n e x p e ri e n c e
‘

a n d t h e po e m show s t h e issu e of this e x p e ri e n c e

i n a p a rti c ul a r c a s e .

S u c h sorrow is ofte n h e al e d b y forg e tfuln e ss -

.

T h e soul fl in c h in g fro m t h e p a i n of loss or

, ,

a ppr e h e n s iv e of its d a ng e r t urn s a w a y a t fir s t , ,

with di f fi c ulty a n d a ft e rw a rds with i n c re a sin g

,

ea se ,
fro m t h e thought of t h e b e lov e d d e a d .

‘ ’
T i me or t h e i n c e ss a nt str e a m of n e w i m pre s
,

sions h e lps it to forg e t I t s sorrow gra du a lly

,
.

p e rish e s a n d with it s sorrow it s lov e ; an d a t l a st

,

a l l it w a s is ov e rworn a n d it st a nds whol e a n d

‘ ’

sound . I t i s not c yn i c a l to s ay th a t this is a

 40 In M e m o r ia m
fr e qu e n t history an d th a t t h e id ea s r e p e ll e d in
,

s e c tion X C a r e not s e ld o m tru e

. .

S o me ti m e s a ga in t h e wou nd r e m ains unh eal e d

, , ,

a lthough its p a in is dull e d H e r e l o v e n e ith e r

.

di e s nor c h a ng e s its for m ; it r e m a in s a p a in ful

longing for so me thing gon e nor w o uld a nything ,
I

re a lly s a tisfy it but t h e e ntir e r e st o r a tion of th a t

whi c h is gon e A ll t h e d e e p e r life of t h e sou l is
.

a bsorb e d i n this lov e whi c h fr o m its e x c lusiv e ly

,

p e rson a l c h a ra c t e r is u n a bl e to c o a l e s c e with oth e r

int e re sts a n d pr e ve nts th e ir growth .

I n n e ith e r of th e s e e x tr e m e c a s e s is th e r e th a t
vi c tory o f whi c h t he po e t thin k s e v e n in t h e fi rst
sho c k of loss wh e n h e r e me mb e rs how it h as b e e n
,

s a id

T h a t m en m a y ri s e on t pping s t o n e s
s e -

Of th e ir d ea d se lv es to high e r thing s .

I n the first c a s e th e r e is vi c tory of a k ind but it ,

’
is a vi c tory whi c h in t h e po e t s e y e s is d e fe a t ;
t h e sou l m ay b e s a id to c onqu e r its sorrow but it ,

do e s so by losing its love ; it is a sl a ve iii t he

triu m ph of T i m e I n t h e s e c ond c a s e t h e s e lf
.
,
‘ ’

re fus e s to d ie an d c onqu e rs ti m e but for th a t v e ry ,

l r e a son it is bound to t h e p a st a n d un abl e to ris e

to high e r things T h e e x p e ri e n c e portr ay e d in
.

I n M em or ia m c orre sponds wi th n e ith e r c a s e but ,

it r e s e m bl e s e a c h in o n e p a rti c ul a r So rro w is .
 The W ay o f th e S oul
’

b u t it h ea l e d by t h e loss of lov e
is n ot
— “ w

b e lOvé d d ai d is t h e obj ec t o f cont in ual

’ ’
u

“
a n d Wh e n r egr e t h a s p a ss e d a w a y lov e 15
.

b e n ot l e ss but gr e a t e r th a n b e fore On .

the o the r h a nd r e gr e t do e s p a ss a w a y a n d love ,

do e s not m e r e ly loo k forw a rd to r e un ion with its

obj e c t but u nit e s fr e e ly with oth e r i nt e re sts I t is .

e vid e nt th a t th e possibility of this vi c tory d e p e nds

t h e f ac t th a t whil e lov e do e s not d ie th e r e

, ,

in t h e sou l whi c h d o e s die Th e s e l f .

iis és only on t h e b a sis of a d e a d s e lf

’
I n oth e r
‘ ’

words lov e c h a
,
though it do e s not p e rish or
c h a ng e in it th e r e is a c orr e

n g c h a ng e i n t h e id e a of its obj ec t Th e .

po e m e x hibits this pro c e ss of two fold c h a ng e -

.

A t t h e b e gin nin g lov e d e sir e s si m ply th a t

whi c h wa s th e pr e s e n c e a n d c o m p a nionshi p of t h e
,

lost fri e nd an d this it d e sire s un c h a nge d an d in

its e ntir e ty I t longs for t h e sight of t h e fac e t h e
.
,

sou nd of t h e voi c e t h e pre ssu r e of t h e h a nd

, .

T h e s e doubtl e ss a re d e sir e d a s to k e ns of t h e soul

but as y e t th e y a re to k e n s e ss e nti a l to lov e a n d ,

th at for whi c h it pi n e s is t h e soul as k nown an d

l Ove d through th e m I f t h e m ourn e r a tt e m pts to
‘

thin k of t h e d ea d a p a rt fro m th e m his h ea rt ,

r e mains c old or h e r e c oils : h e fi nd s th a t he is

,

thin k ing of a ph a nto m ;

’
an a wful thought
 In M e m or ia m
inst e a d of t h e hu ma n h ea rt e d m a n h e lov e d
‘
-

’
a spirit not a br e a thing voi c e T his h e do e s
‘
, .

not a n d c a n not lov e I t is a n obj e c t of a w e not

.
,

of a ff ec tion ; t h e m e r e d e a d body is a thous a nd

fold d e a re r th a n thi s n a tur ally for this is not
,
—

r e a lly a s pi r it a thin k in g a n d loving soul but a

, ,

ghost A s th e n h e is un a bl e to thin k of t he
.

obj ec t o f his love e x c e pt a s t h e h a nd t h e lips ‘

, ,

t h e m e e ting of t h e m orrow
’
t h e eye s an d ,
‘
he
fe e ls th at wh a t h e lov e s is si m ply gon e a n d lost ,

a n d h e find s h is o n e r e li e f i n a llowing fa n c y to

pl ay a bout t h e thought of t h e to k e ns th a t r e main

( s e e t h e po e m s to t h e ship ) .

Th e pro c e ss of c h a ng e c onsists l a rg e ly in t h e

W
S o long thi s bond a g e r e m a ins it s d e sir e is fi x g
as d
T

on th a t whi c h r e a lly is d e a d n d it c a nnot

w
dvan c e B ut gr a du a lly it r e signs this longing
.
,

n d turns m or e an d m or e to th a t whi c h is not

ad. Th e first st e p in its a dv a n c e is t h e

p e r c e ption th a t lov e its e lf is of infinit e v a lu e a n d
m a y surviv e t h e r e m o v a l of t h e s e nsibl e pr e s e n c e
of it s obj e c t But n o soon e r h as thi s c onvi c tion
.

be e n re a c h e d a n d e m br a c e d ( XXV I I ) th a n s udd e nly

t h e m ourn e r is fou nd to h a v e tr a nsfe rr e d his

i nt e r e st fro m t h e s e nsibl e pre s e n c e to t h e soul

l

it sel f f wh il e on t h e o th e r h a nd t h e s oul is no
, ,
 T IN y a o f t he S oul
’

long e r th ought of a s a m e re a wful ph a nto m but ,

h a s b e c o m e wh a t t h e l iving fri e nd h a d b ee n ,

so m e thing both b e l o v e d a n d loving ( XXX ) T his .

c onqu e s t is i nd e e d ac hi e v e d fi rst i n a m o me n t
, ,

of e x a lt a tion whi c h c a nnot b e m a int a in e d ; but

it s r e sult i s n e v e r lo s t a n d gr a du a lly str e ngth e ns
, .

Th e fe e ling th a t t h e sou l of t h e d e a d is so m e thing

sh adowy a n d a wful d e p a rts for e v e r a n d st e p by ,

st e p t he h a untin g d e sire for t h e bodily pr e s e n c e

r e tir e s T hought is c on c e ntr a t e d on th a t whi c h
.

l ive s t h e b ea u ty of t h e b e lov e d soul s ee n i n its

, ,

r e m e m b e re d li f e on ea rth a n d doubtl e ss shown ,

m or e fully e ls e wh e r e i n a life th a t c a n b e d i m ly
i m a gin e d A t l a s t t h e pinin g f o r wh a t is gon e
.

d i e s c o m pl e t e ly a w a y bu t lov e is found to b e but

,

strong e r for its d e ath a n d to b e n o long e r a sour c e

,

of p a in I t h a s gr o w r at o t h e di m e nsion s of its
.

r fi

obj e c t an d thi s o b j e c t is not on ly dista nt a n d

,

d e sire d but a lso pr e s e n t a n d pos s e ss e d

,
An d .

m or e—
t h e p a st ( whi c h is not wholly p a st sin c e it ,

liv e s a n d a c ts i n t h e s ou l of t h e m ourn e r) h as lo s t
its p a ng a n d r e t a in e d its lov e lin e ss a n d pow e r
t h e d ays t h a t a r e no m ore b e c o m e a life i n d e a th
’

Inst ea d of a d e a th in li fe a n d e v e n t h e light of
‘

t h e fa c e t h e sound of t h e voi c e a n d t h e pre ssu re

, , .

of t h e h a nd n ow th a t t h e a b s orbing d e sir e for

,

th e m is s till r e turn i n t h e qui e t i nw ard world

,
.
 In M e m or ia m
A noth e r sp e c t of this c h a ng e is to b e noti ce d
a .

So long a s t h e m ou rn e r s sorro w a n d d e s ire ar e

’

fi x e d on th a t whi c h di e s th ey withdr a w his int e r e st

fro m a ll oth e r things H is world s e e m s to d e p e nd
.

for its light on th a t whi c h h as p a ss e d a w ay a n d ,

h e cri e s A l l is d ar k wh e r e thou a r t not

’
,
Bu t a s
.

his lov e a n d its obj e c t c h a nge a n d grow this ,

e x c lusiv e n e ss l e ss e ns a n d it s sh a dow s hrin k s H is .

h e a rt Op e ns its e l f to oth e r fri e ndships t h e swe e t

n e s s of t h e spring r e turn s an d t h e m ighty hop es
‘ ’

for m a n s futu r e whi c h t h e fri e nd h a d s h a r e d live

’
,

a g a in a s t h e d e a d fri e nd c e a s e s to b e a s il e nt voi c e

a n d b e c o m e s a l iving soul N or d o t he r eviving

.

ac tiviti e s si m ply flourish sid e by sid e with lov e for

this soul a n d still l e ss d o th ey c o m p e t e with it

,
.

R a th e r th e y a re o n e with it T h e d ea d m a n liv e s
.

in t he living a n d m ov e s h im o n to nobl e r e nds

, .
’

I t is a t t h e bidding of t h e d ea d th a t h e s e e k s a
fri e nd s hip for t h e y ea r s to c o me H is vi s ion of
.

t h e id ea l m a n th a t is to b e is a m e m ory o f t h e

ma n th a t trod this pl a n e t with h im in his youth .

’
H e h a d c ri e d A ll is d a r k wh e re thou a r t n o t an d
, ,

now h e c ri e s ,

Th y v o i c e is o n th e r olling a ir ;
I h e a r th e e wh e re t h e w a t e r s run ;
T h o u s t a nd e s t in t h e ri s ing s un
,

An d in th e s e tting th ou a r t f a ir .
46 In M e m o r ia m
it sugg e sts t h e i m port a nt gr o up o f s e c tions
XC X CV.
-
H e r e t h e po e t e v e n w ish e s at first for
.

a vision ; a n d a lthough h e a t on c e r e fl e c t s th a t

n e ith e r thi s nor a n y oth e r a pp e a l to s e ns e c ould

1
c onvin c e h im th a t t h e d e a d w as r e a lly with h im ,

h e do e s not s u rr e nd e r e ith e r h e r e or l a t e r ( C XX I I ) .

t h e id ea of so m e m or e i m m e di a t e c ont a c t of souls 2
.

O n t h e oth e r h a nd h e is not sure th a t t h e id ea is

,

r e a l is e d nor do e s h is u n c e rt a inty disturb his

,

p e ac e W h a t h e d e sir e s whil e h e r e m a in s on
.

’
e a rth is c ont a c t with th a t whi c h is t h e r e a lity ‘
,

whi c h is h al f r e v e a l e d a n d h a l f c on c ea l e d by
n a ture a n d m a n s e a rthly life a n d whi c h by it s
’

, ,

c ont ac t c onvin c e s h im o f t h e r e a son a n d lov e th a t

,

rul e t h e world ; a n d a s now h e thin k s of his ,

’
fri e nd as livin g in Go d h e n e ith e r k nows nor
‘
,

s ee k s to k n o w wh e th e r th a t whi c h tou c h e s h im i s
'

to b e c a l l e d t h e s oul of his fri e nd or by s o m e

high e r n a me .

I t a pp e a rs th e n th a t t e vic t o r y ov e r sorrow
o r t ra e d in t h e
h d
p
1
H is refl ecti ons on t h e di ff culty or i mp o ss i b ility o f an y such
i

proof ar e e pressed in X C II wit h a con c i s en ess wh ich is c h a c

x . ra

t eristic o f T ennys o n a n d c on c eal s f ro m m ny r e aders t h e f ull f o rce a

an d bea ring o f hi s t h ough t s .

2
T h i s idea is n o t c o n fi n ed t o I n M em o i m T e nnyson w e ar e r a .
,

t o ld th ough t th a t th ere m igh t b e a m ore inti m t e co mmuni on t h an

,
‘
a

w e could dr ea m o f b etw ee n t h e living an d th e de ad a t a l l e vents f or ,

a ti m e ( M emoi I
’
r , .
 Th e ‘
W ay o f the S oul
’

the d e ad An d so m e r e a d e rs m ay e v e n b e
.

in c lin e d to thin k th a t t h e c h a n g e is s o gr e a t th a t
a t l a st t h e d e a d fri e nd h a s r e a lly c e a s e d to b e to

t h e l iving a n individu a l p e rson H e is th e y will .

,

s ay ,
i n so m e d im fa s hion m i x e d with God a n d ‘

N a tur e a n d a s c o m pl et e ly lost in t he ge n e ra l
’

,
‘

soul as is A don a is i n Sh e l l ey s p a nth e isti c po e m

’ ’

a n d so t h e po e t s lov e for him h a s not m e r e ly

’

c h a ng e d it h as p e rish e d a n d its pl a c e h as b e e n
, ,

t a k e n by a fe e ling a s v a gu e ly g e n e r a l a n d as littl e
p e rson al a s t h e obj e c t to whi c h it is dir e c t e d A s .

my pu r po s e is n e ith e r to c riti c is e nor to d e fe nd

m e pr e s e nt th e m
’
th
gg o e s i eas but si,
ply to r I ,

will c on fin e m ys e l f to pointin g out th a t t he po e m

its e l f fl a tly d e ni e s t h e c h a rg e thus brought a gai nst
it a n d by i m pli c a ti on d e ni e s t h e v a lidity of t h e
,

a ntith e s e s on whi c h t he c h a rg e r e sts I t is quit e .

tru e th a t a s t h e po e t a dv a n c e s h e “a b a ndo ns a ll
, , -

a tt e m pts to d e fin e t h e l ife

for m an i m a g e of h is f r ie n d wh a t e e r h e b e ,
It
’
.

is quit e tru e a lso th a t h e i s c on s c ious th at his

fri end a t on c e hu m a n an d divin e k nown an d
, ,

un k nown f a r a n d n e a r h a s b e c o m e so me thing
, ,

str a n ge a n d is d a r k li e r und e rstood th a n in t h e

,
’

old d ays of e a rthly life But it is e qu ally c l e a r

.
 48 In M e m o r iam
th a t to t h e po et his fri e nd is n ot a whit l e ss
hi ms e l f b ec a us e h e is m i x e d with Go d a n d
‘

N a ture an d th a t h e is only d e epli e r lov e d as h e

,
’ ‘

b e c o m e s d a r k li e r u nd e rstood
‘
A n d i f t h e h O pe
.
’

of r e union is l e ss fre qu e ntly e x pre s s e d a s th e

s e ns e of pr e s e nt poss e ssion g ains in stre ngth th e re ,

i s n othing in t h e po e m t o i m ply th at it b ec o m e s
l e ss fir m a s t h e i ma g e of r e union b e c o me s l e ss
d e finit e T h e r e a d e r m ay d ec l a r e th a t it ought
.

to do so ; h e m ay a pply to t h e e x p e ri e n ce h e r e
portray e d his c usto m a ry notions of hu m a n a n d
divin e p e rson a l a n d i mp e rson a l i ndividu a l an d
, ,

ge n e ra l ; a n d h e m ay a rgu e th a t wh a te v e r fa lls
u nd e r o n e of th e s e h ea ds c a nnot fa ll und e r t h e
oth e r B ut wh e th e r his id e a s a n d his a rgu me nt
.

a r e tru e or fa ls e t h e fac t is c e rt a in th a t for t h e

,

e x p e ri e n c e portr a y e d in I n M emor ia m ( a n d it m ay ,

b e a dd e d in A don a is a lso ) th e y do not hold

, .

For t h e po e ts t h e soul of t h e d e a d in b e ing ,

m ingl e d with n a ture do e s n o t l os e its p e rson a lity ;

, ,

i n living in Go d it r e m a ins hu ma n a n d its e l f ; it

"

’
is still t h e obj e c t of a lov e a s p e rson al as th a t
whi c h w as giv e n to
th e t ou ch of av ani s h e d h a nd ,

An d t h e s o und of a v oi ce th a t is s till .
 T H E I D EAS U SED I N I N AI E M OR I A M .
1

AN u nd e rst a nd in g of t h e po e m m a y b e fu r th e r e d ,

and t h e n e ce ssity for d e t a il e d e x pl a n a tions of

p a rti c ul a r p a ss a g e s m ay b e a v o id e d i f we now
,

r a is e t h e qu e s tion s : H ow do e s T e nnyson h a bitu

a lly thin k o f t h e sou l a n d its futur e a n d on wh a t
,

do e s his fa ith a pp e a r to b e b a s e d ?
H e r e c e rt a in c autions m u s t b e born e in m ind .

I n t h e fi rst pl ac e w e m u s t d i s tingui s h b e tw e e n
th a t whi c h is a ll i m port a nt an d th a t whi c h is of
-

s e c ond a ry int e r e s t . For e x a m pl e it is e vid e nt

,

th at to T e nnyson t h e fac t of i m m ort a lity w as b oth

c e rt a in an d e s s e nti a l but h is id e a s as to t he
,

pr e c is e n a tur e of t h e futur e life or liv e s st a nd on

1 pages I h a ve n ot a tt empt ed t o m aint a in th e
Ia th e f o ll owing
distincti on b etween T ennyso n an d th e poet wh o speak s in his
’ ’

poetry ; but it mus t b e re m emb ered th at o n e h as n ot in stri ctn ess a

righ t t o regard as an a uth or s o wn o pini on a y st at em ent h e may
’
n

mak e in a poem .

D
 In M e m o r ia m
a noth e r l e v e l. I t i s u s e ful t o r e vi e w th e s e id e as
b e c a use th e y show us t h e world in whi c h his
i m agin a tion w as a c c u s to m e d to m ov e ; but th e y
w e r e not to h im m a tt e r s e ith e r of c e rt a inty or of
gr e a t pr a c ti c a l i m p o rt
. A n d in t h e s e c ond pl ac e
, ,

w e h av e to r e m e m b e r th a t T e nnyson n e ith e r w as
nor profe s s e d to b e a philo s oph e r an d w e m ust ,

not e x p ec t fro m h im e ith e r t h e e x a c tn e s s of

l a ngu a g e or t h e for m of c o n s e c utive re as oning
whi c h ar e r e quired i n philo s ophy
[
I n o n e s e c tion
.

of I n M em or ia m ( X LV I I I ) h e di s c l a i m s t h e
.

int e ntion o f d e a ling fully or e ve n s e riou s ly with

t h e probl e m s on whi c h h e h a s tou c h e d
) pU t o
.

t h e ti m e wh e n h e finish e d t h e p o e m h e d o e s not

a pp e a r to h av e m a d e a n y s tudy o f philosoph e rs ;

a n d though a f e w of his l a t e r p o e m s b e a r m a r k s

of s o me rea ding of this k ind a n d e ve n e m ploy

,

t e r m s too t e c hni c a l f o r poe try i n ge n e ra l t h e

,

l a ngu a ge r e m a ins th a t o f i m a gin ation a n d t h e ,

for m o f a rgu m e nt a tion or stri c t s t at e m e nt is

a dopt e d Th e r e ad e r th e r e for e m u s t not
, ,

p e c t s ys d e finition ; h e m u s t not pr e ss

r dly on singl e phra s e s o r s e n t e n c e s but m u s t

,

us e the m in ord e r to fe e l h is w ay int o t h e

p o e t s m idd
’

fl
( )
’
1 I f w e try t o pi c tur e t h e s oul s hi s tory a s ,

Te nnyson h a bitu a lly i m agin e s it o u r firs t qu e s tion

,
 T h e I de as u se d in the P o em
‘

m ust b e : W h e n did this history b e gin ? So m e

ti m e s w e find h e i m a gin e s a pr e vi o us e x ist e n c e
, , ,

or m or e th a n o n e i n whi c h t h e soul w as e ith e r

,

’
e m bodi e d or e ls e flo a t e d fre e ; a n d c e rt a in ‘

stra ng e longings a n d d im visions whi c h h a u nt it s

e a rthly l ife a re r e g a rd e d a s fa int r e c oll e c tions o f a

pr e vious st a t e ( so eg i n Tb e Tw o Voices Tb e
,
.
, ,

A n cien t S age Fa r f a r a w ay )
,
But m u c h m ore
,
.

oft e n a n d in I n M emor ia m prob a bly a lways t h e

,
1
,

fi
fr o m t he

pro c e s s spiritu a l
c o m pl e m e nt of c t i fl i m t t r whi h
g
-
r a n a,
n g es n a e c — —

issu e i n t h e body o f t h e s oul ; a n d l a t e r thr o ugh

2
,

e x p e ri e n c e g a in e d by m ea n s of this

suess
T h a t whi c h is d e e pe s t a n d m ost r e a l in
is s o m e ti m e s spo k e n of a s will or to
Te n nyson t h e m a in mira c l e , a ppa r e ntl y an act o f-

s e lf li m it a ti o n b
-
y t h e I nfi nit e a n d y e t
, pi g m l afi on »

by H i m s e l f of H i m s e l f 3
.
’

w
T h e life O n e a rth n ee d not b e c o n s id e re d h e r e .

At d e ath t h e un i o n of s o ul a n d b o dy is dissolv e d .

1
Se e on XL I V .
2
See on c x x .

3
M em oi r , I 3 16 . . Cf . D e P r of un d is , a n d C X X X I .
52 In M e m or ia m
The id e a th a t th e r e u pon t h e soul p a ss e s a t on c e to
a fin a l st a t e of bliss or w o e is on t h e whol e for e ign
,

to t h e po e t s m ind a n d is re pudi a t e d ( in Tbe

’

R ing) So is t h e id e a th a t a t t h e e n d of t h e e a rthly
.

life t h e s oul a t on c e r e me rge s into t h e ge n e r a l .

ag a i n id e a th at a t d e a th t h e s ou l fa lls into
th e

a long sl ee p fr o m whi c h it will a w a k e u n c h an e d ,

eV i e y not a 1t u a with t he poe t . H e h a bitu

on a s e c ond

life is a l most a lwa ys if not a lw ay s thought of a s

, ,

i m plying a n e w e mbodi m e nt ; a n d so m e ti me s ,

p e rh a p s g e n e r ally this e mbodi m e nt is suppos e d to

,

t a k e pl a c e on s o m e oth e r world or st a r The

‘
.
’

soul s i c cpp i l if e, if it liv e d w e ll on e a rth is t e

’

ga rd e d a s fr e e fro m m a ny of t h e li m it a tions a n d
d e fe c t s of t h e fi r s t Though o c c a sion a lly d e s c ribe d
.

th o ugh it w e r e a n e x i s t e n ce of m e re ly c o n
S W .

th e
soul t a k e s p a rt in
so m e c o m m on wor k a n d so a dv a n c e s t h e p gt h —
w _

U su a lly though n o t a lw a ys t h e po e t
f
o p rp gre s s
’ ‘
.
, ,

W
fi

thin k s o f t h e s o ul a s r tsm t a n d it s —

e a rthly c o m p a n ion s ; o c c a s ion a lly h e i m a gin e s it

a s b e ing a t l e a st for a ti m e p ec uli a rly

’

,
n e a r to
,
 In M e m o r ia m
Go d of lov e The l a rg e r hop e of
’
an d
‘
a . LV .
,

p e rh a ps t he

on e divin e e v e nt
f a r -of f
To whi c h th e wh ol e c r ea ti o n m ov e s ( Epil ogu e) ,

a re phr a s e s whi c h r e fe r to t h e fi n a l r e c on c ili a tion

or u nion of a ll souls w ith th e ir divin e sour c e .

( )
2 H o w m a ny of t h e id e a s just s u m m a ris e d

w e re to t h e po e t m a tte rs of b e li e f a n d of e ss e nti a l
i m port a n c e w e do not k n o w ; a n d th e r e fore in ,

turning to t h e qu e stion of t h e b a s is of his b eli e f in

i m m ort a lity we m ust dis m iss t h e gre at e r p a rt of
,

th e m a n d m u st u nd e rst a nd by i mm ort a lity

,
‘ ’

si m ply t h e c on s c ious a n d in de fi n it e ly p ro l o n ge d
w
w

life o f t h e soul b eyon d d ea th For this a . s to

’
—

h im un doubt e dly a m a tt e r of fi x e d b e l ie f a n d o f ,

a n i m port a n c e so gr e a t th a t life without t h e b e li e f

, in it s e e m e d to h im to h a v e n e ith e r s e ns e nor
v a lu e iWe m u s t r e m e m b e r a lso th a t i m m orta lity
.

w as to h is m ind a fac t of t he s a me ord e r as t h e

e x ist e n c e of a Go d of l o v e so th a t wh a t is s a id of
,

t h e grou nd s of hi s faith in t h e o n e m ay oft e n b e

t a k e n to a pply a lso to t h e grounds of his fa ith in

t h e oth e r ; a n d wh e r e t h e two id ea s are not

r e g a rd e d a s thu s c oordin a t e t h e b e li e f in im
,

m ort a lity is c o nsid e r e d a s a c ons e qu e n c e of b e li e f

i n Go d so th at t h e b a sis of t h e l a tt e r is indir ec tl y
,

a lso t h e fou nd a tion of t h e f or m e i f}

 The Id e a s d in the Po e m
‘

u se

I n the first pl ac e th e n it is c l ea r th a t Go d a n d
, ,

i mm ort a lity a re to t h e po e t m a tt e rs not of k now

l e dge o r proof but of fa ith
,
C on c e rning the m .

W e h av e but f a ith : we ca nn o t k n o w
Fo r k n owl e dg e is of thing s w e s e e .

We e mbra c e th e m by fa ith ,
an d fa ith a lon e ,
’

cxx x i .
)

is m a int a in e d throughout T e nnys on s

o s it io n
’

poe try a n d is s e t forth m ost fully a n d m a tu r e ly in

,

t h e following l in e s fro m Tb e A n cien t S age

T h ou n s t n ot pro v e t h e N a m e l e s s O m y s on
ca , ,

Nor c a n s t th o u pr ov e t h e w o rld th o u m o v e s t in ,

T h o u c a n s t n o t pr ov e th a t th o u ar t b o dy a l o n e ,

Nor c a n s t th o u pro ve th a t th o u a r t s pirit a l o n e ,

Nor c a n s t th o u pr ove th a t th o u a r t b o th in on e
T h o u c a n s t n o t pr o v e th o u art i m m o rt al n o ,

Nor y e t th a t th o u a r t m o rt a l n ay m y s o n —

T h ou c a n s t n ot pr o v e th a t I wh o s p ea k with th ee
, ,

Am n o t thy s e l f in c o nv e r s e with thy s e l f ,

For n o thing w o rthy pr o ving c an b e pr o v e n ,

Nor y e t di s prov e n : wh e r ef o r e th o u b e wi s e ,

C l ea ve e ve r t o t h e s unni e r s id e o f d o ubt ,

An d c ling to F a ith b ey o nd t h e f o rm s o f F a ith i

Th e id e a s of Go d a n d i m m ort a lity i n t he n e x t ,

pl ac e a re not for t h e po e t t h e r e sult of re a s o ’ing

J
,

upon th e ph e no m e n a of e x t e rn a l N a ture He \
.

a pp e a rs to h a v e h e ld c on s ist e ntly throughout his

life th a t if w e d id not brin g th e m with u s to t h e

,
 56 I n M e m o r iam

ex a of N a tur e but si m ply us e d our r e a son

m in a ti o n ,

upon it without t a k ing into ac c oun t t h e e vid e n c e

d e riv e d fro m ou r o w n n a ture w e should n o t
'

b e li ev e e ith e r in Go d o r in i m m ort a lity A s an .

u nd e rgra du at e h e v o t e d N o on t h e qu e stion r a is e d
i n t he A postl e s So c i e ty I s a n int e lligibl e Firs t
’
,

C a us e d e du c ibl e fro m t he ph e n o m e n a of the

univ e rs e ? 1
( M em oir I H e would s a
, y on .
,

loo k ing through t h e m i c ros c op e Stran ge th at ,

‘

th e s e wond e rs should d ra w s o m e m en to Go d a n d
r e p e l oth e rs N o m o r e r e a son i n o n e th a n in
.

A d h
’
t h e oth e r ( I b n so. t e po e t in I n

M emor ia m d e c l a r e s

I f o und H im n ot in w o rld o r s un ,

gl e s wing o r in sec t s e y e ( C XXIV )

’ ’
Or ea ,
. .

Nay in his d a r k hour it e v e n s e e m s to h im th a t

, ,

t h e m e ss a g e of N a tur e is a t e rribl e o n e ; th a t re d ,

in to o th a n d c l a w with r a vin e s h e shri e k s a g a inst ,

’ ‘

’
his c re e d ; th a t t h e world is a pro c e s s of c e a s e
l e s s c h a ng e in whi c h individu a l e x i s t e n ce s a ris e to
,

p a s s without r e tu rn th a t it s fo rc e s sh o w no to k e n
th a t th e y v a lu e li fe m or e th a n d e a th go o d m ore ,

th a n e vil or t h e soul m o re th a n a gra in of s a nd

, .

A n d though th e s e a r e but e vil dr ea m s born of

‘ ’

1
An d intelligibl e First Cause
‘
an
’
is l e ss th an God o f l ove
a ,

so me th ing t h a t wa t ch es over us ( T ennyson s wo rds t o M r

‘ ’ ’
or .

Knowl es) .
 The Id e a s u se d in the Poem 57

his distr e ss a n d N a ture a pp e a rs to h im f a r oth e r

,
1

wis e wh e n h e vi e ws it a s h e h abitu a lly do e s in , ,

t h e light of id e a s d e riv e d fro m a noth e r sour c e h e ,

is still c on st a nt to th e position th a t N a tur e ,

re ga rd e d by its e l f would not c onvin c e him of ,

i mm ort a lity or Go d .

So f a r a ll is c l e a r A n d t h e positiv e qu e stion .
,

t he is t he fa ith

b
’
( M em ir ,
1 wh e n w e pro ce e d to a s k
.
,

’
W h a t is this hi gh e st within us ? we find d if fi
‘

c ul t ie s an d it is c e rt a inly not s a fe to found an

,

a nsw e r a s is oft e n don e

,
u pon thr e e or four lin e s ,

i n a singl e s ec tion of I n M emor ia m O ur be st .

pl a n will r a th e r b e to c oll e c t a n d pl ac e in ord e r

so me c ru c i a l p a ss a ge s fro m v a rious po e ms an d ,

th e n to e li c it a re sult fro mth e m .

1
Th e lin es ref erred to an d s i milar lines are o f t en compl et ely
, ,

m is underst ood I t is a bsurd to qu ot e t h e m a s ex pressing Ten n yson s

.
’

hab itual view of Nature or as his descripti on of th e universe

,

regarded by cold reas on T h ey describ e th e world as regarded by

‘
.
’

a r easo n w h i ch is turning a way f rom all h e eviden ce a f f o d ed by

t r
a ur e an d w h i ch is m o re over b e ing u s e d h urri e dly an d in
n t , , ,

al arm . I t i s n o l e ss a m i sunderst anding to supp o se Tennys on to say

o r h int tha t ev en with a l l th e e viden ce be f ore it r eas on dra ws con
, ,

el us i on s h ostil e t o t h e ideas of God an d i mm o rt a l ity : wh at h e says

is th a t rea son cann ot pr ove t h e tr ut h o f th ese ideas .

58 In M e m o r ia m
( )
a In Tb e Tw o Voices on e voi ce pl e a d s th at
t he t he
’
ns e s t e ll us
se d ea d ar e d ead T h e poe t
.

a nsw e r s

Who f org e d
th at o th e r influ en c e ,

Th a t h e a t o f inwa rd e vid e n c e ,

By whi c h [man ] d oubt s a g a in s t t h e se n se ?

He ow ns th e f a a t l gi f t o f e y es ,

That rea d h is s piri t blindly wi s e ,

Not s i m pl e as a thing th a t di e s .

H e r e s it s h e s h a ping wing s t o fly
H is h ea rt f or e b o d es a m y s t e ry
H e n am e s t h e n a m e Et e rnity .

Th at typ e o f P e rf e c t i n h is m ind
I n N a tur e c a n h e n o wh e r e find .

H e s o ws hi m s e l f on e v e ry wind .

T his do e s not m e a n th a t h e i m pos e s his own

fa n c i e s on t he univ e rs e ; r a th e r th e s e inwa rd ,

e vid e n c e s a r e r e g a rd e d as t he witn e s s of t h e pow e r

whi c h r e ac h e s through N a tur e m oulding m e n

‘ ’
,

an d re ve a ling its e lf in e ve ry hu ma n soul

C ’ t ’

( M emoir ,
II .

b
( ) T h e y a re ft e n s a id to c o me through fe e l
o

ing or a re
,
c a ll e d fe e ling Go d to t he A n c i e nt
.
,

Sa ge is ,

whi c h k n ows
Th at
An d is n ot k n o wn but f e lt thr o wh a t we f eel
’
,

W ithin o ur s e lv e s is high es t .

A n d, in pa rti c ul a r as lov e is t h e high e st we f e e l

, ,

we m ust be li e v e th a t Go d is Lov e ( Memoir I I ,

.
 The Id e a s u se d in the Po em 59

i n I n M emor ia m ( CXX I V ) t h e e vil

So .
‘

d r ea m s whi c h N a ture l e nds a re oppos e d by fee l

’

ing or t he h e art :

A wa rm th within t h e br eas t w ould m elt

T h e f r e e zing r ea s o n s c o ld e r p a rt ’
,

An d li k e a m an i n wr a th t h e h ea rt
St oo d up an d af iSwere d I h av e f e lt ;
‘
‘ ’

an d , i n his distr e ss t he pOe t c ri e s to wh a t h e

,
”
fee ls is Lord of a l l I n I n M em or ia m a g a in it
‘ ’
.
, ,

is c hi e fly ( though not sol e ly ) t h e pr e s e n c e of lov e

within hi m s e l f th a t m a k e s t h e po e t d e c l a re th a t ,
l
w it h o u t immor t a lit y life would b e v a l u el e s s a n d
fl , ,

m a n a m onst e r b e c a us e c o mbining t h e c ontr a

,

d ic tor y a ttribut e s of lov e a n d m ort a lity : a n d i n

Va s tn ess t h e si m il a r p a ssion a t e a ss e rtions th a t
nothing i n t h e world c ould m a tt e r i f m an w e r e
doo me d to p e rish are sudd e nly bro k e n o f f with
,

t h e word s

P e ac e , l e t it b e "f o r I l ove d h im, l ov e

an d h im f or
e v er : the d ea d a re n ot d e ad but a liv e .

( ) Fin a lly i n T/z e Tw o

c , Voices t h e po e t a pp ea ls
to m yst e rious inti m ations
H eav e n o p e n s inward c h a s m s y a wn , ,

Va s t i m ag e s in gli mm er i ng d a wn ,

H a l f s h o wn a r e br ok e n a n d withdr awn
,
.

M o r eo v e r , m ethi n g is o r s e e m s ,
so

Th a t t ou c h e s m e with m y s ti c gl eam s ,
Li k e gli mp s es of f org ott e n dr eams .
60 In M e m o r ia m
So in t h e H oly Gr a il a n d t h e A n cien t S age re fe r
e n ce is m a d e to t h e inw a rd e vid e n c e of e x c e ption a l

m o m e nts wh e n e ve rything m a t e ri a l b e c o m e s u m
re a l o r vision a ry y e t th e r e is i n t h e soul no
,
‘

sh a d e of doubt B ut utte r c l ea rn e s s a n d m an
, ,
’

f ee l s h e c a nn o t d ie ,
An d k n o w s hi m s e l f no vi s i o n to hi m s el f ,

No r th e high God a vi s i n
o .
1

An d so i n I n M emor ia m not only is this tr a n c e li k e

, ,

e x p e ri e n c e o n e i n whi c h t h e s o ul c o me s on th a t ‘

whi c h is an d for a m o me nt s e e m s to u nd e rst a nd

,
’

t he riddl e of t h e world but t h e c ry of distre ss

to wh a t is fe lt a s Lord of a l l is i m me di a t e ly followe d
by t h e vi s ion of t h e r e a lity b e hind a pp e a ra n c e s
An d wh a t I am b eh eld ag a in
Wh a t is , an d n o m an und e r s t a nd s .
( C XXIV )
.

If
now we c onsid e r th e s e v a riou s p as s a ge s wh a t ,

a nswe r do th e y giv e to our qu e stion c on c e rn ing

t h e b a sis of t h e po e t s fa ith ?
’
T h e y Show a t on c e
th a t it do e s not su f fi c e to t a k e t he st a nz a e nding
I h a v e fe lt an d to r e ply : T e nnyson thin k s th a t
‘ ’

t h e e mo tion s o r h e a rt c a nnot b e s a tisfi e d with o ut

a b e li e f in Go d a n d i m m ort a lity a n d th a t is t h e ,

sol e ground of his b e li e f For this a c c ount of t he

.

1
H oly Gr a il , it th e f o ll owing words n or that O n e
su b fin I om ,

Who ros e again be cause th e s peak er is King Arth ur an d b ecause

,
’
,

this idea do es n ot appear t o b e used as a s o urce of evidence

e l sewh ere .
 In M e m or ia m
T/z e Tw o Voices it is a lso with lov e whi c h
. So ,

a pp ea rs to t h e po e t to i m ply in its v e ry n a tur e

t h e i m m ort a lity both of its e l f a n d of its o bj e c t .

T o h im t h e e x ist e n c e of th e s e t o k e ns of im m o r
t a lity in m an if it w e r e c oupl e d with t h e fa c t
,

of m ort a lity would m a k e m an a n in e x pli c a bl e

,

m onst e r an d d e priv e both his life an d t h e hi s tory

’
,

of t h e ea rth of a ll th e ir m e a ning T his th e n is .

o n e w a y in whi c h his c ons c iou s n e s s of t h e b e st

within h im yi e ld s a b a si s for t h e po e t s fa ith a n d ’

wh e n h e r e pli e s to t h e fr ee zing r ea son I h a v e ‘

’
fe lt t h e fe e ling h e a pp e a ls to is not t h e d e sir e to
,

b e i mm ort a l nor y e t a fe e ling th a t h e is i mm o rt a l

, ,

but th e fe e ling o f love whi c h h e points to a s a ,

fa c t in c o nsist e nt with t h e th e ory o f t h e world put

forw a rd i n his d ar k m o o d by his r e a son .

B ut th e re is a noth e r way W h e n King A rthur .

s ays th a t th e r e a re m o m e nts wh e n h e f eels h e

c a nnot d ie ; wh e n Go d is s a id to b e f el t through

wh a t w e fe e l within our s e lv e s is high e s t ; wh e n

t h e po e t sp e a k s of th a t whi c h h e f eel s is Lo r d o f

a ll ,
th e r e is a m ore dir e c t a p pe a l t o s o m e thing
c a ll e d fe e ling H e r e t h e po e t do e s not p o int t o
1
.

1 Wit h th e se passage s c f th e f am ous speech b eginning M issh or

, .

m i ch ni ch t in t h e sc en e M a t b en s Ga t in F u t Part an d
’
r r en a s ,

a l so t h e c on t ras t o f f e e ling a d th e r eas oning p w er in Yb e ‘ ’

n o

Ex c u s ion B o ok I V t owards th e en d ( I hav e e en A curi ous ‘

r .
,
s
,

c h ild
’
,
 T h e Ideas u se d in t h e P oem 63

, so me thin g withi n h im whi c h s ee m s to i m ply

i m m ort a lity or Go d a n d fro m whi c h th e re fore ,

th e s e m ay b e in fe rr e d ; t h e fe e lings of whi c h h e
sp e ak s a re or giv e an i m me di a t e a ssura n c e o f
, ,

Go d or of i m m ort a lity I t would prob ably b e .

v a in to a tt e m pt to d e fin e th e s e fee lings m ore ‘ ’

e x a c tly or to a s k wh e th e r t h e po e t s m e a ning w as
’
,

si m ply th a t a t c e rt a i n m o m e nts r e c ognis e d by h im ,

as his high e st h e w a s u n a bl e to doubt t h e e x ist

,

e n ce of Go d an d i mm ort a l ity or wh e th e r h e m e a nt ,

th a t a t th e s e m o m e nts h e a pp e a r e d to hi ms e lf to
h a ve a dir e c t an d positiv e a ppr e h e nsion of t h e
soul as i m m ort a l a n d of Go d a s Lov e ,
1
W h a t is
c l e a r is th a t on t h e o n e h a nd th e s e fee l ings a re
, ,

not m er e ly wh a t w e g e n e ra lly c a ll e m otions sin c e ,

a c e rt a inty of Go d a n d i mm ort a lity is c onv e y e d in

th e m a n d th a t on t h e oth e r h a nd th e a ssur a n ce
, ,

th ey c onv e y is d ir e c t or imm e d i a t e not d e p e nd e nt ,

’
on r eas oning or proo f S u c h phra s e s i n t h e
‘
.
,

d e s c riptions of t h e tr a n c e li k e st a t e a s ca me on -
,
‘

th a t whi c h is b eb el d wh a t is len ow s hi m s e l f no
,
’

,
’

vi s ion a r e e vid e ntly m e a nt to indi c a t e this s a me

,
’

i m me di at e c e rt a inty .

I t is on t h e s e c ond of th e s e two k inds of

1
Th is c ert inly d oes se m t o b e i mpli ed o as s ert ed in som e of th e
a e r

phr ses qu ted an d esp eci lly in o m e wh i ch descri be th e trance

a o ,
a s

lik e e peri ence But th e e phr ses do n ot re f r at y rat

x . s a e ,
an e

expli c itly t o i mmortality ; n or is it a f e t o l y w e igh t o n t h em

, s a .
64 In M e m or ia m
nwa rd e vid e n c e th a t t h e po e t s e e m s to l ay m ost
i

str e ss A n d t h e r e a son of this doubtl e s s is th a t

.

t h e first k ind obviou s ly involv e s a pro c e ss o f

r e a soning a n d th a t to h im this pro c e s s is not

,

a c c o m p a ni e d by t h e c onvi c tion of c e rt a inty It .

’
fa lls short of proo f ‘
T hu s i n l e Tw o Voices
.

t h e pr e s e n c e in t h e s oul of c e rt a in id e a s a c tiviti e s , ,

a n d fe e lings ,
w as t a k e n to point to t h e divin e

origin an d t h e i m m o rt a lity of th a t soul but it d id ,

not giv e t h e a s sur a n c e for whi c h t h e po e t long e d ,

a n d whi c h c a m e l a t e r wh e n a t t h e sound of a
,

myst e ri o u s in n e r voi c e whi c h whisp e re d hop e ,

Fr o m o ut [h is] s ull en h e art a p ow e r

Broke li k e th e r ainb o w f rom th e s h owe r
, ,

T o f e el , lth o n o t ongu e c an pr ove

’
a ,

T h a t e ve ry c l o ud th a t s pr e a d s a b ov e
,

An d ve il e th l ov e it se l f is l ov e
,
.

In t he s a me w ay it s ee m s c l e a r to h im th a t a
‘

b e ing who c an lov e a s h e love s a n d who y e t is ,

doo me d to p e rish is a monst e r a dre a m a

,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’
,

‘
dis c ord ; but this do e s n o t give h im a s s u r a n ce
’

th a t t h e soul is not s u c h a m on s tro s ity O n t h e .

’
o th e r h a nd t h e fe e ling s of whi c h h e sp e a k s in
‘

t h e p a ss age s quoted l i k e t h e e x p e ri e n c e of t h e
,

tra n c e li k e st a t e involv e for h im n o pro c e s s o f

-
,

’
infe re n c e do n o t pr e t e nd to prov e a n d do c a rry
, ,

with th e m t h e a s s u r a n c e h e r e quir e s .
 The I de a s u se d in t he P o em
I nd e e d , t h e l an gu a ge us e d of th e s e fe e lings a n d
e x p e ri e n c e s is of su c h a k in d th a t o n e is t e m pt e d

to a s k why a ft e r a l l t h e po e t should d e c l a re th a t
, ,

W e h a ve but f a ith : we ca nn o t k n o w ;
Fo r k n o wl e dg e is of thing s we s e e
sin c e t he i m m e di a t e c e rt a inty c l a i m e d for th e se
fe e lings would a pp e a r to b e or to j u s tify s o me , ,

thing more th a n fa ith or a b e li e ving of wh a t we

c a n not prov e P e rh a ps he distrust e d wh a t h e
.

c ould not suppos e to b e t h e c o m m on poss e ssion

of m a n k ind O r p e rh a ps h is a n s we r would b e
.

’
found in W ordsworth s lin e s whi c h t e ll us tha t
it is
t h e m o s t di f fi c ult o f t as k s t o keep
H e ight s whi c h th e so ul is c om p e t e nt to ga in .

She g a ins th e m h e m ight s ay in e x c e ption a l

, ,

m o me nts ; a n d t h e e x p e ri e n c e o f th e s e m o me nts ,

wh e n s h e i s c ons c iou s of b e ing a t h er b e st b e ,

c o me s t h e light o f h e r life But th e y c o m e r a re ly

.
,

an d th e y p a ss qui c k ly a wa y or it m ay b e a re , , ,

Th e soul
’ ’
‘
stri c k e n thro with doubt
sin k s b a c k a n d los e s it s c ont a c t with re ality a n d ,

in t h e long i nt e rva ls b e tw e e n th e s e Visits m ust

re ly on m e m ory a n d hop e livi ng in t h e a ssu ra n ce , ,

not of vision or fe e l ing bu t of fa ith in wh a t it ,

on c e s aw a n d fe lt T his fa ith is not a n a dh e r e n c e

.

to so me thing whi c h r eason d e c l ar e s fa ls e but it is ,

66 In M e m o r ia m
an adh e r e n c e to so me thing whi c h r ea s on c anno
prove to b e tru e ; f o r th at whi c h c a n b e k nown
or prov e d is a lw a ys a li m it e d an d s ub o rd in at
truth whil e t h e s yst e m s a n d c r ee d s whi c h s t riv
,

t o re nd e r int e lligibl e to t h e s o ul t h e e x pe r ie n c

o f h e r high e s t m o m e nts ,
l ac k on t h e o n e b an
’
t h e a s s u ra n c e of thos e m o m e nts th e m s e lv e s a n
,

on t h e oth e r h a nd t h e c e rt a inty of t h e lowe

truths whi c h c an b e prov e n a n d a r e not worth ‘

’
proving .
A FEW words m ay b e a dd e d on two pur e ly
lit e r a ry m a tt e rs .

O n e of th e s e i s t h e m e tre of I n M em or ia m .

I t is u n c o mm on a n d so f a r as I a m a w a r e no
, , ,

ex a m pl e of it h as b e e n fou nd i n Engli s h po e try

prior to t h e E liz a b e th a n A ge Fro m th a t ti m e .

’
down to T e nny s on s it w a s o c c a s ion a lly u s e d h o w ,

r a re ly m ay b e j udg e d fro m t h e bre vity of t h e

followi n g list of i nst a n ce s e ith e r o f t h e m e tr e ,
‘
~

its e l f or of a fou r lin e four ac c e nt st a nz a with t h e

- -
'

s a me disposition of rhy m e s : Sidn ey A s tr oplz el ,

and S tella Se c ond Song ( tro c h a i c with doubl e

, ,

rhy me s in lin e s 1 a n d an d P sal m x x x vii .

( doubl e rhy m e s i n lin e s 2 a n d Sh a k e sp e a r e ,

T/z e P b cen ix a n d Tu r tl e ( tro c h a i c ) ; J onson Un ,

der woods x x x i x (A n El egy ) a n d Ca til in e C horu s

, .
, ,

i n A c t I I ; C a r e w S epa r a tion of Lover s ( tro c h a i c ) ;

.
,

S a ndys P a r apb r a s e of tb e P s a lms Ps al m s 1 4 3 0

, , , ,

44 74, ,
1 0
4 ; L ord H e rb e rt of C h e rbury A n O d e ,

p
u on a Q u es t ion m ov ed w b etb er Lov e s b oul d con

67
68 In M em o r ia m
t in n e f or ev er ; Ge o rg e H e rb e rt Tb e Te mp (
er lin e s ,

)
’
1 an d4 h a v e fi v e a c c e nts ; H a rv e y s Sy n a
gg o u e ,

1 6 4 0 ( I h a v e not s e e n thi s ) ; M a rv e ll D aphn is ,

a n d Cb l oe tro c h ai c ; P rior T /z e H on C b
( ) o t a r l es ,
.

M on tagu e Es qu ir e ( v e rsi o n qu o t e d in T h a c k e r a y s
’
,

H u mou r is ts ) ; So m e r v ile Fa bl e viii ; La nghorn e

1
, .
,

A n Ode t o tb e Gen ius of Wes t mor el a n d Rob e rt

A nd e r s on Tb e P oor P r u de ( Po e m s
,
C a rlisl e , ,

182 0; I h a v e not s e e n thi s ) ; La ndor I m a ,

g i n a ry C on v e r s a t ion s vol 3 1 8 2
,
8 two st
. a nz a s in, ,

La nd o r E nglish V i s it e r a n d Flore ntin e V isit e r 2 ’

, , .

St a nz a s in t wo or thr ee of th e s e po e m s fa intly
’
r e c a ll T e nnyson s c a d e n c e s to t h e e ar a n d th e r e ,

h a v e b ee n th e ori e s a s to t h e s ourc e wh e n c e h e
d e riv e d t h e m e tr e H e hi m s e lf st a t e d th a t he
.

b e li e v e d hi m s e l f t h e origin a tor of it until ,

a ft e r I n M em or ia m c a m e out wh e n s o m e o n e ,

told him th a t B e n J o n s o n a n d Sir Philip Sidn ey

h a d us e d it (M em oir I T his is d e c isiv e
, .

’
a s to T e nnyson s b e li e f though n o t a s to t h e
,

pos s ibility of his h a ving r e pr o du c e d t h e m e tre of

so m e po e m whi c h h e h a d forgott e n .

1
I hva e f a il ed t o fi nd th i
versi on in editi ons o f Pri or Th e t wo
s .

usu lly printed h ave a lternat e rhym es I f T h ck eray made th e

a . a

vers i on h i m se lf it is doubtl ess l at er t h n I n Ill m i m

,
a e or a .

2
For th e gre te r part o f t h i s li s t I a m ind e bt ed to vari ou s sources
a ,

notab ly Sch ipper s E n gl is / Ill et r zb D G R ossetti s My Si ter s

’ ’
'
’
’

c ze . . . s

Sl eep was pub li sh ed b ef ore I M mo i m b ut a f t e r You a i m e w b y

n e r a , se

an d Love t /z ou t /zy l a n d .
70 In M em o r ia m

Or h ad h e n th a t f a t al night
s ee

Wh e n t h e y o ung King o f M a c e do n
I n m a dn e s s l e d h is v e t e r a n s on ,

An d T h a i s h e ld t h e f un e ra l light ,

Around th a t n obl e pil e whi c h r ose

I rr a di a nt with t h e p om p o f g o ld ,

I n high P e r s e p oli s o f ol d ,

En c o mpa ss d with it s f r e nzi e d f o e s ( p 64 :

’
. cf . p .

O n c e m or e

Th e gr eat th e l o wly an d t h e br av e
, ,

B o w d o wn b e f or e t h e ru shing f or c e
O f thin e un c o nqu e ra bl e c our s e ;
T h y w h e el s a r e n o i se l e s s a s th e gr a v e ( p .

Th e oth e r s ubj e c t on whi c h a f e w words s ee m

’
to b e re quir e d is T e nnyson s i nd e bt e dn e ss to othe r
po e ts. I do not r e fe r to su c h ge n e ra l i nflu e n c e s
as th a t of D a nt e a n d still m or e ,
P e tra r c h on t h e
,

id e a s a n d s e nti m e nt of p a rts of I n M emor ia m an ,

influ e n c e whi c h M r C ollins h as point e d out an d

.

whi c h s ee m s to b e indi s put abl e N o o n e would .

c riti c is e t h e po e t on this s c or e But t h e r e a re a

.

l a rge nu mb e r of phr a s e s i n I n M emor ia m whi c h

r e ca l l th e phr a s e s of oth e r po e ts a l a rge r nu m be r
,

th a n we should prob a bly b e a bl e to find in th e

s a m e a m ount of v e rs e by a n y oth e r fa m ous
E ngli s h a uthor e x c e pt M ilton a n d Gray I t is .

on t h e groun d of th e s e a pp a r e nt borrowings th at
 P a r a ll e l P a ssa ge s 71

T e n nyson h as b e e n c riti c is e d ; an d h e s e e m s t o
h av e b ee n s e nsitiv e to su c h c riti c is m .

I t is e ss e nti a l to d istinguish t h e possibl e c a us e s

of t h e si m il a riti e s of phra s e h e r e i n qu e stion .

So me ti me s a po e t a dopts t h e phra s e of a n e a rli e r

writ e r k nowingly a n d with t h e int e ntion th a t
,

t h e r e a d e r should r ec ognis e it ; a n d i f t h e r e ad e r

fa ils to r e c ognis e i t h e do e s not fully a ppr e c i a t e

t he p a s s a ge M ilton a n d Gr a y oft e n did this a n d
.
,

Te n nyson d o e s i t to b ea utiful e ff e c t wh e n h e t e
produ c e s phra s e s o f V irgi l or T h e o c ritus ; a n d so
in I n M emor ia m wh e n h e writ e s c h a ng e th e ir
,
‘

s k y or brut e e a rth h e m e a n s t h e H or ati a n

’ ‘ ’

phra s e s to b e re c ognis e d So m e ti m e s a g a in t h e
.
, ,

si m il a rity of phr a s e i s d ue to m e r e c oin c id e n c e

t h e s e c ond po e t n e v e r r e a d t h e words of t h e firs t ,

but h e inv e nts for hi m s e l f wh a t t h e first h a d l n

v e nt e d for hi ms e l f A third c a us e is un c ons c ious
.

re produ c tion : a phra s e is r e t a in e d i n m e m ory

p e rh a ps for y e a rs a n d is r e prod u c e d without a n y
,

c ons c iousn e ss th a t it is n ot p e rfe c tly origin a l .

La stly a po e t m a y u s e t h e word s of a prc de

,

c e ssor k nowi ng wh a t h e is doin g but not int e nd

,

ing t h e origin of t h e phra s e to b e ob s e rv e d T his .

is pl a gi a ris m a n d it is t h e only o n e of t h e four

,

c a s e s in whi c h a n dis c r e dit a tt ac h e s to t h e po e t

y .

We m ay dis m iss t h e fi rst an d t h e l a st of th e s e

72 In M e m o r ia m
ca e s s . Th e
int e r e sting qu e stion is wh e th e r m ost
’
of t h e borr o wing s in T e nnyson s po e try a re to ’

b e r e g a rd e d a s c oin c id e n c e s or a s re m inis ce n c e s .

T h e po e t hi m s e l f s e e m s to h a v e c onsid e re d th e m
to b e t h e for me r a n d s c a r c e ly to h av e r e alis e d
,

th a t s u c h a thing a s un c ons c ious re pro du c tion

e x ists .P rob ably in s o m e m inds its li mits are
we ll d e fin e d ; but with oth e r writ e rs this is not
so an d m a ny a m a n of l e tte r s h as oft e n to e ndure
,

t h e v e x a tion of finding th a t a phr a s e whi c h s ee m e d

p a rti c ul a rly a ppropri at e a n d c a m e p a rti c ul a rly

e asily w a s not his own prop e rty a t a ll Su c h .

writ e rs a re e qu a lly a pt to r e produ c e phra s e s of

th e ir own without a n y s u s pi c ion th a t th e y a re
r e p e a ting th e m s e lv e s ; a n d in g e n e ra l it is c e rt a in
th a t u nusu a l r e t e nt ive n e ss of v e rb a l m e m ory m ay
b e c o m bin e d with unu s u a l un c ons c iousn e s s th a t
m e m ory is b e ing e m ploy e d .

N ow so m e of T e n nys o n s bo r rowings are ’ ‘ ’

doubtl e ss c a s e s of m e re c oin c id e n c e but it s e e m s ,

to m e be yond doubt th a t a gre a t e r n u m b e r a r e

r e min is ce n c e s a n d th a t h e w as m or e th a n co m
,

m on ly subj e c t to this tri c k of m e m ory 1

T he .

h b
Som eti m es h e may av e een awa re o f th e re m ini s en c e a t t h e
1 c
h
ti me of writing an d ave f orgotten it a f te rwards I t is o s erva l e. b b
that in th e P oems by Tw o B r ot/ e s h e is sc rupul ous in ack n o wledg
z r

ing ob lig ti ons ( or boyish ly anx i ous to Show k nowl edge ) : e g h e

a . .

notes h is d eb t to th a t f amous ch orus in Car ct acus ( p

‘
a or to.
 Pa r a l l el P a ssa ge s 73

’
ex et nt of his borrowings is in fa vour of this
‘

vi e w : why oth e rwis e should his l a ngu a ge h a pp e n

to c oin c id e with th a t of oth e r po e ts so m u c h m ore
ofte n th a n do e s t he l a ngu a g e s ay of Sh e ll e y or , ,

Ke ats ? A ga i n wh e n th e r e c a n b e littl e doubt

,

th a t he h a d r e a d t h e p a ss a g e of a n e a rli e r po e t i n
whi c h t he phr a s e o c c urs i t is m or e prob a bl e th a t ,

b e r e prod u c e d this phr a s e th a n th a t h e inv e nt e d

it . For e x a mpl e i f t he words ,

To s ee k the e m pty v as t
, , an d w a nd e ring a ir

o c c urr e d i n M iddl e ton or T ourn e ur , w e m ight

n a tu ra lly t ak e T e nnyson s ’

D rop s in h is vas t an d w and e ring grav e

for a m e r e c o in c id e n c e ; but wh e n w e c onsid e r
th a t t h e fi rst of th e s e lin e s c o m e s fro m o n e of
t h e m o s t fa m ous sp eec h e s i n Sh a k e sp e a r e we c a n ,

h a ve littl e doubt th a t t h e writ e r of t h e s e c ond h ad

r e a d this sp e e c h a n d w a s un k nowingly borrowing
fro m it If a r e a d e r of t h e Prol o gu e to I n
.

‘
th e ngs o f J a yadeva th e H o race o f I ndia ( p
so , Wh en ( ib ) ’
. .

h e adds to th e lin e ,

An d in th ambr osi a o f t hy sm il es th e go d o f ra pt ure l ay

’
,

th e n ot e Vide H o race s O D E
,
‘
Pul ch ris EX C U B AT in
’
he
is n ot a ck n owl edging a n o b liga ti on but as k in g th e reader to enj oy
h is lin e th e m ore b ecau se it re c all s H orac e s w ord ( our fi rs t cas e
’

a b o ve ) .Th e r eade r o f t h ese poe ms o f boyh ood will soo n c onvince

h i msel f that f rom th e fi rst Tennyson ha d a poet s f eeling f or phrases
, ,
’
,

a n d a v ery re t e tiv e m e mo ry o f t h e m
n .
74 In M e m o r ia m
M emor ia m w e r e r e m ind e d of p a s s a ge in o nly on e
’
H e rb e rt s Templ e h e m ight b e c o nte nt with t h e
,

hypoth e sis of c o in c id e n c e ; but wh e n h e is r e

m ind e d o f five distin c t p a s s a ge s an d wh e n in ,

o th e r p a rts of I n M em or ia m h e is a g a i n r e m ind e d

of H e rb e rt h e c a n h a rdly doubt th a t h e is d ea ling

,

with r e m inis c e n c e s O r to t a k e a n e x a m pl e fro m

.
,

Cr oss ing tb e B a r it is s ur e ly f a r m ore li k e ly th a t

,

t h e word mea n in g in t h e lin e ,

An d m a y th e r e be no m oa ning of th e b ar,

is un c ons c iou s ly d ue to Kingsl ey s ’

An d th e h arb o ur b ar b e m oa ning,

th a n th a t T e nnys o n h a d n e v e r r e a d a song so
fa m ous as Tb e Tb r ee Fis lz ers a n d ind e p e nd e ntl y
hit on t he s a me word T his vi e w l a s tly is .
, ,

gr e a tl y stre ngth e n e d by t h e fa c t th a t T e nnyson

r e produ c e s his own e x pr e ssions Th e following .

c o mm e nt a ry m a y c onvin c e t h e r e a d e r of this fac t ,

an d I h a v e no doubt th a t a T e n ny s on l e x i c on

would m a k e it stil l m or e p a t e nt I t is s c a r c e ly .

c r e dibl e th a t m o st of th e s e r e produ c tions w e re

c ons c i o u s I t is e v e n prob a bl e th a t a po e t so
1
.

c a r e ful a n d so s e nsitiv e to c riti c i s m would h a v e

1
T h os e b h
f ro m po e ms unpu li s ed o r withdra wn m ay of ourse b e c
so . Fo r e x ampl e , T enny so n s e ems t o h
ave u s ed p rases f ro m h is h
ea rly poem , Tb e Lover
’
s Ta l e, so m e wha t f reely .
 P a r al l el P a ssa ge s 75

a lt e r e d p a ss a ge in whi c h h e d is c ov e r e d th a t
an y

h e h a d r e p e a t e d hi m s e l f .

T o t a k e t h e Vi e w t a k e n h e re is not to bring
a c h a rg e a g a inst T e n nyson or to c a st doubt s on

his origin a lity . I n d e e d to doubt his origin a lity

,

i n t h e c r e a tion of po e ti c phr a s e s would b e to

show t h e e x tr e m e of c riti c a l in c a p ac ity . I t is
quit e possibl e to hold th a t i n r e sp ec t of thought
a n d inv e ntiv e i m a gin a tion h e w a s not a mong t h e

m ost origin a l of ou r po e ts ; but i f e v e r po e t w e re

a m a st e r o f phr a sing h e w as so an d t h e fa c t th a t
,

h e w a s so is quit e u n a ff ec t e d by t h e furth e r fa c t
th a t h e wa s so me ti me s un c o ns c iously ind e bt e d t o
his pre d e c e ssors .
 P R O LO GU E .

FO R purpos e s of study this fa m ous po e m is b e st

,

r e a d a ft e r th e s e c tions of I n M em or ia m h a v e b ee n
tr a v e rs e d ; la n d t h e l a t e r s ec tions i n p a rti c ul a r , ,
’
will b e fou nd t h e b e st c o m m e nt a ry on it It s .

c on n e c tion with t h e wh o l e wor k howe v e r m ay b e

, ,

indi c a t e d h e re .

I n t h e fi r s t sho c k of gri e f t h e po e t fe lt th a t
t h e lov e within h im w a s his tru e st s e lf a n d th a t ,

it m ust not d ie H e c lung to it through a l l h is

.

s orro w ,
an d its d e m a nds for m e d a t e st by whi c h

h e tri e d t h e doubt s an d fea rs th a t b e s e t h im At .

t h e e n d h e found th a t it h a d c onqu e r e d ti m e out ,

liv e d r e gre t an d grown with his spiritu a l growth

,
.

A li k e u ndying lov e h e e m br ac e d e v e n i n his

’
,

d a r k e st hou rs a s Go d i nd e e d a n d C r e a tion s
,
’ ‘ ’

fin a l l aw H e e m br ac e d it how e v e r through
’
.
, ,
’ ’
‘
fee ling an d by fa ith : h e did not r e ac h it by
‘

studying N a tu r e nor c ou ld h e prov e its e x ist e n ce

,
.

But a t t he e n d wh e n t h e lov e within him h ad

,

r e ac h e d its full st a tur e his fa ith in Lov e a s t h e

,

King a n d Lord of t h e u nive rs e h a d only b ec o m e

’
m or e fi x e d A n d h is fri e nd whil e d e e pli e r lov e d
‘
.
, ,

79
80 In M e m o r ia m P R OLO G U E

h ad b ec o me m ingl e d with this i m m ort a l Lov e ,

k nown a n d un k n o wn hu ma n d ivin e , , .
’

I n t h e Prol o gu e this r e sult o f tfi p oe t s e x pe r i

’

e n c e is s u m m e d u p a n d t h e c o nn e c t ion h f j h o u h t
_ , fi g
in t h e first “ e ight s t a nz as m ay b e s h o w n with t h e ,
-

e x pli c itn e ss of pro s e a s follows I n s t a nz a I

,
.
,

i mm ort a l Lov e i s a dd r e s s e d a s t h e So n or r e ve l a ,

tion of Go d ; invisibl e u n pr o v e a b le e m b r a c e d by
, , ,

fa ith a l o n e Th e n e x t s t a nz a s t e ll u s wh at to
.
,

I t is m
H

m ort a l Lo v e is or e th a n .

hu m an th e o rigin an d t h e lord of a l l : of
t h e world of life of d e a th
, ,
d e ath t m ad e ,
—

an d will a nnul ( st 2 I t is not

.
,
divin e ,

but hu m a n a n d t h e p e rfe c tion of hu m a nity ; n o t

,
’

only th e r e f o r e t h e origin a n d m as ter of m a n s

, ,
’

life but t h e sup r e m e

,
h is d e sir e an d will
( st . W e c a nTiOt k now it for its whit e light —

is r e fr a c t e d in our m ind s but it is the —

sour c e of t h e k nowl e dge th a t w e h a v e ( st 5 .

,

A n d th e re fo r e our k n o wl e dge ( whi c h is n o t o urs )

, ,

should b e m ingl e d with r e v e r en c e an d hu m ility

( 7
st .
,

I t s e e m s pr o b a bl e th a t T e nnys o n h ad b e e n
Ge orge H e rb e rt shortly b e fo r e w r iting th e s e
for s o me of t h e c oin c id e n c e s of thought an d phra s e;
oint e d o u t by C ollin s c a n h a rdly b e a c c id e nt a l
p , .

H e rb e rt s Love for e x a m pl e Op e ns thus

’
, ,

I m m ort a l Lov e , Auth o r thi s gre a t f ram e of ,

Sprung f rom th a t b eauty whi c h c a n n e v e r f a d e ,

H ow h a th M an par c e l l d o u t T h y gl o ri o u s n am e
’
,

An d thr own it o n t h e du s t whi c h T h ou h a s t m a de .

82 In M e m o r ia m P R OLO GU E
d emon s trat e p ertin a c ity o n th e p art of m an in d emanding
a

o f God h is right s (M em oir II r e dre s s in LVI

’ ‘ ’
Cf , . . .

2 7 C VI 1 2 s e n s e o f wr o ng in LXXI 7 wra th in LXXXII ’ ’

.
, , .
, .

14 ,
bitt e rn e s s in LXXXIV 4 7 ; a l s o By a n E v ol u tion is t
‘ ’
. .

1 3 1 6 T h e th o ught s e em s t o b e As i m m o rt al Lo v e is ‘ ’
. .

n o t o nly divin e ( lin e s 5if b ut th e p e rf e c ti on of th a t humanity

whi c h I s i m p e rf e c t in u s it is to us t h e id eal o r s upr em e will ,

with whi c h we h av e t o id e nti f y o ur will s W e k n o w n ot ‘

h o w : f or T e nny s o n s f e e ling a b o ut th e m
.

a in m ir a c l e
’ ’ ‘ ’
of

f r ee will s ee o n C XXXI Cf Br o wn e R el M ed 1 3 6 T hu s ‘
.
,
. . . .
,

we ar e m en an d we k n o w n o t h ow a n d t h e c o nt e x t
’
,
.
,

1 9 T h e m e t a ph o r is th a t of r ef r a c ti o n a s in t h e f a m ou s
.
,

s i m il e in A don a i s :

Li f e li k e a d o m e o f m a ny c o l o ur e d gl as s
,
-
,

St a in s th e whit e r a di a n c e of e t e rnity ,

U ntil D ea th tra m pl es it t o f ra g m e nt s .

T e nny son o f t e n e m pl oy s it : e g in Wil l Wa ter pr oof , T e n ‘

. .

th ou sa nd br ok e n light s an d s h ap e s Ye t gli m p s e s of t h e ,

tru e ; c f Tb e H n er P a n t/zeis m wh e r e h e h as al s o t h e
’
.
,

i mag e of th e s tra ight s t aff b e nt in a p oo l Wh e n h e ca ll s

‘
.
’

C hri s t th a t pur e s t light o f God ( M em oir 1

‘
th e m e t a
’
, .

ph or i n pur es t is th e s am e
‘ ’
.

C f C XIV a n d n ot e s As b e f o r e : b e f o r e th e ‘ ’ ‘
2 52 8 -
. . . .

gro wth o f k n owl e dg e di s turb e d th e ir uni on r a th e r th a n ,

’

s i m ply as hith e rt o
‘ ’
.

b a r : t o b ear thy light e t h e light o f k n o w

’ ‘ ’
3 1 t
. o
‘
e i , . .

l e dg e ( 2 3 in s t ea d of s upp o s ing it t o b e th e ir o wn an d s o
,

f ee ling a f oo li s h prid e T h e n o ti o n of prid e h as s ugge s t e d

.

t h e e pith e t i n lin e 3 2 ( c f C XIV . .

w rld e nny so n g e n e r a ll y s p e a k s a s th o ugh h e

’
3 2 . o
‘
s : T
b eli e v e d i n a nu m b e r of inh abit e d wo rld s .

6 s in s ur e ly d oe s n o t r e f e r s p e c i a lly t o h is gri e f
33 3
-
.

n or wo rth t o h is l ov e ’
Th e m e a ning is m or e g e n e ra l ,

s in c e I b e g a n pr ov e s Wh a t s e e m e d is an e xpr e s s i o n
‘ ’ ’
as .

o f ign o r a n c e : wh a t rightly o r wr o ngly I di s tingui s h e d a s

‘

m y d e f e c t s an d m y m e rit s T h e l a tt e r e qu a lly n e e d f o rgive ’

.
P R OLO G U E C o m m en t a r y 83

n es s f or th ough th e r e is m e rit ‘ ’
as b e twe e n man an d man ,
th e re is n o n e a s t o w a rd God .

37 . Cf . LXXXV . 6 1 , 62 .

3 9 Cf ° : Epil o gu e , an d C XXIX .
,
C XXX .
; a so l xx x ii .

5 8, 1 4
-
.

41 . Cf .
‘
W ild wo rd s w and e r h er e an d th e r e ,
’
A D irge .

‘
W ild wa nd e ring oc c ur s in Tr oil u s a n d Cr es s ida I i
an d
’
,
. .

1 05 ( B e e c hing ) Cf LVI I 4 ( Robin s o n )

. . . .

T h es e d a r k c o n f u s i o n s th a t within m e r e s t
‘
42 Cf
’
. .
,

Va ugh a n s D r ess ing ( C o llin s ) T h e r e is a c uri o u s c o in c id e n c e

’
.

w ith m eo s libr o s , s eu ve r iu s c o n f u s i on e s Luth e r P r ef a c e t o

‘
,
’
,

vo l I o f h is Wor k s 1 54 5 ( G A Wa s t e d d esol a t e d ‘ ’ ‘ ’
. . . .
, ,

s ur e ly n o t s qu a nd e r e d
’
, .

T h y is e m ph a ti c T h e r e is a r e m ini s c e n c e ( d oubt
‘ ’
44 . .

l e s s un c o n s c i ou s ) of C I X 2 4 . .

SEC T I O NS I -IV
. .

Th e reis a distin c t though not v e ry c los e , ,

c onn e c tion in th e s e s e c tion s Th e po e t will n Ot .

su ppr e s s his gri e f l e st h e should s uppre ss lov e

to d This gri e f how e v e r in t h e ph a s e s d e , ,

s c rib e d in I I II I I V prov e s to b e s ull e n m orbid

.
,
.
, .
, ,

or we a k e n ing Hp qu e stions its . an d

th e n r o us e s hi m s e l f a ga in st it I t is n o t
sorrow li k e this th a t m u s t b e c h e rish e d for t h e
s a k e of lov e .
’

[0

Loss m ay in t h e e n d b e g a in , but
‘
n ot i f the
ga in b e s n a t c h e d a t pr e m a tur e ly . To stifl e
s orrow a t first would b e to s tifl e lov e a n d t h e ,

fin a l r e s ult w o uld b e t h e m e re d e a th of t h e old

A
"
s e lf not its d e ath int o life
,
m a in id e a o f t h e .
84 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION S

p o e m th a t lov e is,
the supr e me good an d c an d e fy
ti m e is e x pr e ss e d
,
at on c e in t h e op e ning s e c tion .

1 -4 . T e nny so n
in h is l at e r y ea r s b eli ev e d th a t h e h ad a llud e d
h er e t o G o eth e H e m ight e a s ily h a ve b ee n f a m ili a r in y o uth
.

with th e f am ou s lin e s in Fa us t Entb e hr e n s oll s t du e t c an d , ,

’
.
,

during th e thirti e s C a rlyl e w as writing in c o nn e c ti o n with ,

G o e th e o n t h e id ea of s e l f a nnihil a ti o n m o r e th a n o n c e
,
‘ -
,
’

qu o ting th e s e nt e n c e I t is o nly with R e nun c i a ti on th at Li f e

,
‘
,

pr o p e rly s p e ak ing c an b e s a id t o b e gin ( s e e e g S ar t or I I

,
’
. .
, .

W ith lin e 2 c f T e nny s o n s r e m ar k t o P rof Sidgwi ck.

’
.
,

Goe th e is c o n s u mm a t e in s o m a ny di ff e r e nt s tyl e s ( M emoir ’

,

11.

3 , 4 Fo r th e m e t a ph o r G a tty c o m p ar e s St Augu s tin e , D e

. .

b
v it iis n o s t r is s c a l a m n o i s f ac im u s , s i viti a ip s a c a l c a m u s ,
’

whi ch s ugg e s t e d Long f e ll o w s La dder of S t A ugu s tin e pub ’

.
,

l is h e d in 1 8 58 T h e i ma g e with T e nny s o n is th a t o f a s t a ir
.

cf . P a r Los t v 509 1 2 ( T a in s h ) VII I 59 1 an d lin es f r o m

.
,
.
-
,
.
,

Tb e P r in cess qu o t e d on LV 1 6 T h e u s e o f s t e pping s t o n e ‘ -
’
. .

f or s t e p s ee m s t o b e v e ry r a r e t h e o nly o th e r in s t a n c e I
‘ ’

k no w is in Gay M a n n er ing c h L111 wh e re M eg M er r il ie s , . .

,

is t h e s p e ak e r W ith d ea d s e lv e s c f Tb e P r i n cess ‘ ’
. .
,

W e t ou c h on o ur d ea d s e l f n or shun t o d o it B e ing o th e r , ,
.
’

7 C f Tir es ia s T h e ir e x a m pl e s r ea c h a h a nd Fa r thr o ugh

. .
,

a ll y ea r s
’
.

8 C f R icb a r d I I I IV iv 3 2 1 ( G A C )
. . . . . . . .

Th e liquid dr o p s o f t e a r s th a t y o u h a v e s h e d
Sh a ll c o m e a g a in tr a n s f o r m e d t o o ri e nt p e a rl , ,

A dv a nt a ging th e ir l o a n with int e r e s t

O f t e n ti m e s d o u b l e g a in o f h a ppin e s s .

C f a l s o L u cr ece 1 7 9 7 a n d Sonn e t s 3 1 a n d 7 4
.
, ,
.

t h e r a v e n d o wn o f d a r k n e s s Comu s 2 51
‘ ’
10 C f . .
, , .

12 b ea t t h e gr o und
.
‘
in d a n c ing C f C V 1 7 an d ’
. . .
,

H or a c e s pul s an da t e llu s a lr eady tra n s l at e d i n Cam u s 1 4 3

’
,
’
,
.

T h e r e is an a llu s i on o f c o ur s e t o t h e D a n c e o f D e a th
, ,
.

1 3 1 6 T h e id e a is th a t T i m e
-
. y ea r s h e n c e h aving w o rn , ,
86 In M emo r ia m SE CTIONS

10 .
‘
g al e ’
to m ean
h e r e a br ee z e in s pring T hi s
s ee m s .

d o e s n o t m ak e th e y e w bright e n in c o l our by fl owe ring ( 5)

o r putting f o rth n e w s h oo t s Ga l e with out a n a dj ec tiv e ‘ ’
.

m e a n s in our o ld e r p o e try s i m ply a wind n ot a s tr o ng wind ,

a n d s u c h phr ase s a s g e ntl e g a l e s ar e c o mmon T e nny son

‘ ’
.

g en e ra lly f oll ow s thi s u s e .

1 1 12 ,Nor d oe s t h e s u m m e r s un br a nd it s o th a t it s co l our
.
,

a t t h e e n d o f s u m m e r b e c om es burning o r fi e ry c f X C IX 1 2
, ( . .
,

CI . T hi s int e rpr e t a ti o n whi c h h a s b e e n s ugg e s t e d t o ,

m e s e e ms m u c h b e tt e r th a n m y f o rm e r o n e th a t th e s u mm e r
, ,

s un d oe s n o t d a rk e n t h e f o li a g e .

13 th e e s ull e n fir s t c d : th e s ull e n Evid e ntly a me re

.
‘
,
’
.
‘
.
’

m i s print .

I t ak e f or with G a tty t o m ea n with d e s ir e f o r a s

’ ’
‘ ‘
14 .
, , ,

in s u c h a phras e a s s i c k f or h om e Th e word m ight o f ‘

.
’
,

c our se m ea n b ec a u s e of th e s tubb or n h ardih oo d of th e

,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’

y e w b e ing r e g a rd e d with h o rr o r a n d s o pr e s u m a bly it is , ,

t ak e n by B e eching,wh o und e r s t and s thi s p oe m an d t h e n e x t

t o pr e s e n t t h e a lt e rn a tiv e s s ugg e s t e d in t h e o p e ning s e c ti o n
, ,

o f s t o i c i s m a n d o f yi e lding t o s o rr o w [M r B ee c hing n o w . .

a gr e e s with m y int e rpr e ta ti on ]

III .

H is
i k sorrow a s i n I I di s torts t h e t r uth a n d
s c ,
.
, ,

h e now h e s it a t e s t o yi e ld to it furth e r .

H e re firs t a pp ea r s t h e doubt s o oft e n m e ntion e d

l a t e r wheth e r t h e world is n o t t h e m
,

,
e a ning less .

a n d tr a n s itory produ c t of blind n ec e s s ity .

f e ll o w s hip in D emeter , ff f ri e nd s hip , f or

‘ ’ ‘
1 . : so a f ar -o
’

f ri e nd
‘ ’
.

P la n et s Sun s run l a wl es s thro Ess ay

’ ’
5 Cf. . an d th e s k y ,

on M an, 1. 2 52 .

lin e m ay b e t a k e n with 5 : th e s t a r s in s t ea d of
6 T hi s
.
‘
,

m oving in o rd e r e d c o ur s e s run blindly a c ro s s t h e sk y , ,

we aving a t a ngl e d web o r it m ay b e t ak en ( more pr ob ably) ’

11 .
-
IV . C om m e n t a r y 87

by it s e l f t o s ign if y th a t t h e m e a ning o f thing s is d a rk to us ,

th e e t e rn a l H e a v e n s b e ing hidd e n by w o v e n c l oud s

‘ ’
Cf . .

c x x 11 .
4, LXXII . 8 .

7 wa s t e pl a ce s o f th e univ e r s e n o t m e re ly of th e e arth
.
‘ ’
, .

The id ea s ee ms t o b e th a t o f t h e p a in in t h e w o rld .

8 dying pr ob ably a n in f e r e n c e f r om th e n e bul a r hyp o

.
’

th e s i s s o o f t e n r e f e rr e d t o by T e nny s o n C f C XVII I 4
, . . . .

th e m u s i c fir s t e d : h e r m u s i c
‘ ’ ‘ ’
10 . . .

11 m y : e v e ry o n e n a tur a lly t ak e s thi s t o r ef e r t o th e

.
‘ ’

p o e t wh e r ea s th e qu ot a ti o n m ark s c o m p e l u s t o r ef e r it t o
,
-

So rr o w But d oubtl e s s th e ir i n s e rti o n wa s an e rro r in pun c

.

t ua t ion as is s ugg es t e d by M r B e e c hing an d M r F e rr a ll

,
. . .

1 1 12 h oll o w : T e nny s o n is v e ry f o nd of thi s w ord ;

.
‘ ’

eg . H oll o w s m il e an d f r oz e n s n e e r Tb e P oet s M in d
.
,
’ ’
.

C f LXX 4 LXXIII 1 3 a n d V irgil s c a v a s ub i magin e ’

. . .
, ,

f o r ma e A en VI 2 9 3 ,
’
. . .

14 1 5 n atura l g oo d s o s h e s e e m e d at fir s t ( s e c ti o n
, .
’

but ib is s orr o w s eem s r a th e r b orn o f di s ea s e d bl oo d W ith .

‘
vi ce o f bl oo d c f LIV 4 ; a l s o Otb el l o 1 iii 1 2 3 I d o c on
’
. .
,
. .
,
‘

f ess t h e vi c e s o f m y bl oo d ( G A ’
. .

IV .

A sl e e p he
is e nsl a v e d by t h e dull s tu nn e d s e ns e
of los s wa k in g h e r e solv es t o m a s t e r it
’
.

La t e r ( eg LXV I I I LXX LXX I ) h e d r e a m s of t h e

. . . . .

d e a d : h e r e h e is a w a re only th a t his h e a rt h a s
b e e n so p a r a ly s e d by t h e loss o f s o m e thing fa m ili a r
a n d d e a r th a t h e wi s h e s to d ie .

4 f C f A ug .C o nf IV 4 o f.t h e ti m e a f t
. e r h is f ri e nd s . .
,
’

d e a th I b eca m e a gr ea t puzzl e t o m y s e l f an d a s k e d m y s oul

‘
,

wh y s h e wa s why s h e s o e x c e e dingly di s qui e t e d

s o s ad a n d

m e but s h e k n e w n o t wh a t t o a n s w e r t o m e ( G A C )
,
’
. . .

f a il f r o m thy d e s ir e : r a th e r l os e th e p owe r o f
‘ ’ ‘
6 .

de s iring th a n l os e th e obj ec t d es ire d W ith f a il f ro m

’ ‘
’
.
’ ‘ ’

die a w a y f r o m ) c f 11 1 5 LXXXIV 3 6 ’
. .
,
. .
88 In M em ori am sac r ron s

10 . A s t h e f ri e nd s hip b e gin in c hildh o o d e a rly did n ot ,

‘

y e ar s m a y h e int e nd e d t o e m ph a s i s e th e c o n f u s i o n o f t h e
’

dre am ing m ind But i t is b a r e ly p o s s ibl e th a t th e phra s e is

.

an o v e r s ight m a rk ing a l a t e d a t e o f c o m p o s iti o n

,
.

1 1 12 ,Wa t e r c an b e l o we re d in t e m p er a tur e b e l o w th e
.
‘

f r ee zing p o int with o ut s olidi f ying ; but it e x p a nd s a t o n c e

,

int o ic e if di s turb e d ; a n d t h e s udd e nn e s s o f t h e e x p a n s i o n

br e ak s [m ay br e ak th e c o nt a ining v e s s el ( G a tty ) W ith ’
.

t h e m e t a ph o r o f t e ar s f r e e zing c f X X 1 1 1 2 an d Byr o n . .
, ,

T h e re s n o t a T h a t h e a vy c hill h a s f r o z e n o e r t h e
’ ‘ ’

1 th e will ’
: cf . 2 ,
an d Lx x x v .
3 7
-
4 0 .

k _ /

fi rst o f thos e s ec ti o n s whi c h d e a l w ith t h e

Th e
po e t s v e r s e s a n d th e ir r el a ti o n to his gri e f ( s e e
’

p . H e r e his poe try is r e g a rd e d m e re ly a s a n

a nodyn e : c ontr a s t XXXV I I I .

9 . w ee d sg a r m e nt s a s o f t e n in t h e o ld e r p oe t s
’
,
.

1 1, 12 C f H a m l et 1 ii 8 5
. .
,
. .

But I h av e th a t within whi c h p as s e th s h o w

T h es e but t h e tr a pping s a n d th e s uit s of w o e .

l o s s is c o m m o n t o t h e ra c e d o e s n o t m a k e
Th a t
h is own lo s s l e s s bitt e r C ontra st t h e t o n e of .

XCI X E ve n h e re how e ve r h is m ood s oft e n s as

.
, ,

h e d e s c rib e s t h e s o rrows o f o th e rs A pa s s ag e i n .

T aylor s H oly Dy ing qu o t e d by Ga tty m ay h a v e

’

, ,

sugge st e d t h e s e c tion O n it s d a te c f p 1 5 . . . .

2 . C f H a m l et ,
. 1 11. .
72
T h o u k n ow s t t is
’ ’
com m on a ll th at liv e s m u s t die .
 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

VIII .

T hi s tion by it s s o ft e r ton e h e l ps to e ff e c t
s ec , ,

a tr a n s ition to t h e grou p whi c h foll o w s Li k e V . .

it r e fe rs to h is po e m s but th e s e a r e now c h e rish e d , .

’
f o r his fri e nd s s a k e .

T h e first t wo st a nz a s a s M r C ollin s n o ti c e s , .
,

m ay h a v e b e e n sugg e st e d by t h e Lov er s jou r n ey

’

o f C r a bb e .

5 Cf
. flung a m agi c light o n all h e r hill s an d
.
‘
An d
gr ov e s C o l e ridg e Fr a n ce
,
’
, .

8 Cf
. An d Ly c iu s a r m s w e r e e m pty o f d elight Ke a t s
.
‘ ’
,
’
,

La mia W ith t h e ab s en c e of rhym e in light d e light

.
‘
,
’ ‘
,
’

cf. XIV I 4 r e p o rt p ort ; XXXV 5 8 h e re h ea r ;

.
, ,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’
.
, ,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’

XLI 1 7 2 0 m oor m or e LI 1 4 1 5 h o ur s our s

.
, ,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’
.
, ,
‘
,
’‘
.
’

9 C f Aug Conf IV 4
. . M y n a tiv e c o untry w a s a t o rtur e
. . .

t o m e a n d m y f a th e r s h o u s e a w o ndr o u s unh a ppin e s s

’
,
an d

wh a t e ve r I h a d e nj oy e d with h im wa nting h im turn e d int o , ,

a f right f ul t o rtur e M in e e y e s s ought h im e v e rywh e r e but

.
,

h e wa s n ot gr a nt e d th e m an d I h a t e d a l l pl ac e s b e c a u s e h e ,

wa s n ot in th e m ( G A
’
. .

12 wh e r e th o u a r t n o t s e e o n XXII 1 9
.
’
. .

2 1 C f C 1 7 an d th e lin e qu o t e d o n V1 1 4
. . .
,
. .

SEC T I O NS IX .
-
XV II .

These s e c tions for m a gr o up c o nn ec t e d by ,

r e fe re n c e to t h e s hip th at b r ing s t h e body of

t h e d e a d fro m t h e I t a li a n s hor e to E ngl a nd It
’
.

is prob ably not a n a c c id e nt th a t t h e nu m b e r of

s t a nz a s in t h e s ec tion s is u nifor m .

I n thin k ing of t h e ship an d of t h e buri a l ,

whi c h will fo llow it s a rriv al t h e po e t finds r e li e f ,

fro m his a bsorption in t h e s e ns e of loss T h e .

Vi i i .
,
ix . C o m m en t a r y 91

n
d e s c ription s oj w
of the ,

t e f reem p l ax o f f arrc an d t h e m u ch full e r

“
fl
g

i
w

e x pr e ssi n f lov lov d

.

o o “ “
e l a e M y m
— —

to t he ship th a t c a rri e s t h e d e a d fri e n d a nd to

“ih -W “ m

t h e e a rth th a t will r e c e iv e h im giv e to thi s group —

m w u o

a ton e of s wee t n e s s a n d t e nd e rn e ss whi ch c ontr a sts

M

mu st suppos e d to c ov e r s e v e ra l
w ee k s

For the
d a t e of this s e c tion s e e p 1 4 . .

Th e fi n a l lin e s a re t h e first e x pre ssi o n of t e nd e r

n e s s in t h e po e m
fl
.

W ith S e c tion I X should b e c o m p a r e d Hor a c e .

,

O d e iii lib i a n d T h e o c ritu s I dyll vii 53 s qq

’

. . . .
, , ,

whi c h pl a inly inspir e d it ( C ollins ) P e rh a p s so ’

.

t h e c o m p a r a tiv e
’
rud e r a n d t he u s e not , ,

"
a lw ays h a ppy of o c e a n pl a in s r e m a in s fa vour
,
-
,
’
,
’ ’ ’
a bl e sp e e d l ea d his urn ,
‘
prosp e rou s a n d , ,

p e rpl e x m ay b e d ue to t h e a sso c i a tions of La tin

,
’

po e try though t h e l a st two word s a r e c o m m on in

,

M ilton .

9 rud
. e r th a n t h e a ir whi c h by d a y g a v e s u c h a s p ee d a s

ruffl e d th e m ir r or d m a s t or p o s s ibl y t oo rud e li k e n obl e r

’ ‘
,
’ ’

in LX 1 (s o B e ec hing )
. . .

Io P h os ph o r
. th e m o r n i n g s t a r C f C XXI ’
\
. . .

13 H e g o e s b a c k t o th e ni g
. ht of lin e 9 Sph e r e cf
’
. .

E n oc/z A r den , T h e n th e
grea t s t a r s th a t gl ob ed th em s elv es
’
in H e av e n C f V irgil s m agnu m gl o mer an t ur in o rh em
.
’
.
’
.

1 7 f I c a nn o t d o ubt th a t t h e w o rd s o f
. C o n s t a n c e (King
jok n 111 i v 8.8 ) w e r e e c.h o ing in T . e nny s o n s m ind T h ere
’
.
92 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

are indi c a ti o n s in I n M emor ia m o f o th e r r e m ini s c e n c e s of

t h e s a me s c e n e .

1 8 R e p e a t e d XVI I 2 0 wh e r e thi s gr o up o f p o e m s e nd s
. .
,
.

2 0 T hi s lin e b ec o m e s t h e oc c a s i o n o f LXXIX
. .

5. fir s t e d bring e s t whi c h th ough a t o n c e

.
‘
,
’
,

c h a ng e d r e app ea r e d in so m e e diti on s
, .

9 . So ge ntly a n d s a f e ly a s in 1X 5
’
,
. .

T hi s l ook of qui e t in th e s hip a s h e i ma gin e s it

‘
10 .
’
It .

is an idl e dr ea m th a t thi s qui e t c a n m a tt e r t o t h e d ead a

‘ ’
,

h o me bre d f a n c y th a t mak e s u s wi s h th a t th e d ea d s h ould

- ’

‘
r e s t in earth an d n ot b e t os s e d in th e roaring s ea ; but
’ ‘ ’

h e yi e ld s t o t h e dr e a m a n d t h e f a n cy C f XVIII 5 8 . . .
-
.

14 .t ak e s a f av o urit e w ord with T e nny so n C f XVI 5

’
. . . .

1 5 1 6 T h e c h a n c e l wh e r e t h e vill ag e r s r e c e iv e t h e s a c r a
, .

m e nt .

17 .w e ll s T hi s word is u s e d by Te nny so n in p ec uli ar

‘
.
’

w ay s I f th e pre s e nt p as sag e s too d a l o n e w e ll s m ight

.
,
‘ ’

b e d ue t o a r e c oll e c ti o n o f Sc o tt s P ir a te c h XXXV 111 ’

Th e ,
. .
,

w e ll s of T uf til oe c an wh ee l th e s t out e s t v e s sel r ound a n d

r o und wh e re well s m ea n s W hirlp oo l s i n th e s ea an d pr o
’ ’
,

bably r epr e s ent s an O rc a di a n w o rd ( s e e J a m i e s o n Or ,

if T e nny s on k n e w th e Engli s h di a l e c ti c w ee l o r w ea l an
‘ ’ ’
,

e ddy whirlp o o l o r p ool in a riv e r h e m ight ( wr o ngly ) h a v e

, , , ,

s upp o s e d it t o b e t h e di a l e c t f o r m o f t he s t a nd a rd w ell ‘ ’
.

But f ro m t h e us e o f w ell s in Tb e P r in cess V ,

O r by d e ni a l flu s h h er b abbling w ell s
W ith h er o wn p eopl e s li f e ’

in Tb e Tw o Voices
T o da y I s a w th e dr a g o n fl y
- -

C o me f rom th e w ell s wh e re h e did l ie

in Oen on e
I d a li a n A phr o dit e, b ea uti f ul ,

Fr es h as t h e f oa m , n e w b ath e d in
-
P a phi an w e ll s ;
94 In M em o r ia m s ac r ro n s

XII .

Th e l m of t h e pr e c e ding po e m s giv e s pl a c e to
ca

a wild u nr e st in whi c h t h e po e t s s o ul s e e m s to
,
’

l e av e his body a n d fly to m e e t t h e c o m ing ship .

Th e re stl e ss m o ve me nt of t h e v e rs e is i n str o ng
c ontr a st with t h e rhyth m of X I .

6 . m ort al a r k
‘
G atty s eek s t o ex pl a in thi s s trang e
.
’

phras e by r ef e r e n c e to our earthly h ou s e of thi s t ab e rn a c l e ’

( 2 C or V I ) but t h e phras e app ea rs a ga in in Tb c Tw o Voices

. .
,

in a c o nt e x t whi c h s h o w s th a t t h e p oe t i ma gin e d t h e a r k as
a v es s e l a t s e a ( W h o s o ugh t s t t o wr e c k m y m o rt a l
‘ ’

H e re at a n y r at e it s ee m s c e rt a in th a t th e as soc i a ti o n o f t h e
d ov e an d t h e ar k in t h e s t o ry o f th e Fl oo d s ugg es t e d th e
phrase .

9 At e a c h s t a g e o f t h e f light t h e sea a pp ea r s b e l o w a s a
.

va s t c irc ul a r m i r ro r So in E n ock A r den th e s hip m ov e s

.

‘
T hr o m a ny a f a ir sea c ir c l e d ay by da y Fr om t h e fir s t ’
’ -
.

T e nny s o n s p o e m s s h o w a s p e c i a l f o ndn e s s f or c ir c ul a r or
’

s ph e ri c a l a pp e a r a n c e s in l a nd s c a p e : c f IX 1 3 XXI V 1 5 1 6 . .
, .
, ,

xxx1 v .
5, L x x x v1 .
5
.

12 .
‘
th e m a rg e
h oriz on o pp o s it e t o th e p o int wh e r e
’
th e
t h e s a il s a r e s e e n ris ing C f XLVI 7 1 6 . I t s e e ms to b e
. .
, .

i m a gin e d a s a k ind o f b e ac h an d p erh a p s r o und e d in 9

,
‘ ’

m a y m e a n c o nv e x a s w e ll a s c ir c ul a r .

t h e b o dy t h e w e ight o f n e rv e s with o ut a m ind

‘ ’ ’
19 . .

XIII .

T hi s tion a n d t h e n e x t d e s c rib e t h e dre a my

s ec

s tup o r of a m ind e x h a ust e d by g r i e f a n d un a bl e

to r e a lis e t h e los s whi c h h a s stu nn e d it I n su c h .

a m o o d fa n c y c a n flit a round t h e s hip al mo st ,

fo rge tful of t h e burd e n it c a rri e s .

1 4 Th e s t a nz a is f r e qu e ntly m i s und e r s t oo d
-
. I t is t ak e n ,

to d e s c ri b e th e wid o w e r s s udd e n
’
an d o v e rwh e l m ing r e a l isa
x ii .
,
XII I . C o m m en t a r y 95

ti o n of l oss in th e m ome nt wh en w ak ing f rom s l eep h e

h is , ,

f ee l s h e r pl a c e is e m pty a n d k n o w s th a t h e h a s o nly
‘ ’
,

dr ea me d o f h e r B ut t h e f o urth s t a nz a s h ow s th at thi s is n ot
.

so ,
a n d th a t ev ery t k ing d e s c rib e d in t h e fir s t s t a nz a t h e ,

dre am th e d o ubt t h e mov em e nt an d th e w e eping t ak e s

, , , ,

pl ac e in s l e e p or a t a n y r a t e b ef o r e a f ull a wak e ning So

, , , .

t h e p o e t s c o n s c i o u s n es s o f h is l os s h as t h e s tr a ng e n es s
’

a n d un c e rt a inty o f a dr ea m o r of a s t a t e b e tw ee n s l ee ping ,

a n d w a k ing T h e s o urc e of t h e di f fi c ulty li e s in th e s e c ond

.

a n d third s t a nz a s whi c h s ee m t o e x pr e s s Su c h a c l e a r c on
,

s c io u s n ess of t h e n a tur e o f h is l os s as w o uld c o m e t o th e

wido we r wh e n f ully a w ak e [I a m n ot s ur e th at thi s int e r .

p r e t a t ion is right I t is p e rh a p s a s pr o b a bl e th
. a t t h e u s u a l
und e rs t a nding of th e fir s t lin e s is c o rr e c t an d th at th e r e is ,

s om e w a nt of c o nn ec ti o n b e tw e e n th e fir s t thr e e s t anz as a n d

t h e l a s t t wo ] .

3 4 Cf Ae s c hylu s Ag 4 2 0 f
,
. . O vid H er X 9 f f ; P o p e , . .
,
. . .
,

E l ois a to A bel a r d,
'
2 3 5fi .

9
-1 2 . T hi s
t nz a a l s o is s o me ti mes an d s trang ely m is
s a , ,

und e r s t ood H e w e e p s t h e c o m r a d e of h is c h o i c e n ow
.
,

b e c ome an a wf ul th o ught a li f e r e m ove d ; h e w ee p s th e ,

hu ma n h e art e d m an h e l ov e d n o w b e c o me a Spirit Se e
-
, .

I ntro du c ti o n pp 4 1 4 2 ,
.
, .

13 Fir s t e d : C om e T i me an d t ea c h me many y ear s

. .
‘
,

wh en c e m a ny y e ar s w a s c o n s tru e d a s
‘
during many ’ ‘

y e ar s .
’

1 6 Fo r t h e id ea th a t a t thi s s t a g e o f gri ef t e a r s f a ll o nly

.
,

wh e n th e f ull m e a ning of l os s is n ot f e lt c f IV 1 1 1 2 X I X ,
. .
, ,
.

9 f f XX ,
C o ntr a s t XLIX
. a l a t e r s t a g e T h e id e a in l e i s ur e .
,
.
‘ ’

an d ti m e ( 1 7 ) s ee m s t o b e th a t if h e r e a li s e d t h e truth h e
‘ ’
, ,

w o uld n o t yi e ld t o gri ef but would e x e rt h is will c f LXXXV . .

1 9, 2 0 . W ith th e p e c uli a r e f f e c t o f th e s e lin e s d ue t o t h e ,

a llit e ra ti o n on b a n d t h e r e p e titi o n o f s h a rp fi n a l c o n s on a nt s

cf . VI I . 12 .
 96 In M e m o r iam SE CTIONS

A dd r e ss e d
li k e i x x x v x v 11 to t h e shi p ,
.
, .
, .
,
.
, .

Th e l a st li n e by r e c a lling X I I I I 5 s tr e ngth e ns ,
.
,

t h e s e ns e of c on n e c tion T h e po e m is t e c hn i c a lly .

re m a r k a bl e a s fo r m in g a singl e s e nt e n c e li k e LX I V , .
,

LXXXV I C XX I X C XXX I .
,
.
, .

T hi s po e m m u s t b e r e a d i n c onn e c tion
fin e
with it s pre d ec e s sors T h e s tor m fro m t h e w e st .

a t sun s e t c ontr a s t s with t h e windl e ss c a l m of t h e

su nny m orning in X I Th e h a l f d e lu s ive c a l m of .

-

spirit e x pre s s e d i n I X X X I c o ntinu e s a n d th e r e .

,
.

for e in spit e of t h e stor m a t h o m e t h e shi p is still

, ,

i m a gin e d a s m oving ov e r a gl a s s y s ea B ut .

’
so m e thing of t h e wild unr e st of X I I is a l s o ‘
.

pr e s e nt a n d it would sy m p a thi s e with t h e stor m

,

but for fe a r s th at a ft e r a l l t h e shi p too m ay b e in

t e m p e st .

I .b egin fir s t e d
‘
b e g a n T h e m i x tur e o f t e n s e s
’
.
‘
.
’

r e m a in s in th e n ex t s t a nz a unl e s s an d ,
‘
huddl e d a r e to b e t ak e n a s p a rti c ipl e s
’
.

2 . dr o pping d ay V irgil s O c e ani fi n e m juxt a s o le m que ’ ’

O r Sh ak e s p ea r e s d r oOpin g w e s t ’
c a d e n t e m A en I V 4 8 0 ?
’ ’
.
,
.
,

2 H en I V , l n d i . . .

3 . Cf . XI 3 , 7,
. 14 . Th e ti m e is l at e r .

‘
th e last r e d l eaf ’
: cf .
‘
th e o n e r e d l e af , th e l as t of it s
c a l n ,
’
Ck r is ta bel .

7 .
‘
t o we r : c f XI 1 1 ’
. . .

m o lt e n gl as s : Go ll a n c z c o m p a r e s m o lt e n l ook ing
’ ‘
11 . a
—

gl a s s ,
’
j o b x x x vii 1 8 (o f th e .C f th e . s ea o f gl a s s ,
’
Rev .

x v. 2 (G A . .
9 8 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

5 .
‘
seem ph a ti c Th e l ak e may r e fl e c t on it s
’
is em .

s ur f a c e v a ri a ti o n s in t h e w o rld ab ov e it but it s d e e p s elf ‘ ’

,

is a lwa y s th e s a m e F or m is o f t en u s e d by T e nny so n f or
.
’

s up e rfi c i a l a pp ea r a n c e a s c o ntr as t e d with e s s e nti a l b e ing .

An o th e r int e rpr e t a ti o n is giv e n by C E B e nh a m O r is it . .

‘

s i m ply th a t in s o rr o w m a n d o e s n ot k n o w h is o wn s t a t e b ut ,

m e r e ly i m a gin e s th a t h is s urr o unding s r e pr e s e nt h is m oo d ,

whil e t h e r ea l s e l f is n o m o r e s ee n b y th e m an th a n th e l a rk s ’

r e fl ec ti o n is s ee n by th e l ak e in whi ch it is m irr o re d ? ’

12 I t is t h e f e a r f or th e s hip ( XV 1 4 ) th a t s ugg e s t s thi s

I
. .

i m ag e whi ch a ga in r e m ind s th e r e a de r o f t h e s urr ounding

,

s e c ti o n s Cf H e rb e rt s M is ery wh e r e m a n is c om p a r e d
’
.
,
.

with
A s i c k to s s d v e s s e l d a s hi ng on e a c h thing ;
’
,

Na y ,
h is own s h el f .

17 . As in x i v.

XV I I .

T his fin a l s e c ti o n o f the group r e fe rs b ac k to

the op e ning s ec ti o n I X ,
.

2 . an d my pr ay e r ,
’
etc .
,
pl a in s s u c h a br e e z e e t c
ex ,
’
.

6 . Cf . XI . 12 , XI I .
9 . H er e th e c irc l e is th e c ir cula r ‘ ’

ho riz on .

8 App ar e ntly h e g oe s b a ck t o th e ti m e o f wa iting wh e n

.
,

h e c o unt e d th e w e ek s a n d d a y s an d l o ng e d f or t h e a rriva l ,
’

o f t h e s hip M r B e nh a m h o w ev e r s upp o s e s th a t t h e s hip

. .
, ,

h a s n ot y e t quit e a rriv e d a n d th a t t h e p o e t is e x pr es s ing h is ,

pre s e nt d e s ir e f or it s a rriva l T hi s is p erh ap s t h e m ore .

n a tural int e rpr et ati on if we s upp os e th e s hip t o b e s ign all e d ,

so m e d ay s b e f o r e it c o m e s int o p o rt .

1 0 C f M oo r e H ow dear t o m e
. . An d a s I w a t c h t h e lin e
,

o f light th a t pl a y s etc ( G A
’
. . .
,

C f Sic f ra tr e s H e l e n a e e t c in H o rac e s O d e r ef e r r e d
’ ’
13 . .
,
.
,

to in i x .
x v1 -x vm . Com m en t ary 99

1 5, 1 6 . Cf .
Q u een M a b, ‘
St a r s , y our b a l m i es t influ e n c e
s hed .
’
Cf . a sol Tb e Ta l k ing Oa k ,

Al l t rry c ul m in ati o n dro p

s a

B a l m d e w s t o b a th e thy f e e t
-
"
an d th e Lot os - E a ter s : C h o ri c So ng i , .

1 9, 2 0 . Se e IX . 1 7, 1 8 .

XV I I I .

Th e Buri a l
fi n a l st a nz a s a r e not only
. The
a m ong t h e m ost p a th e ti c in t h e m
p o e but m a r k ,

c l e a rly t h e a dv a n c e fro m t h e blind s e ns e of loss

to a sorrow not l e ss k e e n but soft e n e d by the ,

e x pre ssion of l o v e a n d m ingl e d with r e solution .

Li ne 1 8 re c a l ls t h e id e a whi c h a t fi rst s e e m e d ,

a l m ost v a in ,

T h a t m e n m ay r i s e on s t e pping s t o n e s -

O f th e ir d e a d s e lv es t o high e r thing s .

As y e t ,
of a m ee ting so me h
g t
wh e r e is not e nt e rt a in e d .

T h e s e c tion illu s tr a t e s T e n ny s on s st a t e me nt
’

th a t I n M em or ia m do e s not p r ofe ss to b e stri c tly

biogra phi c a l For t h e d a t e of H a ll a m s buri a l s ee
.
’

pp 3 2 0 not e
. Furth e r h e wa s buri e d in C l e v e
,
.
,

don C hu r c h n o t i n t h e c hur c hy a rd a n d T e nny s o n

, ,

s ays th a t h e d id not s e e C l e v e don till y e a rs a ft e r

wa rd s .

1 . G . A . C . c om p ar es with thi s an d X . 11 ff . O vid , Tr i s t .

1 . ii .
53 6
-
:

Es t liquid f a tove s u o f e r r ove c ad en t e m

a ,

I n s o lid a m o ri e n s p o n e r e c o rpu s hu m o
Et m a nd a r e s ui s a liquid s p e r a r e s epul c r a , ,

Et n on a e quor e is pis c ib u s e s s e c ibu m .

1 00 In M e m o ri a m s ac h o n s
'

3 4
, . li k ely f rom t h e u s e of a sh e s an d p e rhap s
It s ee m s ,
‘
,
’

of
‘
b l e s t in lin e 6 th a t th e r e is a re m ini s c en c e n ot o f
’
, ,

H a m l et V i 2 62 but o f P e r s iu s S a t 1 3 9 qu o t e d by
. .
, ,
. .
,

C o llin s ,

N un c n on e tu m ul o f or tun ataque f avill a

Na sc en t ur v iol a e ?

5-8 . Cf . X . 11 ff . an d I ntr o du c ti o n , p 3 . .

wh at e v e r l ov e s c o n s tru c ti o n
‘ ’
11 . : th e is an

XVI I . 13 .

I 4, 1 5 . Cf . 2 Ki ngs , IV .
34 (G . A .

X IX .

T his l ov e ly po e m ( a n old fri e nd of T e nnyson s ’

told m e ) w as writt e n in T int e rn A bb e y T h e .

fi rst five lin e s m e re ly c onn e c t t h e W y e to whi c h ,

t h e po e t is list e ning with t h e thought of his fri e nd , .

Th e tid a l w a t e r i n flowing u p t h e Bristol C h a nn e l , ,

whi c h as it b e gins to n a rro w is c a ll e d t h e Se v e rn

, , ,

p a ss e s C l ev e don a n d furth e r up e nt e rs t h e Wy e , ,
.

T h e m a in id e a is e x pre s s e d in t h e l a st thr e e
st a nz a s an d i s quit e c l e a r though it h as b e e n
, ,

stra nge ly m isund e rstood A s t h e tid e p a ss e s u p .

t h e Wy e its sil e n t flood d e e p e n s a n d b us h e s t h e

,

riv e r ; but a s it e bbs a g a in t h e riv e r growing , ,

’
sh a llowe r b e c o me s vo c a l an d b a bbl e s
,
A n d so .
,

wh e n t h e tid e of sorrow floods t h e po e t s h e a rt h e ’

,

c a nnot sing or e v e n w e e p ; but wh e n it e bbs his

gri e f c a n find a voi c e .

C f Rape . o f Lu cr ece, 132 8

’
but a p a rt o f s orr o w th at w e h e a r :
T is
D e e p s ound s m ak e l e s s e r n o i s e th a n s h all ow f o rd s ,

An d s o rr o w e bb s b e ing bl o wn with wind of w ord s ,

.
1 02 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

i n whi c h t h e singe r is suppos e d to b e a sh e ph e rd ,

a r e e m ploy e d T h e y o c c ur in I n M em or ia m o nly
.

h e re a n d th e re a n d p e rh a ps g e n e r a lly with a ,

j a rring e ff ec t .

1 5 1 6 C f f or th e c o ll o c a ti o n 01 th e s e lin e s with t h e n ex t
,
. .

t nz a th e lin e s in Locks ley H a l l b e ginning Ey e t o whi c h

s a , ,

al l o rd e r f e s t e r s
’
.

an d c h a r m s : Sc i e n c e e v e ry m o nth is e v o lving
‘ ’ ‘
I9 20
, .

s o me n ew s e c re t I t ak e t h e w o rd s with t h e pr e
’

c e ding c l au s e : Sc i e n c e is m ak ing th e m os t l a t e ly di s c o v e r e d
m oo n di s c l os e it s n a tur e ; m oo n b e ing e ith e r th e s a m e a s ’ ‘ ’

‘
w o rld or e l s e,
’
s a t e llit e as di s tingui s h e d I t o m
‘
w orld
,
’ ‘
.
’

P e rh a p s C a tty s int e rpr e t a ti o n is s upp o rt e d by th e lin e s

’
,

Ea c h m o nth is v a ri ou s t o pr e s e nt
Th e w orld with s om e d e v e l o p m e nt

( T w o V o i ce s ) a n d by t h e use o f
,
m o o n s in XXVI 3 LXXVII ‘ ’
.
,
.

8 . T h e o th e r is c o nfir m e d by X C VII 2 2 an d w o uld b e m a d e .

,

c e rt a in by a p as sa g e in M em oir II 3 3 6 wh e re T e nny s on is , .
,

d e s c rib e d as s aying th a t th e s p e c tro s c o p e w as d e s tin e d t o

‘

,
“
m ak e m u c h gr e a t e r r e v e l a ti o n s e v e n th a n i t h a d a lrea dy
m a d e in c h a r m ing H er s ec r e t f r o m th e l a t e s t if
w e w e r e s ur e th a t t h e p o e t hi m s e l f u se d th e qu o t a ti o n Mr . .

J ac ob s thin k s th e r e is a r ef e r e n c e t o t h e di sc ove ry o f N e ptun e ,

s ub s t a nti a t e d Se pt e m b e r ( an d s o t ak e s 1 5 1 6 t o
’
1 84 6
‘
, ,

a pply t o t h e C h a rti s t m o v e m e nt ) T hi s w ould giv e a v e ry .

l a t e d a t e t o th e s ec ti o n a n d of c o ur s e it is n o t n e c e s s ary t o
,

s upp o s e th a t T e nny s o n r e f e r s t o a n y o n e di s c o v e ry but t h e

phr as e to f ee l f r om w o rld t o w o rld is b ea uti f ully a ppr opri a t e
,
‘
,
’

t o th e pr oc es s by whi c h t h e e x i s t e n c e o f N e ptun e w a s gu e ss e d
a t f rom t h e irr e gul a riti e s in t h e m o ti o n o f U r a nu s a n d M r , .

Eve r e m a rk s t h a t t wo o f th e s at e llit e s of U r a nu s w e r e t e
di s c o v e r e d in 1 84 7 .

24 . Cf I c h s ing e w ie de r V o g e l s ingt
. ,

D e r in d en Z w e ig e n w oh n e t ,

Th e H arp e r s Song in I Vil k el m M eis ter s Lek r ia /zr e 11 x i

’
/
,
. . .
xx 1 .
,
x x 11 . C om m e n t a r y 1 03

2 5, 7
2 . Fir s t e d An d unt o o n e h e r n o t e
.
‘
.
’

So rr o w h a th c h a ng e d it s n o t e H er b e rt jos epk s
‘
2 7 . Cf .
,
’
,
’

S EC T I O NS X X I I -X X V. .

Thes e ti o n s for m a di s tin c t group in whi c h

sec , ,

for t h e first ti m e t h e po e t loo k s b a c k to t h e p a st

,

a n d c o m p a r e s t h e pr e s e nt with it .

XX I I .

C ollin fi nd s a n e x ac t c ount e rp a rt to thi s

s
‘ ’

s e c tion i n P e tr a r c h s 4 7 t h Son n e t I n M or te d i ’

M a don n a La u r a of whi c h th e r e c e rt a inly s e e m to

,

b e r e m ini s c e n c e s .

3 Th e p a th s e e m s t o h e figur e d a s a sc e nding in s pring

.

a n d s u m m e r , a n d d e s c e nding in a utu m n a n d wint e r See .

1 0 an d 1 1 .

6 . cf . LXXII .
5. I t is a f av o urit e w o rd in
Sh ak e s p e a r e ’
s Sonn e t s .

Se pt e m b e r H a ll a m s d ea th d at e ’
10 . 1 5 wa s th e of .

12 Th e i m a g e o f D e a th as a s h a d o w o c c u rs f r e qu e ntly in
.

T e nny s o n a s in writ e r s b e f or e h im : f or in s t a n c e in th e
, ,

e a rly p o e m Lov e a n d D ea t/z D ea th is d es c rib e d a s th e

, ,

s h a d o w c a s t by li f e in t h e light of e t e rn ity .

19 wa s t e : th e p a th h a s e nt e r e d a d es ert C f A H
.
‘ ’
. . . .

H all am Rema in s p 65 ( G A C )
, ,
. . . .

Si c k a n d l o n e ,

R oa m ing th e w ea ry d e s e rt o f m y d o om ,

W h er e th o u a r t n ot .

T h e l a s t thr e e lin e s with t h e n ex t s ec ti o n s e em t o b e th e

, ,

o nly a llu s i o n in I n M emor ia m t o t h e l o nging f o r d ea th whi c h

t h e p oe t f e lt f or a ti m e an d p a rtly e x pr e s s e d in t h e Tw o
,

Voices .
( Se e M em oir, I .
1 04 In M e m o r ia m s ac r ro n s

XX I I I .

O f c o ur s e s o m e ti m e s d o e s n o t qu a li f y w a nd e r as in
‘ ’ ‘ ’
I .
,

C a tty s p a r a phr as e but a n s w e r s t o O r

’
, So m e ti m e s in
‘
.
’ ‘

du m b s o rro w s om e ti m e s br eak ing int o a s o ng o f mourning

, .
’

3 For t h e p a th e ti c e f f e c t o f th e r e p e titi o n c f XVIII I 3 an d

.
, . .
,

R ape of Lu cr ece 7 9 5 wh e r e I a l o n e a l on e m u s t s it an d pin e

‘ ’
, , .

D a vid s c r y f or Ab s a l o m O th e ll o s But y e t t h e pity o f it

’
,
’ ‘
,

I a g o "O I a g o t h e pity of it I a g o " Le a r s T h o u lt c o m e

, ,
’ ’ ‘ ’

n o m or e N e ve r n e v e r n e v e r n e v e r n e y e r H a m l e t s thri c e ’ ’
, , , , , ,

r ep ea t e d Ex c e pt my li f e a r e am o ng f amou s ex am pl e s of
‘
,
’

thi s e ff e c t .

4 5 D e a th hi m s e l f a m y s t e ry c a n a l o u c di s c l o s e t h e
,
.
, ,
a

my s t eri e s c o n c e a l e d in t h e c r ee d s I n t h e me t a ph o r th e r e .

m ay b e a r e m ini s c e n c e of Cy m bel in e V iv 7 d ea th w h o ‘
. .
, , ,

is th e k ey T o unb ar th e s e l oc k s or o f th e g o ld e n k e y o f
’
,

Com a s , Ly eia a s ,
I 3,
’
n o .

6 .
‘
wa nd e r : h e
’
l o ng e r wa l k s in h a s t e t o find th e
no
‘ ’

Sh a d o w but w and e r s with out a purp o s e

,
l a m e : c f LV 1 7 ‘ ’
. . .

th e go d o f univ e r s a l n a tur e
’
12 Pan
. .

1 5 I 6 Cf
,
Ev n th ought m ee t s th ought e r e f r o m t h e lip s
. .
‘ ’

it p art P o p e E l ois a io A bel a r d 9 5

,
’
, ,
.

m e t in t h e pr e s e nt bring in th e f utur e
’ ‘ ’
I 7 18 ,
.
, ,
.

P an f or N a tur e in 1 2 m i ght l e a d on e ’ ’
2 1 4 T h e u s e of
-
.

t o thin k th a t T e nny s o n is u s ing th e c o nv e nti o n s o f c l as s i c a l

e l e gy in whi c h c a s e t h e pr e s e nt s t a nz a w o uld r e f e r t o phil o

,

s o phy a n d p o e try in g e n e r a l ; but i m pli e s th a t h e ‘ ’

old

m e an s G r e ek phil o s ophy an d p o e try in p a rti c ul a r W ith .

‘
divin e ly c f LIII I 4 ’
. . .

XX I V .

But w as t h e p a s t r e a lly p e rfe c t ?

‘
Does it n ot .

’
only s e e m s o now ?
3, 4 thing . is p N
e r f e c
o t T h e . s un it se l f h a s s p ot s d ark ,

m oving i s l a nd s in it s s e a of gl o ry . T e nny s o n s e e m s t o h a v e
b e e n f ond o f c f LII 1 4 . .
,
Lx x x m . I I .
1 06 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

S EC T I O NS XXVI X XVII .
-
.

T he r e trosp e c t e nds but it h as le d t h e po e t t o ,

r e c ogni s e th a t Lov e o utwe igh s wh a t e v e r p a in it

m a y bring ; a n d c e rt a in th a t it m a y e ndure e v e n
,

wh e n it s obj e c t is out of sight h e d e s ire s to l iv e , ,

an d would not pur c h a s e h a ppin e ss a t t h e c ost of

Lov e .

XXV I .

2 . C o ntra s t XXII . XXI II

bj e c t in f oll o wing th e
an d . H is o

p a th is n o l o ng e r t o m e e t th e Sh a d o w th ough h e wo uld ,

d e s ire t o m e e t it at o n c e if f urth e r li f e m e a nt th e d e c a y of
Lo v e .

Io . C f P r in ces s ,
. I II
Le t th e r e be light , an d th e re wa s light : ’
t is s o
Fo r w as , an d is , an d will b e , are but is ;
An d r ti o n is o n e a c t a t o n c e
a ll c e a ,

Th e birth o f light : but w e th a t ar e n ot a l l ,

A s p a rt s c a n s e e but p a rt s n ow thi s n o w th a t
, , , ,

An d liv e p e r f o r c e f ro m th o ught t o th o ught an d m ak e

, , ,

O n e a c t a ph a nt o m o f s u c c e s s i o n : thu s
O ur w e a k n e s s s o m e h o w s h a p e s t h e s h a d o w T i m e ,
.

T h e id ea is r e p e a t e d in Th e A n cien t S age I t is t o b e .

f o und in m a ny a uth o r s e g A ugu s tin e s Con/f XI II 4 4 IX 2 4

’
.
,
. .
, ,
.

a n d Br o wn e s R el M ea I I I ( G A T h e re is a c uri o u s
’ ’
. . . . .

c o in c id e n c e o f phr a s e in M a r s t o n s S ofi non is oa I I ii G ods ’

. .
, ,

n a ught f o r e s ee but s e e f or t o th e ir e y es N aught is t o c o m e

, ,

or p a s t
’
.

See in th e Lo v e th a t is th e indi ff e r e n c e th a t will

‘
12 .
, ,

I3 . Fir s t e d . :
‘
So m ight I .

I6 .
‘
s hr o ud
’
: fir s t cd .
,
‘
l k
c oa
’
;
‘
pr o p e r s co rn
sco rn .
x x vr .
, XXVII . Co m m en t ary 1 07

XXV I I .

2, 3 . Cf . C hill P e nury r e pr e s t th e ir n obl e r ag e G r ay s

‘
,
’ ’

a l s o ( G A C ) S c o tt s La d
E l egy y of t/z e La ke VI x x ii
’
: . . .
, . .
,

Th e c a ptiv e thru s h m a y br ook th e c a g e ,

pri s on e d e a gl e di e s f or r ag e
Th e .

5 6 t ak es h is li c e n s e liv es with o ut l a w b e c au s e u n
‘ ’
, .
, ,

tr o ubl e d by pr o m pti ng s of a high e r n a tur e fi e ld o f ti m e ‘ ’

e a r thly li f e ; c f XLII I I 4 X C I 6 W ith thi s s t a nz a c f a

. .
,
. . .

r e m ar k abl e e x tra c t f rom a l e tt e r M em oir I 1 70 , ,

. .

C f H a m l et I iv 3 2 but T e nny s o n s m e t a ph o r is of a
’
I I . .
, . .
,

s tr ea m c l o gg e d with w e e d s .

12 w a nt : d efi c i e n c y
.
‘ ’
.

1 3 1 6 W ith th i s c o nvi c ti o n th e p o e m c o m e s t o a br eak

-
.
,

a s th ough a d e finit e s t a g e o f a dv a n c e w e r e r e a c h e d ; a n d

t h e phr a s es I h o ld i t tru e a n d l o v e d a n d l os t m a y b e
‘ ’ ‘ ’

int e nd e d to indi c a t e thi s by r e m inding t h e r e a d e r of I I 1 5 .

,
.

As a p a r a ll e l t o th e l a s t t w o lin e s ( r e p e a t e d LXXXV 3 .
,

C o llin s qu o t e s C o n gre v e Way 0] tne Wor ld I I ii : T is ,

"
,
. .

b e tt e r t o h a v e b ee n l ef t th a n n e v e r t o h a v e b e e n l ov e d I n .
’

t h e f o r m o f t h e e x pr e s s i o n th e r e m a y b e a r e m ini s c e n c e ,

c e rt a inly un c o n s c i ou s of C a m pb e ll s jil ted Ny mp/

’
,
z

B e tt e r b e c ourt e d an d j ilt e d
T h a n n e v e r b e c ourt e d a t a l l .

SEC TI O NS X X V I 11 -X XX . .

W h a t h as b e e n ca ll e d i n t h e I ntrodu c t i on t h e
Se c ond P a rt of In M emor ia m b e gin s h e r e ( s e e
p .

So f a r t h e po e t s thought s h a v e b e e n c o n c e n
’

t r a t e d on his gri e f a n d lov e a n d on t h e p a s t ,

.

The id e a of t h e c ontinu e d life of t h e b e lov e d d e a d

1 08 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

now e me rg e s a n d in v a rious for m s b ec o me s t h e

,

prin c ip a l subj e c t of this Se c o nd P a rt I t i s intro .

d u c e d at t h e c los e of this group of thre e s e c tion s

r e fe r r ing to t h e firs t C hrist m a s tid e a ft e r t h e -

’
d e a th of t h e po e t s fri e nd .

XXV I I I .

For th e d a t e of c o m p o s ition ,
see p . I 4 .

7 . Sw e ll wind (9) ri s e s a n d f all s f o r

o ut a n d f a il , ’
as th e ,

m e r e c h a ng e s in l o udn e s s w o uld h a rdly pro du c e th e e f f e c t

s o w e ll d e s c rib e d in t h e n e x t w o rd s .

8 1 2 I und e r s t a nd th a t e a c h of t h e f o ur c hur c h e s h as f o ur
-
.

b e ll s ( 5 9 an d ,
a n d th a t th e s e f o ur be ll s s e e m t o b e
,

ringing p e a c e an d g oodwill an d th e n go o dwill an d p e ac e ,

’
,
’

a n d th e n p eac e a n d g o o dwill an d th e n to a ll m a n k ind

‘
,
’ ‘
.
’

Ea c h s yll a bl e th a t is in lin e s I I 1 2 r e pr e s e nt s t h e s ound o f

, , ,

a b e ll Fo r a s ugg e s ti o n a s t o t h e p o s s ibl e c hur c h es s e e

.

R a wn s l e y M em or ies of t /ze Ten ny s on s p 1 2

, ,
. .

T h iS y ea r Th e e x pr e s s i o n s ugg e s t s a t firs t th a t th e
‘ ’
I3 . .

oc ca s i o n is t h e s ec o nd C hri s t m a s af t e r t h e d e a th o f h is

f ri e nd But s ee x x x 1 5 1 6
. .
,
.

18 H e is a t h is f a th e r s h o u s e wh e r e h is c hildh oo d wa s
.
’
,

s p e nt .

XX I X .

2 .h ou s eh old p e a c e
‘ ’
: ou r
‘
h o u s eh o ld p eac e ; n ot f or ’ ‘

d e ath is e ve r inva ding s ome h o m e T h e phra s e o c cur s in

.
’

9 . ddr e s s e s me mb er s o f th e h ou s eh old wh o
Y e t go ’
he a

ar e g o ing t o d e co r a t e t h e c hur c h .

I I U s e a n d W o nt : Ga tty a ptly qu o t e s t h e m ott o t o

.
‘ ’

th e P ir a te, c h X I V . .

I6 . Cf . CV .
1 10 In M e m o r iam SE CTIONS

An d utt e r k n o wl e dg e is but utt e r l ov e

xEo n ian Ev o luti o n s wi f t o r s l o w
’
, ,

T hr o a ll t h e Sph e r es a n ev e r o p e ning h e ight

’ —

An e v e r l e s s e ning e a rth .

I n I n M emor ia m t h e p oe t is c o nt e nt a t l as t t o l e a v e th e s e
,

m a tt e r s und e fin e d

“
.

H h p i m m o rt ality b o r n with C hri s t ? H e

‘ ’ ‘
3 2 . O p e : t h e o e o f ,

s a id t o Bi s h o p Light f o o t : T h e c a rdin al p o int o f C hri s ti a nity

”
is t h e Li f e a f t e r D ea th ( 2 T im c h .
,
M e m oir I 3 2 1
.
,
. .

SEC T I O NS X X X I X X X VI .
-
.

Th e onn e c tion of th e s e s e c tions m ay b e s hown

c

by t h e following a n a lysi s whi c h h as n o oth e r ,

purpos e T h e po e t fi nds r e v ea l e d in t h e story

.

of La z a rus t h e fa c t of a life b eyon d d ea th but ,

only t h e fa c t H e thin k s th a t in t h e m ind

’
of La z a rus si s t e r c urio s ity as to t h e st a t e b e yond
d e a th was a b s orb e d in lov e a n d a dor a tion a n d i n
this a ttitud e h e fi nd s a bl e ss e d n e ss l e s s s e c u re ly
a tt a in e d by m inds w hos e fa ith in i m m ort a lity
r e sts sol e ly on inw a rd e vid e n ce ( XXX I I .
,

I t is tru e th a t su c h a fa ith is not only possibl e but

s ee m s for c e d on u s by t h e i nw a rd e vid e n c e
( XXX I V .
,
but h e is th a n k ful f o r t h e s a n c

tion giv e n to it by t h e r e v e l a tion of C hri s t s life ’

an d t e ac hing

XXX I .

‘
W h a t h a s b e e n r e v ea l e d of st a t e a ft e r t he
d ea th ? T h e st o ry of La z a r u s t e lls us th a t h e
w a s ra is e d a ga in but t e ll s us nothing m ore
’
.
,

T h e tra nsition to this s e c tion fro m t h e l a st

xxx .
-
x x x 11 . C om m en t ar y 11I

thre e st a n z a s of XXX is sure ly obvious an d .

n a tur a l I t h a s b ee n c onsid e re d stra ng e th a t t h e

.

po e t tu rning to t h e Gosp e l story Should thin k of

, ,

t h e r e surr e c tion of La z a ru s not th a t of C hrist ; ,

but h e writ e s a s a b e l i e v e r who is wond e ri ng wh a t

h a pp e ns to a m e r e ly hu m a n Soul a ft e r d e a th C f . .

with this s e c tion an d t h e n e x t B rown e R el zgz o

'

, ,

M edici I 2 1 ,
I c an r e a d
.
,
‘
th a t La z a ru s w a s
r a is e d fro m t h e d e a d y e t not d e m a n d wh e re in , ,
’
t h e int e ri m his sou l a w a it e d
,
.

For t h e d a t e of t h e s e c tion s ee p I 4 . .

3, 4 D id h
. e l o s e h is m o rt a l s y m p a thy ( XXX T o
’
.
‘

hear ’
: at h e a ring .

6 T h e P a l a ce
.
f i mo il a r lin e
A r t h as a s

T h e r e c om e s n o m ur m ur o f r e ply .

a dd e d pr a i s e t o pr a i se : d oubl e d ou r gr a titud e ; w e
‘ ’
8
.

a r e t o ld th a t d ea th is n o t e x tin c ti o n but n o t wh a t d ea th is ,
.

1 4 P o p e s lin es E l ois a t o A oel a r d 9 1 0

’
.
, , , ,

D ea r f a t a l n a m e "r e s t e v e r un r e ve al d
’
,

Nor p a s s th es e lip s in h oly s il e n c e s c a l d ’

,

e vid e ntly r e ma in e d in T e nny s o n s m e m o ry

’
.

I 5 16
,
H e : La z a ru s :
.
‘ ’
th at Ev a nge li s t : St J ohn in
‘
,
’
.
,

wh o se Go s p e l a l o n e th e s t ory is t old .

XXX I I .

P e rh a ps M a ry did
th a t qu e stion not ask ,

Wner e w er t inon br otner tlz os e f ou r day s P , ,

C uriosity a s to t h e life a fte r d e ath was a b s orb e d

i n J oy pra y e r a n d lov e A n d is not this t h e
, ,
.

pu r e st a n d m o s t bl e s se d st a t e of m ind ?
I n thi s st a t e of m ind is t o b e noti c e d not only
t h e sup e rs e ssion of subtl e th o ught a n d c urious
1 12 In M e m or ia m secr o s

fea rs by high e r fee lings but a lso th e absorption ,

an d e ndu ra n c e of lov e for a broth e r in a high e r

lov e ( 1 I 4 ) T his id e a of lov e for th e d ea d

. .

pa s sing into a n d e nduring i n a high e r lov e a pp e a rs

h e r e first i n I n M emor ia m a n d a nti c ip a t e s t h e ,

l at e st s ec tion s of t h e po e m (s e e CXX I X C XXX a n d .

,
.
,

Prologu e ) .

I . pray e r : th e w o rd h e r e an d in I 3 an d XXXIII 5
‘ ’
, .
,

s e e ms to m ea n
d ora ti o n ‘
a .
’

3 4 ,
Ex c e pt t h e th o ught H e w as
. e tc .

5 . s up e r s e d e t h e p o e t s th ought is m o r e f ully e x pr e s s e d
’ ’

by 1 4 .

8 C f jo/z n x i 2 5 J e s u s s a id unt o h er I a m t h e r e s ur
‘
. .
,
.
, ,

r ec ti o n an d t h e li f e ( G A ’
. .

I 5 s o pure : s o pure a s th e s e
.
’
.

XXX I I I .

T his s e c tion is c o n n e c t e d with its pr e d ec e s sor

in s o f a r a s t h e st a t e of m ind of t h e Sist e r b e a rs ’

so m e r e s e m bl a n c e to th a t a ttribut e d to M a ry i n
XXX I I I n t h e broth e r a d iff e re nt a ttitud e is
.

d e s c rib e d Fro m t h e toil a n d stor m of thought

.

a n d doubt h e h as r e ac h e d wh a t s ee m s to h im a

pur e r a ir H is fa ith is not a tt ac h e d to an y e v e nt

.

or p e rson s e rving a s a c e ntre or typ e ; it c a n fi nd

a c e ntr e in a nything a n d n e e ds no i m a g e o f a l a w ,

giv e r to e nfo rc e t h e a uthority of t h e la w within .

H e is w a rn e d not to di s turb his sist e r s Si m pl e r

’

faith whi c h is not l e ss pur e a n d issu e s in a life

, ,

h a ppi e r a n d m or e ac tiv e ly good th a n his own .

T h e po e t s m ea ning h as b ee n p e rv e rt e d by
’

c o mm e nt a tors T h e broth e r a ddre ss e d in XXX I I I

. .
 1 14 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION

XXX I V .

In
this s ec tion a n d in XXXV t he po e t turns fro m .

’
‘
truth r e v e a l e d to s e e k for inti m a tion s of im
m ort a lity in his own n a ture ( s u c h inti m a tion s a s
m ight b e sought by t h e broth e r of T he
world wou ld h a v e no m e a ning for h im li fe no ,

v a lu e f o r h im Go d no c l a i m on h im if m a n we re
, ,

not i m m ort a l I t is v a in t o r e ply th a t

e v e n th e n Lov e m ight giv e a v a lu e t o life ; for

Lov e would with e r und e r t h e k n o wl e dg e of its

own m ort a lity j ust a s it n e ve r would h a v e c o m e
,

into b e ing h a d m a n po s s e s s e d s u c h k n o wl e dge

Su c h is t h e o bvi o u s purport of t h e two s e c

tions ; but th e re a pp e a r s to h av e b e e n m ore
th a n this in t h e po e t s m ind Fo r if th i s 13
’
.
,

a ll his own d im life e vid e ntly d o e s not Sho w

,
‘ ’

th a t life is i m m ort a l ; it Shows a t m o s t th a t

unl e ss life w e re bel ieved to b e i m m ort a l th a t ,

whi c h is of m ost v a lu e in it w o uld not h a v e

c o m e int o e x i s t e n c e or c o ntinu e to e x i s t Yet .

XXXV I s t a nz a I ( whi c h c orr e sponds with XXX I V

.
, .

I ,
s e e m s to s ay th a t t h e f a ct of i m m o rt a lity
is i m pl i e d in hu m a n li f e ; for t h e t r uth m a d e
‘
c urr e nt c oin by C hri s t m ust su re ly b e t h e
’

truth th a t ma n is i mm o rt a l n o t t h e truth th a t ,

a b e li e f in h is own i m m o rt a lity is r e quir e d f o r

his high e st l ife A n d in t h e s a m e w ay a c c ord
.
, ,

ing to t h e fir s t s t a nz a o f XXX I V as n a tura lly .

,

o w n d im life
’ ’
c o n s tru e d t h e po e t s is t o t e a c h
‘
,

h im th a t life Sh a ll live for e v e r m or e not me r e ly

‘ ’
,
XXXIV . C o m m en t a r y 1I5

th a t a p a rt fro m a b e li e f in i m m ort ality t h e

, ,

world would b e m e a n ingl e ss a n d l ife w o rthl ess

to h im .

P e rh a ps wh a t w a s i n t h e po e t s m ind w as t h e ’

id e a th a t c e rt a i n things in m a n s n a ture i m ply h is ’

i mm ort a lity ( not m e r e ly his b e li e f in it ) b ec a us e ,

th e y would b e i n e x pl i c a bl e i f h e we r e m e r e ly
m ort a l H is lov e in t h e b e st s e ns e is o n e s u c h
.
, ,

thing : in t h e Tw o Voices wh e re this lin e of ,

a rgu m e nt is sugg e st e d oth e rs a re indi c a t e d In , .

th a t c a s e t h e truth of i m m ort a l ity m ight n a tura lly

b e s a id to b e d ee p s e a t e d in m a n s m ysti c fr a m e
’ ’
-
,

or i m pli e d in h is d im life ( C o m p a re I ntro ‘

.
’

du c tion pp 57 ff ) ,
. .

W ith th e s e two s e c tions c o m p a r e t h e m ag

n ifi c e n t rh e tori c of Va s tn ess i n t h e D em eter
volu me .

I .
‘
d impr ob ably a n s w e r s t o d a rk ly in XXXVI I ; or
’ ‘ ’
.

‘
d im li f e m ay p o s s ibly m e a n t h e v e ry f e e bl e n e s s o f m y
’
,
‘

d a rk e n e d li f e or d im m ay p o s s ibly ’ ‘
but s till ’

n o t utt e rly d a rk
’
.

5 Th e e a rth a s it a pp ea r s t o inh a bit a nt s a n d a s it w o uld

.
,

a pp e a r f r o m a di s t a n c e : o r ( m o r e pr o b a bly) t h e e a rth a n d

t h e fl a m e th a t m e as ur e s ti m e Hy m n in A kba r s
‘ ’ ’
th e s un , ,

Dr ea m ; cf . LXXI I . 13 .

9 . T h e God of s u ch
w orld w o uld n ot b e r ea s o n or goo d a

n e s s o r l ov e an d c o uld h av e n o c l a i m o n a b e ing with

,

s piritu a l w a nt s ( c f O r if d im in I b e t ak e n t o
.
,
‘ ’

m ea n f e e bl e
‘
su ch as I m a y b e t ak e n t o m e a n s o m i s e r
,
’ ’

a bl e a s I O r s u c h a s I m ay m e a n a b e ing pl a c e d in a
’ ‘ ’ ‘
.
,

dying w orld an d hi m s el f d oom e d t o e x tin c ti o n

,
I pr ef e r .
’

th e fir s t int e rpr e t a ti o n .
I 16 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

XXXV .

8-1 2 . N
ture w ould a pp ea r to b e m e r e ly an int e rm in abl e
a

pr o c es s o f m ea ningl es s c h a ng e an d unr e s t in whi c h th e s o ul ,

t oo w as inv o lv e d W ith 1 04 2 c f C XXIII . . .

9 C f A l a s tor
. . T h e thund e r an d t h e hi s s o f h o m e l es s
,
‘

s tr ea ms
’
.

C f C XXII I 5fl o ni a n : hill s th a t h a v e l a s t e d wh ol e
'
‘ ’
I I . . . .

aeo n s ( C XXVII I 6) o r a g e s Th e c o nt ex t s ugg e s t s th a t

. .

T e nny s o n d e riv e d thi s f av o urit e w o rd f r om w or k s on

g eol o gy .

I4 .f o rg e t f ul s h or e : t h e s h o r e of Le th e th a t bring s
‘ ’

f o rg e t f uln e s s C f X C VIII 8 For th e u se o f f o rg e t f ul ‘ ’

. . . .

C o llin s qu o t es P a r Los t I I 7 3 th e s l e e py dr e n c h O f th a t
.
,
.
,
‘

f o rg e t f ul l a k e .
’

a s D e a th : as m e r e d ea th or e x tin c ti o n For t h e
‘ ’
I9 . .

th ought of th e s e lin e s c f Word s worth o n Epit aph s a n d .

,

Locks l ey H a l l Six ty Year s Af ter

Gone f or e ve r 1 Ev e r ?
in c e our dying r a c e b e g an no —
f or s ,

Ev e r e v e r a n d f o r e v e r w a s t h e l ea ding light of m an
, ,
.

T h os e th a t in b arb a ri a n buri a l s k il l d t h e s l av e an d s l e w t h e
’
,

wi f e ,

F e lt within th em s e lve s t h e sa c r e d p as s i on o f th e s e c o nd li f e .

24 . f e d gr os s ly a s in H a m l et I II iv 6 7 In , ,
. . .

Ly cida s 2 9 t h e v e r b is tr an s itiv e
, ,
.

XXXV I .

H e r e turns to tra in of th o ught i n XXX I I th e .

a n d XXX I I I T hough spiritu a l truths su c h a s

.
,

th a t of i m m o rt a lity a r e i m pli e d in hu m a n n a tu r e , ,

w e o w e th a n k s non e t h e l e s s to H im who
op e n e d th e m to a ll an d e m bodi e d th e m in H is
life .
 In M em o r ia m s ac n on s

XXXV I I .

Helo s e s t h e gr o u p by
c ex c using hi m s e l f for
tou c hing o n truth r e v e a l e d .
’

1 . Th en c e pti on of U ra ni a g e n e ra lly th e M u s e of
co ,

As tr o n o m y as t h e g o dd e s s o f h e a v e nly p o etry is M ilt o ni c

, , .

Cf t h e f a m o u s a ddr e s s in P a r L os t VI I 1 2 0
. .
,
.
-
.

6 .P a rn a s s u s a hill ( 8 ) s a c r e d t o Ap o ll o a n d t h e
M u s es Th e l a ur e l gr o w s f r e e ly o n it s s l o p es
. P o e t s we re .

c r o wn e d with l a ur e l .

9 M e lp om e n e t h e m u s e o f T r a g e dy h e r e o f El e gy
.
, So , .

in Sp e n s e r s Snepner d s Ca l en da r Nor/emoer
’ ’
, .

I I ev n
. fir s t e d
’
but whi c h w o rd o c c ur s in I 3
’
.
,
’
.

12 pr e v a iling al m o s t s up e ri o r
. .
’

1 5, 1 6 . Cf . V . V 111 . XXI .

19 Fir s t e d
. An d d e a r as s a c r a m e nt a l win e
. .
’

2 1 H e r e turn s t o t h e i ma g e o f th e p a th XXI I if
.
,
. .

23 m as t e r : s ur e ly n o t C hri s t but t h e d e a r o n e d ea d
.
‘ ’
,
‘
.
’

Fo r s e e 1 8 a n d f o r m as t e r c f LXXXVII 2 9
,
’
. . .

XXXV I I I .

T his tion a n d t h e n e x t b o th spring po e m s

sec , ,

i nt e rv e n e b e t we e n t h e gr du p j ust e nd e d a n d th at
whi c h b e gins a t X L T h e pr e s e nt s e c tion d e a ls .

a g a in with his s o ng s .

2 .al t e r d f r o m wh a t th e y w e r e b ef o r e h e w a l k e d a l o n e
’ ’
.

3 C
. f T b e .P r i n ces s VI N o purpl e in th e di s t an c e
,
. .
’

5 C
. o ntr a s t t h e t o n e o f LXXXI II th e p o em of th e n ex t .
,

s pring T h e bl o wing s eas on is o f c o ur s e t h e s e as o n wh e n

.
‘
, ,

fl o we r s bl o w .

9 f o ll T hi s.id ea a pp e a r s h e r e f or t h e fir s t ti m e I n t h e

s e c ti o n s a b o ut h is p o e m s T h e c e rt a inty o f XXX th a t t h e. .

d ea d d o n o t l o s e th e ir m o rt a l s y m p athy o r c h ang e t o uS
‘ ’

h a s p a ss e d with tlie e x a lt a ti o n of t h e m om e nt an d so t h e ,

gl ea m of s ol ac e is d o ubt f ul ’

f r e e : c f LXXXV 86
‘ ’
11 . . . .
 x xx v11 .
- x x x 1x . C o m m e n t a ry 1 19

XXX I X .

T hi s writt e n in A pril 1 8 6 8
s ec tion w as ,

( M e m oir I I 5 a n d a pp e a r e d first in
,
. 1 87 It
is a dd r e ss e d to t h e c hur c h y a rd y e w tr e e an d - -
,

r e fe rs to I I fro m whi c h t h e word s gra s pes t a t t h e

.
,

ston e s a n d t h e dr e a m l e s s h e ad a r e r e p e at ed
’ ‘ ’

a n d a lso to I I I fro m whi c h lying lips c o m e s ‘ ’

,
. .

I n I I t h e y e w w a s s a id to pre s e rv e a n u n c h a nging
.

gloo m H e r e t h e po e t a c k nowl e dg e s th a t this

.

w a s a fa ls e hood of Sorrow s
’
for in spring t h e
gloo m of t h e y e w is k indl e d a t t h e tips ‘
.
’

’
‘
Y e s a nsw e rs Sorrow
,
but it p a ss e s b a c k into ,
‘

gloo m .
’

fl At a p a rti c ul ar s t ag e of it s fl o w e ring a y ew whi c h

2
"
.
,

b ear s m al e fl o w e r s if s tru ck o r e ve n if s h ak e n s tr o ngly by

, ,

t h e wind will s e nd up th e p o ll e n ( h e n c e f ruit f ul living ) in ‘ ’ ’

, ,

c l o ud o f y e ll o w s m ok e T h e s ight is s om e ti m e s a l m os t
’ ’
a .

s t a rtling a n d T e nny s o n r e f e r s t o it a g a in in t h e
,
H oly
Gr a il
B e n ea th a w o rld o ld y e w tr ee d a rk e ning h al f - -
,

T h e C l o i s t e r s on a gu s t f ul A pril m o rn
,

T h a t puf i d t h e s w a ying br a n c h e s int o s m ok e

’
.

5 T h e
. c h a ng e o f f e e ling s in c e s ec ti o n I I is b e a uti f ully .

s h o wn by t h e c o ntr as t b e tw ee n thi s lin e a n d T h y fibr e s n e t

t h e dr e a m l es s h e a d ( 11
’
.

6 g old e n h our of s pring : c f LXXXV 1 06

.
‘ ’
. . .

7 T h e y e w s o m e ti m e s h as m a l e an d f e m a l e fl o w e r s on th e
.

s a m e tr e e .

8 i 2 Th e p oe t int e rrupt s h is a p o s tro ph e with th e w o rd s

-
.

l
[M r re m rk s th t th e s ection cont a ins interna l e vidence of
. Eve a a

its l a t e da t e t h e a c ti on d es cri b e d in lin e 2 b e ing s carc ely c redi b l e in

,

th e po e t w h o is s upp os ed t o h ave addre s s e d t h e ye w o nly a f e w

month s b ef ore in th e l angu ge o f sec ti o n a
 12 0 In M e m or iam SE C TIONS

(t o p a ra phra s e v e ry pr o s a i cally) : but wh at is ‘

So I say ;

“th at I h ea r So rr o w wh is p e ring in re ply ? Sh e whi s pe r s

Ye s th e gl o om is light e n e d but it s oo n
, , T h a t is
,

lin e s 1 7 r e f ut e So rrow s f al s eh ood ( s ec ti o n I I ) a b out t h e

-
’
.

y e w ; an d lin e s 1 1 1 2 giv e he r a n s w e r t o thi s r e f ut a ti o n

, .

T h e a n s w e r is i n h a r m ony with t h e moo d o f XXXVIII but .

,

t h e p oe t c a n r e c o gni s e t ha t it li k e h e r f o r m e r whi s p e r is , ,

f al s e ; i e th a t t h e int e rpr e t a ti o n s h e put s up o n th e f a c t is

. .

d ue t o th e s a m e s i c k n e s s th a t di s t o rt e d n a tur e in I I a n d 111 . .

I t is o f c o ur s e p os s ibl e t o t ak e 8 1 0 a s r e f e rring t o s ec ti o n -

a n d I I 1 2 a s t h e p o e t s a n s we r t o 8 1 0 But So rr o w sa id
’ -
,

y o u did n o t c h a ng e in s pring T h a t w a s f a l s e th e n . y o ur ,

gl oo m is light e n e d th ough o nly f or a littl e whil e But I

, .
’

ca nn o t b e li e v e th a t thi s int e rpr e t a ti o n is right M r Ro bin . .

s on o bj e c t s t o t h e o th e r b e c a u s e i t r e quir e s w h is pe r s a n d
‘ ’

n ot an d b e c a u s e th e r e a r e n o inv e rt e d c o mm as

r o un d t h e l as t t w o lin e s But T e nny s o n s use of th e s e .

’

c o mm as as o f o th e r pun c tu a ti o n m a rk s w a s v e ry e rr a ti c ;
,
-
,

e g in VI 2 3 2 4 an d C 11
. . .
, 9 1 2 th e y w e r e a b s e nt till a b o ut
,
.
, ,

1 8 7 8 a n d th e y a r e s o s till in IV 5 1 2
,
X C IV 8 An d as t o .
, ,
. .
,

s e e LI I 6 L x x x 1v 4 5. A m a n wh o whil e h e is
,
. .
,

s p eak ing h ea r s s om e on e whi s p e ring an obj ec ti on may

, ,

c h e c k hi m s e l f a n d s a y W h a t w a s th a t y ou whi s p e r e d ?
‘
,

ju s t a s we ll a s Wh a t is th a t y o u ar e whi s p e ring ? ’

I I 12
,
T h e k indling a t t h e tip s is t ak e n by M i s s C h a p m a n
.

t o r e f e r t o t h e t e nd e r gr e e n Sh oo t s by G a tty ( if I und e r
‘ ’
,

s t a nd h im ) t o t h e fl o w e r s I n f a v our o f th e fir s t vi e w it m ay
.

b e sa id ( I ) th a t tip s is n o t v e ry a ppr o pri a t e t o th e p os iti o n

‘

o f th e fl o w e r of t h e y e w ( )
2 th a t in I I 1 1 1 2 ( if n o t in 1 0) .
,

th e re is a r ef e re n c e to t h e c ol our of th e f oli a g e an d ( 3 ) th a t
th er e app e ar s h e re t o b e a r e m ini s c e n ce of Sh ell ey Tr in mp/z ,

pri m e I n t h e A pril ,

Wh e n all t h e f o r e s t tip s b e g a n t o burn

W ith k indling gr e e n .

Th e l angu ag e is c e rta inly c uri ou s ly s i m il a r but e v e n ,

if th e r e
 12 2 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

19 th o se gr ea t o fli c e s th at s uit until a b out 1 88 3 th e

. In ’

lin e r ea d I n s u ch gr e a t o f fi c es a s s uit I h a t e th a t s a id .
’ ‘
,
’

t h e a uth o r a lluding t o t h e j u x t a p o s iti o n o f s ibil a nt s in

‘
, as

s ui t (Nin eteen t/z Cen t J

’
a n ,
.

2 1 T h e e f f e c t o f t h e lin e is li k e th a t o f
. Ay m e I f o ndly
dr ea m in Ly c ida s 56 ,
.

3 2 u n d is c
. o ver d : c f t h e undi s c o v ’
e r e d
’
c o untry H a m l et
.
‘
,
’
,

1 11 i 7 9
. . .

‘
in t h e n e w life m y fri e nd m ay a d v a n c e
An d ,

through c h a ng e s unsh a r e d a n d un w itn e s s e d by

m e so f ar th a t a lthough a ft e r d ea th I go thro ugh
, ,

t h e s a m e c h a ng e s I Sh a l l n e v e r ov e rt a k e h im
’
.
,

T h e id ea is sugg e s t e d by X L st a n z a 5 Tha t .
, .

t h e fe a r is not d e e ply s e a t e d but a fa n c y d im -

,

c a t e d by t h e fi n e s t a nz a
’

( X L I I I ) is indi
.
,
Y e t oft ,

-
an inst a n c e of wh a t is c o m p a r a tive ly r a re in
T e n nyson e ffe c t produ c e d by a bst e ntion fro m
,

d e s c ripti o n .

C f Bulw e r Z a n on i
. Fo r h e r a n d th e e
,
‘

will th e re b e e v e n a joint h e r e a f t e r ? T hrough

wh a t gr a d e s a n d h e a ve ns o f Spiritu ali s e d b e ing
will h e r s oul h a v e p a ss e d wh e n thou t h e solit a ry , ,

loit e r e r c o m e s t fro m t h e va pours of t h e e a rth to

,

t h e g a t e s of light ? ( G A
’
See p 1 7 . . . .

5f . T h e f ri e nd , no d oubt is s till ri s ing f rom high t o high e r

, ,

but th e p oe t c an n o l o ng e r s ee h o w o n e s t a g e l e a d s t o

a n o th e r .

s o m e thing s tra ng e : Temfies t s o m e thing ri c h an d

’
cf
‘ ‘
.
,

s tr a ng e a n d C XXIX
’
, 9 .
,

9 D. e e p f o lly i e t h e wi s h h e is ju s t g o ing t o utt e r

’
. . .
 xm . C omm e n t a r y 12 3

11 .
‘
th e gra d es ’
whi ch h is f ri e nd h as tra ve r s e d s in c e
d ea th .

12 .
‘
fla s h ’
: cf . xcv .
36 .

1 3, 14 . M en f e a r D ea th
‘
as c hildr e n f e a r t o go in th e

d a rk ’
B a c on , Ess ay II .

1 5, 1 6 .th at n a tur a l f e a r in c hildr e n is i n c r e a s e d

‘
An d as

with t al e s s o is th e oth e r ,
T h e s e t w o lin e s m u s t r ef e r ’

t o t h e h o rr o r s o f t h e w o rld b e l o w i m a gin e d in C l a s s i ca l a n d
C hri s ti a n M yth o l ogy an d d e s c rib e d by D a nt e a n d ( with ,

r e s er v e) by V irgil Th e word fi e ld s is pr ob a bly due t o.

‘ ’

re c oll e c ti o n s of V irgil (e g luge n t e s c a m pi A en vi . .

‘
,
’
. .

an d
‘
gul f s p o s s ibly t o t h e lin e s a b o ut T a rt a ru s (ia 57 7 .

‘
H owlings is pr ob ably a r em ini s c e n c e of C l a udi o s Sp eech ’

( M ea s ur e f or M eas u r e 111 i ,
. .

or to b e w or s e th a n w or s t
Of th os e th a t l awl es s a n d in c e rt a in th ought s

I m a gin e h o wling

o r of H a m let , V i . . 2 64,

A m ini s t e ring nge l s h all a my i t r

s s e be
W h e n th o u li e s t h o wling .

F org ott e n n o c o m m e nt a t o r a tt e m pt s t o e x pl ain I t s o und s .

li k e a r e m ini s c e n c e but I d o n o t k n o w o f wh at F o rg o tt e n
,
.

by H e a v e n is t h e o nly m e a nin gth a t s e em s pro b abl e C f

’
. .

t h e lin e s f r o m t h e D e di c a ti o n of t h e P a l a ce of A r t ( wh e r e

n ot e h o wling
‘

An d h e th a t shut s Lov e out in turn Sh all b e ,

Shut o ut f r o m Lo v e an d o n h er thr e s h o ld l ie ,

H o wling in o ut e r d a r k n e s s .

[I t h a s b ee n s ugg e s t e d th a t f o rg o tt e n i m pli es th a t s t ori es ‘ ’

o f in f e rn a l h o rr o r h a v e a l m os t f a d e d f r o m h is m in d
] W ith
t h e wh o l e s t a nz a c f Br o wn e R el M ed I 51 52 ( G A .
,
. . .
,
. .

s e c ul a r t o b e z a e l ong f utur e C f LXXVI 6 an d

‘ ’
23
g
- -
. .
,
. .

a s e c ul a r bird a g e s of liv es S a ms on A on is tes 1 7 1 I

’
, g , , .
12 4 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION S

X LI I .

M y fe a r w a s v a in rth th o ugh un e qu a l
. On ea , ,

w e we r e unit e d by pl ac e a n d lov e a n d so though ,

un e qu a l w e m ay b e e ls e wh e r e
, .
’

2 .
‘
s till : a lway s
’
.

5 .
‘
r e t a in : k e ep t oge th er
’
.

X LI I I .

But p e r h a ps m y fr i e nd is not a dv a n c ing n o w

pe rh aps a ft e r d e a th s oul s s l e e p till so m e ge n e ra l
a w a k e n ing T hi s w o uld n o t s e p a ra t e us ; for
.

wh e n h e a wo k e u n c h a ng e d his lov e would a w ak e ,

’
too .

So f a r t h e po e t h a s a s s u m e d th a t his fri e nd
i m me di a t e ly a fte r d ea th e nt e r e d on a n e w c o n
s c iou s life ; a n d h e h a s a s k e d w h e th e r thi s n e w

life h as c a rri e d h im so f ar a w ay th a t t h e po e t a t ,

his own d e ath will b e un abl e to rej oi n h im

,
N ow .

h e c onsid e rs t h e p o s s ibility of a n i nt e r m e di a t e
s t a t e of s l ee p a n d t h e b e a ring of thi s possibility
,

on t h e qu es tion of futur e c o mm union If h e .

,

s ays ,
this Sl e e p is c o m pl e t e s o th a t n o n e w e x ,

r ie n ce c o m e s to t h e s oul its m e m o r y an d lov e

p e ,

will re viv e u n c h a nge d at th e g e n e ra l a wa k e ning ,

wh e n t h e fri e nds will b e toge th e r .

’
I t is ob s e rv a bl e th a t i n T e nnyson s a bstra c t of
this s e c tion (M emoir I I 4 2 1 ) t h e n o tion of a,
.

ge n e ral r e a w a k e ning di s appe a rs

-
I nd e e d t h e .

whol e thought of th e s e c tion wa s fore ign to his

h abitu al m od e of i m agining t h e st a t e a ft e r d e a th .

Se e pp 52 53 .
,
.
12 6 In M e m or ia m SE C TION

c ons c ious life . An d p e rh aps in th a t life its

ea rthly e x p e ri e n ce is fo rgott e n Y e t e v e n so .
, ,

d im hints of th a t e x p e ri e n c e m ay c o me to it If .

su c h a dre a m y i nti m a tion s hould r e a c h my fri e nd ,

l e t it b e to h im t h e g e r m fro m whi c h a c o m pl e t e
r e c oll e c tion m ay a ris e .
’

Th e g e n e r a l m e a ning of t h e s ec tion is q u it e
c lear ,
but t h e fir s t s t a nz a is e x tr e m e ly obs c ur e ,

a n d t h e int e rpr e t a tion of t h e s ec ond an d third

d e p e nd s on th a t of t h e first I b e li e v e it is im
.

possibl e to a rriv e a t c e r t a inty a bout t h e m ea n ing

of th e s e st a nz a s ; but I will a tt e mpt to s e t out
t h e possibl e w a ys of t a k ing th e m dividing t h e ,

int e rpr e t ations into two m a in c l a ss e s ac c ording t o ,

’
t h e s e ns e a tt ac h e d to t h e word he in lin e 3 ‘
.

T his m ay m e a n e ith e r ( A ) t h e h a ppy d e a d o r

’
,

( )
B a m an on e a rth .

’
A He
’
.
‘
i n lin e 3 is t h e h a ppy d e a d of ‘

lin e I . I gnoring for t h e m o m e nt lin e 2 we ,

m a y st a t e t h e m ea ning a cc ordin g to this Vi e w as

foll o ws : T h e d ea d m a n in his n e w life forg e t s , ,

t h e d ays b e for e Go d shut h im off fro m furth e r

e x p e ri e n c e through t h e s e ns e s i e t h e y e a rs b e for e,
. .

h is d e a th ( st a nz a Y e t in spit e o f this p e r h aps

, ,

th e r e m a y c o m e to him in h is n e w life a n
o c c a sion a l inti m a tion of tho s e e arthly d ays ( st a n z a
A n d if this h a pp e ns p e rh a ps it m ay h app e n
, ,

t o t nee ( s t a n z a Th e s e c ond a n d third st a nz a s

r e fe r to t h e s a m e p o s s ibility whi c h is r e g a rd e d ,

ge n e ra lly i n s t 2 a n d in p a rti c ul a r r e fe r e n c e to
.
,

t h e po e t s fr i e nd in s t 3
’
. .
XLIV . C om m e n t a r y 12 7

H ow n ow is lin e 2 to b e c o n stru e d ? In
o n e of two w a ys ( )
a A s
. r e fe rring to a m an

on e a rth . H e r e on e a rth a m an grows c o n

t in uo u s ly ,
r e me m b e ring a t e a c h st e p t h e st e ps
a lr ea dy t a k e n ; but t h e d e a d m a n forg e ts t h e
T hi s in t e rpr e t a tion s e e m s
’
ti m e b e for e his d ea th .

to m e a l m o s t i m possibl e
,
S ur e ly it is prac ti
.

t h e m an
’
c a lly c e rt a i n th a t
‘
of lin e 2 an d h e ,
‘ ’

of lin e 3 ar e o n e a n d t h e s a m e m an
,
I f th e y .

w e r e not T e nnyson would a t an y r a t e h a ve

,
’
it a li c is e d h e ‘
.

( )
6 I t is just possib l e to c onstru e thus : H e r e

on t h e e a rth w e i m a gin e t h e h a ppy d e a d to b e

growing c ontinuou sly ( a n d r e m e m b e ring his e a rthly
Th e m an
’
l ife ) but in fa c t h e h a s forgott e n it .

an d he
‘ ’
are h e r e t h e s a m e p e rson a n d t h e ,

c ontr a st is b e tw ee n ou r i m a gin a tion an d t h e fa c t

a bout h im B ut this int e rpr e t a tion a lso s e e m s to

.

m e in t h e high e st d e gree i m prob a bl e .

V i e w A th e n a c c ording to whi c h
’
, ,
he in ‘

lin e 3 is t h e d e a d m a n a pp e a rs to a d m it of no ,

pl a usibl e i nt e rpr e t a tion of t h e first st a nz a a n d ,

th e r e fore m ust b e r ej e c t e d 1
I t s o n e a ttr ac tion is
.

th a t it a llows us to c onstru e t h e e x tr a ordin a ry

phr a s e Go d shut t h e doorw a ys of his h e a d in
t h e e a si e st w a y
’
Th es e . doorw ays wil l b e t h e
org a ns of s e ns e through whi c h i m pr e s sions fro m
,

withou t m ay b e i m agin e d e nt e ring a n d r e p o rtin g

th e m s e lv e s to t h e sou l : d e ath shut s th e m a n d so ,

1
Surely , l
a so ,lines 3 a n d 4 re ad lik e th e s tat eme nt of a kn o wn
f ac t n o t li k e th e e x press i on o f a m a c guess
, .
128 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION

ex c lud e s t he soul fro m a n y furth e r e x p e ri e n c e of

e a rthly obj ec ts .

B T h e m a n of l in e 2 a n d h e of lin e 3 a r e
’
.
, ,

t h e s a me v i z a m an on e a rth T h e h e of lin e 7
‘
, .

is t h e s a m e m a n ; a n d s t a nz a 2 r e fe rs to e x
i n c e i n t h e e a rthly life whil e s t a nz a r f rs
p er e 3 e e ,

to e x p e ri e n c e in a life b eyond d e a th Th e g e n e ra l .

int e rpr e t ation will b e as follows : In ord e r to ‘

gu e ss a t t h e e x p e ri e n c e of t h e h a ppy d e a d le t us
obs e rv e wh at h app e ns t o a m an on e a rth He .

forge t s wh a t h app e n e d to h im in t h e d a ys b e fore

”
Go d shut t h e doorw ay s of his h e ad a n d y e t a t ,

ti m e s h a s stra ng e fe e lings whi c h a lthough h e do e s ,

not k now it a r e due to t h e e x p e ri e n c e of thos e

,

d ays . I n li k e m a nn e r if d e a th brings forg e tful

,

n e ss of t he e a rthly life t h e h a ppy d ea d m a y y e t ,

h a v e str a ng e fee lings whi c h a re r e a lly d ue t o t h e

’
e a rthly e x p e ri e n c e .

’
W h a t now a r e t h e d ay s b e for e e t c a n d t h e
‘
,
.
,
‘

d ays of s t a nz a 2 ? Se v e ra l vi e ws a r e possib l e
’
.

I S T e nnyson r e fe rring ( a ) to infa n c y or (b ) to a ,

life b e fo r e t h e e a rth ly life or (c) to both ? ,

I wil l first giv e m y own Vi e w an d s o m e

( )
a

re a sons for it Lin e s 3 an d 4 r e fe r to t h e m onths

.

of in fa n c y b e for e t h e c lo s ing of t h e sutur e s o f t he

1

1
[T hr e e would b e n o o bj ecti on in pr in ciple to incl uding the
mo nth f
s o li f e in th e w omb an d in the Epil ogue ( 1 2 3 f f ) T enny
, .
‘

son i magin es th e s oul li f e t o begin a t th e mom e nt o f c on cepti on

-
.

But I see n o S ign that in X LI V an d X LV he th ough t of an y ti me

. . .

e xc ept t h a t b etw e en b irt h ( Cf X LV I 1 6) a n d th e e m ergen ce of

. .
,

se l f c on s c i o usn s s an d
-
e cl e r mem ory rough ly d ted a t the cl os ing
a ,
’
a

o f t h e s utur es ]
1 30 In M e m or ia m SE CTION

c hild re n s aying to my wife a b o ut h e r b a by

,

P e rh aps your b a b e will re me m b e r a l l th e s e light s

a n d thi s spl e ndour in futur e d ays a s i f it w e re a

m e m ory of a noth e r T hi s is e x a c tly t h e

id e a of t h e pre s e nt s e c tion turn e d round .

( 5) A h
’
to d orw ys h r f re n c e to a n
‘
S t e o a t e e e,

a n a to m i c a l fac t an d t h e use of a n e l ab o r at e
,

pe riphr a sis are both highly c h a rac t e risti c o f

,

T e nnyson a n d c ould e a sily b e p a ra ll e l e d

, .

o
( ) I t is possibl e though I
,
h a v e n o t m e t with
t h e vi e w to t a k e lin e s 2 8 to r e fe r to pr e e x i s t e n ce
,
- -
.

Th e a rgu me nt will b e : H e r e on e a rth a man

grows bu t forge ts t h e life th a t pr ec e d e d this an d
,

y e t a t ti m e s h e h a s e x p e ri e n c e s whi c h a r e r e a lly

r e m inis c e n ce s of it : an d so in t h e life th a t ,

follows his e a rthly o n e h e m ay h av e forgott e n ,

it an d y e t h ave e x p e ri e n c e s whi c h a r e r ea lly

r e m inis c e n c e s of it Th e d ays b e fo r e e t c will
.
‘
,
’
.
,

b e t h e d ays b e for e h is fi rst d e a th i e t h e d e ath ,

. .

th a t c los e d his pr e e a rthly life in whi c h h e w as

-
, ,

as on ea rth body a s w e ll a s soul a n d h a d a h e a d

, ,

with s e ns e org a ns in it -
.

I n fa vour of this vi e w it m ay b e s a id th a t t h e
id ea of pre e x iste n c e is not infr e qu e nt i n T e nny
-

son a n d is pro m in e nt in Tb e Tw o Voices a poe m

, ,

writte n not long a fte r H a ll a m s d eath Furth e r ’

.
,

i n th a t po e m ( s ee t h e thirtee n st a nz a s be gi nning
’
I t m ay b e th a t no l ife is found ) th e r e ar e
‘

s tri k ing a llusions to t h e ph e no me non me ntion e d ,

’
h e r e o f m ys ti c hint s a n d tou c h e s c on s id e re d
,
‘ ‘
,
’

t h e r e a s d u e to t h e forgott e n e x p e ri e n c e of a
X LIV . C o m m en t a r y

pre vious life T h e s e a g a in would b e e quiv a l e nt

.

’
to t h e inti m ations of W ordsworth s O de whi c h ,

m ight h a ve sugge ste d this po e m P e rh a ps a lso .

1 ’
t he i nte rpr e t ation of t h e doorw ays is no ‘

stra nge r th a n Gat ty s whil e t he fac t th at T e nny ’

,

son a llow e d Gatty s inte rpre ta tion to p a ss though ’

,

h e c orr ec t e d s e v e ra l of his oth e r int e rpr e t a tion s ,

goe s for littl e sin c e h e p a ss e d m a ny m ore whi c h

,

2
a r e unqu e stion ably wrong .

O n the oth e r h a nd i f T e nnyson we re alluding ,

to pre e x iste n c e h e re we should c e rt a inly e x p ec t

-
,

h im to a llud e to i t e ls e wh e re i n I n M emor ia m ,

a n d e spe c i a lly in t h e n e ighbou ring s e c tions But .

we do not find th e s e a llusions a n d w e d o find ,

th a t in t h e v e ry n e x t s e c tion h e assu me s th a t
t h e e a rthly life is t h e fi r s t i ndividu a l life an d t h e ,

e a rthly d e a th t h e s econ d birth not t h e third or an

y ,

l a rge r nu m be r Cf too LX I I an d 1 0 : a n d a lso

. . .

E pilogu e 1 2 3 f wh e re th e re is no hint of pre

, .
,

e x ist e n c e T h e s e fac ts for m a v e ry strong o b j

. ec

tion to vi e w Fu rth e r ( though I would not

pre ss this poi nt if it stood a lon e ) th e ho a rdin g ,
‘

’
s e ns e ( 6 ) pre s e nts a di f fi c ulty as on this Vi e w , , ,

i t would i m ply t h a t t he soul h a s s e ns e s in t h e

int e rva l b e twee n two e m bodi me nts Fin a lly t h e .
,

po e t s e e m s i n this s e c tion to b e a pp e a ling to

1
[
T
“
h ose wh o so interpret doorways ‘ ’
m ig ht a ppeal to a line in
Tb e P r in cess , VI .

Or port of sense n ot flint to prayer ]

o wn on e .

2
[Still if h e h ad n ot m eant th e sutures sure ly Ga t t s int erpret a
, y ,
’

ti on would have s t artl ed him even s upposing h e h ad f o rgott en w ha t

,

he lzad mean t ]
132 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION

th e n a logy of so me indubit a bl e fa c t ; an d h e
a
,

n e v e r sp e a k s of pre e x ist e n c e a s su c h a fac t-

.

()
c Th e third vi e w ( i f I und e rst a nd it a right ) ,

li k e ( o) t a k e s st a nz a 2 to re fe r to pre e x ist e n c e
,
-
,

but li k e (a ) u nd e rst a nds by t h e d ays b e for e e t c

, ,
‘
,
’
.
,

t h e infa n c y of t h e e a rthly life T his is t he only .

int e rpr e t a tion I find i n t he c o mme nt a tors T hu s .

Ga tty p a r a phra s e s : H e re m an c ontinuously

grows bu t h e forge ts wh a t h a pp e n e d
,
b e fore
t h e s k ull of t h e infa nt c los e d Y e t so me ti me s a .

littl e fl a sh a mysti c hint sugge sts t h e possibility

, ,

A n d Ge nung :
’
of a pre vious e x ist e n c e O ur.
‘

forge tfuln e ss of in fa n c y a n d pr e e x ist e n c e -

sugg ests a s i m il a r r e l ation of t h e h e av e nly st at e to

’
1
t h e e a rthly .

T his int e rpr e t a ti o n s ee m s to m e a l m ost im

po ssibl e I t is op e n to t h e obj e c tions a lre a dy
.

urge d a g ainst vi e w an d i n a ddition it m a k e s

’
‘
t h e d ays of lin e 3 a n d t h e d a ys of lin e 5
’ ‘

two d istin c t a n d s ep a r a t e p e riods t h e first b e ing ,

t h e e a rly m onths of e a rthly life t h e s e c ond b e ing ,

a pr e e a rthly e x ist e n ce
-
T his is sure ly a d e sp e ra t e
.

e x p e di e nt I should s ay th a t two things a t a n y

.

r a te a re w e ll nigh c e rt a in about this p a ss ag e : o n e

-
,

th a t t h e m an ( 2 ) a n d h e ( 3 ) a re t h e s a m e
‘ ’ ‘ ’

I
sopparently B eech ing ( in inde pendence o f his predecesso rs )
a

M ay n ot th e dead f orge t th e li f e h ere as we f orget o ur b abyh ood

Eve n so as w e s e em t o h av e hi n t s of a pr e nat al lif e some dim
,
-
,

recoll ecti on of ear th m ay pen etra te into th e l if e beyond I suppose .

’

Genung an d B eech ing underst and th e doorways as Gatty does

‘ ’
,

but th ey do n ot say [M r B eech ing n ow th inks my interpretation

. .

correct .
13 4 In M e m o r ia m 51101 1011

c ould h a rdly b e spo k e n of a s o n e p e riod a n d so

t h e fa t a l d e fe c t of vi e w ( c) rea pp e a rs ( )
2 O r w as .

t h e soul b e fo re it b e ca m e a b a by wh a t is c a ll e d
, ,

i n Th e Tw o Voices a n ak e d e s s e n ce whi c h ,
’

flo a t e d fr e e fro m a n y body ? I f so an d if it h ad ,

an
y e x p e ri e n c e to r e m e m b e r ( as ea: h
y p it m ust .

h av e though s c a r c e ly an e x p e ri e n c e of s e ns e it
,

w a s a lr e ady a s e p a r a t e m ind a n d c ould not n e e d

’

a fra m e to m a k e it on e ( 3 ) O r w a s t h e sou l
‘ ’
.

i n its pre vious st a te me rg e d in or undiff e re nti a t e d ,

fro m t h e g e n e r a l s oul whi c h p a rti c ul a ris e s its e l f

,
’

into a n individu a l soul by c on n ec tion with a fr a m e

or body ( C f X LV I I with . I t a pp e ars to me
.

quite li k e ly th at this is how T e nnyson i m agin e d

t h e m a tt e r ; but th e n this is not wh a t is g e n e ra lly
m e a nt by pre e x ist e n c e nor wh a t T e nnyson m ea ns
-
,

by it in Th e Tw o Voices nor I pr e su me wh a t t h e , , ,

c o m m e nt a tors mea n ; nor would th e r e th e n b e a n y

a n a logy s u c h as ought to b e i m pli e d b e tw ee n t h e

, ,

e a rthly m a n s forge tfuln e ss of his pre vious e x ist

’

t h e d e a d m a n s forg e tfuln e ss of his

’
e nce an d
,

e a rthly e x i s t e n c e .

T h e re a d e r will re me m be r th a t be s id e s a ll thi s , ,

t h e obj e c tions a lr e a dy brought a ga inst vi e w ( 6) a r e

e qu a lly v a lid a g a in s t this m odifi e d for m of vi e w ( c) .

I h a v e sugg e st e d this modifi e d Vi e w m a inly in ord e r

to bring out t h e c onn ec tion b e tw e e n t he thought
of s e c tion X LV a n d t h e mea ning a s I und e rst a nd
.
,

it of X LI V 3 6 for I do not b e li e v e th a t th e re is
,
.
-
,

a n y r e fe r e n c e i n t h e s ec tion to pre e x ist e n ce

-
.

I will e n d this d is c ussion with a p ar aphra s e

x 1 1v . C o m m e n t a ry 13 5

inte nd e d u nli k e t h e op e n ing p a r a phra s e to giv e

, ,

t h e full m e a ning of t h e s ec tion P e rh aps a t .

d e a th t h e soul do e s not fa ll a sl e e p but b e gin s a t ,

on ce a n e w c on s c iou s life A n d p e rh a ps i n th a t .

li f e it h a s no r e me m br a n c e of its e a rthly l ife Bu t .

a s on e a rth t h e grown m a n who h a s forgott e n t h e ,

e x p e ri e n c e of his i n fa n c y m ay y e t a t ti m e s re c e iv e
,

obs c ure i nti ma tion s of it so t h e soul i n its n e x t ,

life e v e n i f it h as forgott e n e a rthly things m ay

, ,

r e ce iv e d im hints of th e m If su c h a hint should .

r eac h my fri e nd l et it b e to h im t h e g e r m fro m

,
’
whi c h a c o m pl e t e r ec oll ec tion m ay a ris e .

1. h appy d oes n ot s ugg e s t th a t t h e d ea d a r e pe r ch an c e

‘ ’

t oo h a ppy t o thin k up o n t h e thing s of T i m e It e x c lude s t h e ’

.

id ea of s l eep a n d c o n s id e r a ti o n of t h e un h a ppy d ea d .

2 mo r e an d m o r e
. cf C XVIII 1 7 a n d Locks l ey H a l l
. .
, ,

t h e w o rld is m o r e an d m or e ( R o bin s o n )
‘ ’
.

4 d o orwa y s W h e th e r thi s r ef e rs t o t h e o rga n s of s e n se

. .
’
,

o r t o t h e s utu r e s it r e m a in s a v e ry s tr a ng e e x pr e s s i o n
,
The .

i mag e o f th e b o dy a s a h ou se is f am ili ar an d T e nny s o n o f t e n ,

u s es it in The D eser ted H ou se The Lov er s Ta l e ,

’
,

Ay l mer s Field ) n or is th e r e a nything ve r y od d in th e id e a

’
‘

o f t h e h e a d a s a h ou s e in whi c h t h e s oul s it s T h e n th e e y es .

m ay b e th o ught of as win do w s ( a s of t e n in p o e try ) a n d t h e ,

e y e lid s a s e av e s ( LXVII I I) An d if T e nny s o n h a d b ee n

. .

r e ading a b ook on th e S k ull in whi c h h e c on s t a ntly m et with

,

word s li k e a rc h es wall s r oof h e mi ght e a s ily go o n to

‘
,
’ ‘
,
’ ‘
,
’

i m a gin e t h e c l os ing of th e s uture s a s th e s hutting of f olding

do or s But a d oorwa y is a p as s ag e by whi c h e ntra n c e s o r
l .
,

1
‘

I th i s sent ence be cause of a suggestion made t o m e by Prof

add .

L C M ial l t h at T ennys on w as infl u en c ed by th e word arch es

. .
‘
,
’

f a m ili ar t o an ato m i s ts in th e f orties in con sequen ce o f O wen s use ’

o f it .P rof M iall h e nce unde rs t oo d th e days e t c t o m ean th e

.
‘
,
’
.
‘

days bef ore th e arch es of his skull w ere cl osed .

’
136 In M e m o r iam SE C TIONS

ex it s , b oth ar e m a d e P e rh a p s th e n if th e d oorway s ar e
or ,
.
,

t h e s utur e s w e a r e t o i m a gin e th a t a t fir s t t h e ge n e ral s oul

,

g oe s f r e ely in an d out by th es e d oorway s whil e l at e r wh en , ,

th ey ar e s hut s ome p art of it l ef t in s id e is th e s ep ar a t e

, , ,
‘

m ind Se c ti on XLV s t a nz a 3 wh en c o mp ar e d with XLVII

’
. .
, , .
,

s t a nz a I ( wh e r e n o ti c e wo uld s ee m to p oint to
s om e s u c h i m ag e O r a g a in th e b aby s oul m ay b e pi c t ur e d
.
,
-

a s a t fir s t g o ing f r e e ly in a n d o ut I c ann o t h e lp s u s p e c ting .

th at T e nny s on was infl uen c e d by id eas ab out th e wo rld s oul -

,

d erive d p e rh a p s f rom St o i c or N e opl at on ic writ er s ( H all am

c e rt ainly r ea d th e l att e r ) T hi s di s c u s s i o n h as r un to s u ch .

mon s tr ou s l e ngth s th a t I will n ot pur s u e t h e s ugg e s ti on but ,

I c h e ri s h t h e h o p e th a t t h e riddl e of thi s phr ase an d of th e

wh ol e s ec ti o n will s om e d ay b e s olve d by th e di sc ov e ry of a
G re ek e quival e nt of d oorway s of h is h e ad T h e phras e h as .
’

a ll t h e a ir o f a r e m ini s c e n c e but I h av e s e arc h e d f o r its ,

o rigin i n v a in .

[ P r o f J A St e w a rt
. h as c .a ll e d m y a tt e nti o n t o a s ignifi ca nt
s t o ry t o ld in P lut ar c h s D e Gen io S ocr a tis 2 2 ab out a m an
’
, ,

wh o e nt e r e d th e c av e of T r oph on ius H is s oul l ef t h is b ody .

,

s a w m a ny w o nd e rf ul thing s an d r e turn e d t o it a g a in I t l ef t ,
.

a n d r e turn e d thr o ugh t h e s utur es t h e o p e ning a n d c l o s ing of ,

whi c h cau se d s ev e re p ain I t is ju s t p os s ibl e th a t th e me ta .

ph or of doo r was s ugge s t e d by Ari s t o tl e s use of eopa o u in

‘ ’ ’
e

a f a m o u s s e nt e n c e d e gen a n 73 6 b , .
,

10 . If at d ea th a s i m il a r f org e t f uln e ss occ ur s . Cf . Tw o

As old m yth o l ogi e s

r e l at e ,

Some dr a ught of Le th e m ight a wa it

T h e s lipping thr ough f rom s t a t e t o s t a t e .

12 .
‘
r anging ’
: Cf . X C III .
9
14 . i mag e is th a t o f a m an s t a rtl e d by s om e Slight
Th e
s o und b e hind h im or by a t o u c h on t h e s h o uld e r I f th e .

f ri e nd turn s h e will s e e th e p oe t s gu a rdi a n a ng e l

,
W ith ’
.

‘
r e s olv e th e d oubt c f LXVII I 1 2 ,
’
. . .
138 In M e m or ia m SE C TIONS

ti me A n d ,
he with m a tt e r ’

( Tw o Voices ) . Cf
.

on C XX 1 2 . .

8 .
‘
An d o th e r
th e r ’
an d am o .

r ound s I t s e e m s i mp os s ibl e t o m ak e s ur e wh at
‘ ’
9 . .

m e t a ph o r is int e nd e d T h e r e v e r s e pr oc ess s eem s t o b e

.

d es c rib e d in XLVII 2 a s m oving h is r ound s f or S ep a rat e

.
,
‘
,
’ ‘

wh ol e m u s t c o rr es p ond t o sep a ra t e m ind ( 1 ) Round s

’ ‘
.
’ ‘

he th e n m ay m ea n b ecomes r o und b eco m e s a n o rb

,
’
,
‘
, ,
’

p e rh ap s with th e a dditi on al ide a o f d et ac h me nt f rom th e

r ema ining n ebul ar m as s ; in whi c h c as e m ov e h is r oun ds l l ‘ ’

w ould m e an a ll o w h is c ir c ul ar f orm t o di sapp ea r as h e

‘
,
’

l ap s e s b ac k int o th e n ebul a C f or b in XXIV 1 5 an d . .

‘ ’
.
,

ro und in E l ea n or e ’

As th o a s t ar in in mos t h eav e n s e t
’
, ,

Ev n whil e w e g az e on it
’
,

Sh ould s l o wly r ound h is o r b an d s l o wly gr o w ,

T o a f ull f ac e th e r e li k e a s un r e m a in ,

Fix d th e n as Sl o wly f a d e a g a in
’ —
,

An d dr a w it s el f t o wh a t it was b ef o r e

an d The P r in cess ,
l ec tur e s l a t e
O n th e
T h e c ir c l e r ound e d und e r f e m al e h a nd s .

b th in pr nt p s s a g e a n d in XLVII r und ‘ ’
( ) 2 o O r, t h e e s e a o s .
,

m ay r ef e r m e r e ly t o m o ve me nt in a n o rbit m oving r o und ‘

he gr a du a lly b eco m e s a s e p a r a t e wh o l e a n d ‘ s h o uld a s h e

,
’
,

m ov e s r o und f u s e all t h e s k irt s e t c C f LXIII 1 1 Round ’ ‘ ’

. . .
, , .

is a l s o u s e d o f mov e me nt n ot c h a ng e o f s h a p e in M a r ian a , ,

l wly round e d t o th e eas t

An d s o

Th e on e bl ac k s h a do w f r om t h e w a ll .

o rbit o f t h e m e m o ry in The Ga r den er s D a u hter an d

‘ ’ ’
Cf .

g d , ,

‘
we r o und ed by th e s tilln es s of t h e b eac h i n A u ley ,
’

Cou r t An d M ilt o n of t e n u ses t h e s ub s t a ntiv e a n d th e v erb

.

thu s : e g P a r Los t IV 68 5 862 ; VIII 1 2 5 But ( 3 ) th e

. . .
,
.
,
. .
v .
, x 1 v 1.
. C om m e n t a r y

w o rd n eed n ot h a v e th e s am e m ea ning in th e t wo p a s s a g e s .

R o und s h e m ay = b ec ome s r o und a n d m ov e h is r ound s

’ ‘ ’ ’
,

ma y = m ove r ound
‘
An d I s u s p e c t thi s is t h e right int e r
.
’

p r e t a t io n th o,
ugh if s o it is s tr a ng e th a t T e nny s o n i n writing
, , ,

t h e s ec ond p as sa g e s h o ul d n o t h a v e n o ti ce d t h e di ffi c ulty h e
,

w a s c a u s ing .

C f XLIV 4 f ra m e u s e d as in Epil ogu e 1 1

‘ ’
11 . . . .
,
.

C f King joh n I V ii 2 4 6 T hi s k ing do m thi s c o nfin e

‘
I3 . .
,
. .
, ,

o f bl oo d a n d br ea th
’
.

1 4 T h e r e s e e m s t o b e a m i x tur e o f t w o c o n s tru c ti o n s
.

‘
T hi s u s e m ay l ie in bl oo d a n d br ea th whi c h o th e rwi se ,

( but f o r th i s u s e ) w o uld n o t b e a r th e ir d ue f ruit a n d T hi s ,

’

u s e m ay l ie in bl oo d a n d br ea th whi c h w ould n ot b ea r ,

th e ir due f ruit ( would b e u s el e s s ) if m an h ad t o l earn h im

s el f a n e w
’
.

X LVI .

‘
H e re on e a rth ou r m e mory is i m p e rfe c t ,

c a us e t h e int e r e s t of t h e pr e s e nt a n d futur e ov e r

sh a dows t h e p a st A n d this m ust b e so be c a us e .

,

oth e rwis e our life would b e a bsorb e d i n t h e p a st ,

a n d w e should n ot a dv a n c e B ut in t h e n e x t life .

this r e ason for th e i m p e rfe c tn e ss of m e m ory will

not e x ist Th e p a st fro m birth to d ea th will b e
.

s e e n c l ea rly a n d t h e fi ve y e a rs of fri e ndship will

,

b e s ee n a s its ri c h e s t fi e ld Nay l e t t he whol e of .

,

life not only thos e five y e a rs a pp e a r as t h e r eal m

, ,
’
of Lov e .

I h a v e p a r a phr a s e d t h e s e c tion but I a m u n ,

c e rt a i n o f t h e m e a ning of t h e l a st two st a nz a s .

Th e s e c tions of this group a r e oth e rwis e so c los e ly

c onn e c t e d th a t we e x p e c t to fi nd h e r e so m e thin g

b ea ring on t h e qu e stion of me m ory in t h e n ex t

140 In M e m or ia m SE CTION

life c onsid e r e d as a n e c e s s a ry c o ndition o f t h e

,
’
po e t s r e union with his fri e nd A n d in t h e firs t.

two st a nz a s we s ee m to find this Th e po e t in .

X LV h as p e rsu a d e d hi m s e lf th a t t he d ea d r e
.

me mb e r N ow t he thought s ee ms to o c c ur to
.

him th a t h e r e on e a rth though we re m e m b e r t h e

,

p a st our m e m ory is v e ry i m p e rfe c t a n d th a t

, ,

a c c ordingly t h e m e m or y o f t h e d e a d a lso m a b e
y
i mp e rfec t ; fro m whi c h it would follow th at h is ]

fri e nd a ft e r a l l m ay not r e me mb e r h im To .

this h e a n s w e rs th at th e re is a good r e a s on why

me m ory on ea rth s hould b e d im an d bro k e n ,

an d th a t this r ea son do e s not hold of t h e n e x t

’
life. B ut t h e sh a ll i n lin e 7 a n d still m ore t h e ,

n ex t two st a n z as Show th at h e is not thin k ing o f

,

his fri e nd s pr e s e nt st a t e but of so me future ti me

’

wh e n i n a noth e r life so me on e wil l loo k b a c k on

t h e e a rthly life a n d t h e fi ve y e a rs of fri e ndship .

A n d it is not c l e a r w h o this s o m e on e is h im —

s e l f or his fri e nd or both of th e m a n d still l e ss

, ,

c l e a r is t h e m e a ning of t h e l a st st a n z a whi c h ,

a pp e a rs to c orr e c t so m e thing s a id in st a nz a 3
h e p a r a phr a s e a bov e )
( se e t .

O f t he c o m m e nt ators Ge nu ng s ays : T he ,
‘

life ti m e whi c h A rthur re m e m b e rs m ay p e rh a ps

Show thos e five ye a rs of fri e nd s hi p as it s r i c h e st
’
p e riod l e nding r a di a n c e to a l l t h e r e st
,
But thi s .

int e rpr e t ation s e e m s i m possibl e not only for t h e ,

re a son giv e n a bov e but a lso ( I ) b ec a us e ac c ording

, ,

to it A rthu r is a s k e d in st a nz a 4 to r e ga rd i n t h e
, , ,

light of Lov e not only t h e five y e a rs of fri e ndship

,
142 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

union in X LV I sugge sting t h e id e a B ut p e rh aps

.
,
‘

a ft e r a l l t h e soul los e s its individ u a lity a t d ea th

’
.

St a nz a 4 m ight th e n b e t a k e n so me wh a t a s M iss
C h a p ma n t a k e s it : l et me s ee th at wh e n we
‘
,

loo k b a c k on ou r liv e s t h e w hol e of my li fe Sh all

,
’
s how its e l f irr a di at e d by Lov e ; or possibly
Lov e m ight b e t h e loving m e m ory of t he two
‘ ’

fri e nds loo k ing b ac k not only to t h e five y ea rs

, ,

but to t h e whol e of t he poe t s life ( E ith e r in ’

.

t e rpre t at io n would sugge st th a t t h e d e a d fri e nd

’
is n ow a wa re of his fri e nd s life on e a rth : c f l a st .

st a nz a of
[R obinson t a k e s t h e p e rson c ont e m pl ating to b e

t h e d e p a rt e d fri e nd but t h e life c ont e m pl a t e d to

,

T h e l a st st a nz a would th e n m e a n
’
b e t h e po e t s .

‘
wh e n h e c o me s to loo k b ac k on m y c o mpl e t e d
life may t h e whol e of it a pp e a r irra di a t e d by my
,

lov e for h im ; an d thi s wish m ight sugg e st t he

’

thought But wh e n th at ti me c o me s we sh a l l
,
‘
, ,

loo k b a c k toge th e r a n d so l ea d to X LV I I
,
’
I h ad .

c onsid e r e d this int e rpr e t a tion but h a d r ej e c t e d it ,

a s too i m prob a bl e .

I t h as b ee n sugg e s t e d to m e th a t t h e ma in
c ontr a st i n t h e l a st s t a nz a is not r e al ly b e tw e e n

t h e five y e a rs an d t h e whol e life but b e twe e n ,

me m ory a n d pre s e nt lov e I n t h e n e x t li fe th e re

.

will b e not only t h e r ecoll ection of t h e lov e th a t

e n ri c h e d a p a rt of t h e p ast but a lso a pre s e nt
,

eel ing of lov e w hi c h will c olou r t h e vi e w of t h e

f
whol e p a st Th e first thr e e st a nz a s s ay we sh a ll
.
,

re m e mbe r ; t h e l a st a dds we s h a ll love o n e

’
,
‘
XLVI XLVI I .
,
. C o m m en t a r y
’
a noth e r too I f this int e rpre t a tion is c orre c t I
.
,

Should suppos e t he po e t wa s thin k ing both of

hi ms e lf a n d of his fri e nd I t c on n e c ts t h e s e c tion .

we l l with its su c c e ssor a n d i t a lso l e a ds b ac k to ,

t h e id ea of X LI I l a st st a n z a a n d X LI I I l a st st a nz a
.
, ,
.
,

—
a n id e a fro m whi c h t he po et w as d iv e rt e d by

his qu e stion But do t h e d ea d r e me mbe r t he

,
‘

ea rthly l ife

2 . See I ntr od u c ti o n , p 7 . .

3 . Cf . on e o f T enny s o n s earli es t p oe m s
’
,
M em or
y , in P oems
by Tw o B r other s
D ay s y outh n ow s h ad e d of ,

By twilight of l ong y ea r s .

growi ng h our occ u rs al s o in Love th ou thy l a n d

‘ ’
.

5 f oll H e r e an d i n th e n ex t s ec ti on th e s ec o nd li f e
.
, ,

s e e ms t o b e th o ught o f as s i m ply a ti m e o f r es t an d f ruiti o n .

T hi s is n ot u sual with T e nny son but is n e c e s sa ry t o th e ,

a rgu m e nt of thi s un f ortun a t e s e c ti on .

7 . f r om m arg e t o ma rg e
‘
f ro m birth t o d ea th Cf 1 6 ’
. . .

1 3 1 4 Th e b oun de d fi e ld m u s t b e t h e fi e ld of 1 2 I t
‘ ’ ‘ ’
. .
,

h as b ee n s ugg es t e d th a t 0 Lo v e is an a d dr e s s t o th e d ea d ’

f ri e nd ; but thi s d o e s n ot s e e m t o b e i n k eeping with th e

t o n e o f I n M emor ia m e ven i n its mos t em oti on a l p as s ages
, ,

s u c h a s C XXIX .

X LV I I .

T his
s ec tion whi c h c los e s th e grou p r ej e c ts t he
, ,

v a st but v a gu e id e a th a t a ft e r d e ath t h e sou l

is r e me rge d in t he ge n e ra l S oul T h e soul .
’

will always re t a in its i nd ividu a lity a n d t he fri e nds ,

will k now o n e a n oth e r an d b e toge th e r f or e v e r .

O r i f not thi s y e t t h e l e a st th a t Lov e as we k now

, ,
’

it on e a rth d e m a nds is th a t b e for e we los e

, ,
‘
1 44 In M em o r iam SE C TIONS
’
ours e lve s i n light we Should m e e t a g a in to s ay ,

fa r e we ll .

H e r e t h e a pp e a l is to t h e d e m a nd of Love
( c f X
. L V I I 3 I 6 ) A diffe r e nt ground of o b jec
.
-
.

tion is t a k e n i n t he words rec ord e d i n t h e M emoir ,

I f t h e a bs o rption into t h e divin e in t h e

‘
I 3 19 :
.

a ft e r life b e t h e c r e e d of so me
-
l e t th e m at a ll ,

e v e nts a llow us m a ny e x ist e n c e s of i ndividu a lity

b e fore this a bsorption sin c e this s hort live d in divi ,

-

du al ity s e e m s to b e but too short a pre p a rati o n

for so m ighty a u nion W ith t h e l ast words c f .
’
.

‘
v a st e r d r ea m See p 53
’
. .

T h e li n e s in t h e D edica tory P oem t o theP r in ces s

ll
if wh a t we ca

T h e s p i rit fl a s h n ot a ll a t o n ce f ro m o ut

T hi s s h a d o w int o Sub s ta n c e ,

s e e m a t first to re fe r to this a bsorption into t h e ‘

’
divin e but I thin k t h e id e a is r ath e r th a t for a
, ,

ti m e a fte r d e a th t h e soul m ay r e t a in tr ac e s of its

,

ea rthly e x i s t e n c e wh e re it w as surround e d by ,

Sh a dows or a pp e a ra n ce s but th at l at e r it los e s ,

th e s e tra c e s a n d b e c o me s wholly re a l or sub

s t an t ial without how e v e r ,
losing its individu ality , ,
.

T his notion of a gra du a l s e p a ra tion fro m e a rthly

life a pp e a rs e ls e whe re i n Te nnyson e g in The ,
. .

R ing .

42 -
. Se e
9 o n X LV r.e me rging
. i m ply‘
t hAg ain
e
’
an d
‘ ’

e m e rg e n c e f r om t h e g e n e r a l So ul d e s c rib e d in X LV .

1 3 T he l as t a n d s h arp es t h e ight c or r es p o nd s t o th e l as t
‘ ’
.

of t h e m a ny e x i s t e n c es o f individu a lity
‘
Cf Fr om s ta t e .
’
.

t o s t a t e t h e s pirit w a l k s ( LXXXII an d XXX 2 7 2 8 Th e

’
. . .
,
1 46 In M e m o rI am SE C TIONS

10 . T h e m ea ning d oes b ett er s till wh ens e em s to b e, n ot :

‘
,

f oll o wing a wh ol e s om e l aw s h e h old s it e t c but is m o r e , ,

’
.
,
‘

tru e to a wh o l e s om e l a w wh e n s h e r ef ra in s f rom dra wing th e

d ee p e s t m eas ure f rom t h e ch o rd s th a n sh e w ould b e if s h e
did dra w it M r F erra ll s ugg e s t s an o th e r int e rpr et ati on
.
’
.

T ru e So rr o w m e r e ly s p o rt s with w ord s but in d o ing s o s h e

, ,

a t t h e s a m e ti m e s e rv e s a b e tt e r p urp ose an d o b s e rv es a

wh o l e some l aw an d if sh e t r ifl es it is b e c au s e s h e h old s it , ,
’

e t c th e u s e o f
.
, b e tt e r b e ing s om e wh a t li k e M ilt o n s in l as t
‘ ’ ’ ‘

in th e tra in of night I f b e tt er th ou b e l ong n ot t o th e d awn , ,

’

P a r Los t, . V . 167 .

I
16t ea r s thi s s ugges t s th e m et aph or of
.
‘
th e n ex t s ec ti on ,

with whi c h c f X VI 5 f f . . .

X LI X .

I . h l s o f th e ol o gy an d phil os oph y
‘
th e s c oo .

5 light
. e s t ‘
: t h e p oe t did n o t n o ti ce th a t h e h ad u s e d
’

‘
light in 3 ’
.

8 c ri s p :
. c url
‘
rippl e a v e rb C f P a r Los t IV 2 3 7
’ ‘
,
’
,
’
. . .
,
.
,

t h e c ri s p e d br o ok s T h e w o rd o cc ur s of t e n in T e n n y s on s
’ ’
.

ea rly p o e m s T o w at c h t h e c ri s ping rippl e s on t h e

‘
eg ,
. .

b eac h (Lotos E a ter s ) ’ -

.

9 H e .a ddr e s s e s t h e tr a v e ll e r a s in X X I ,
.

16 b a s es th e m e t aph or s ee ms t o b e c h ang e d
.
‘
.

SEC T I O NS L -LV I
. .

T he ses ev e n po e m s a r e unit ed into a group by

c e rt a in c h a rac t e risti c s ( )
1 T h e y st a rt fro m an d .
,
’
r e turn to ( LV I t h e po e t s d e sir e for p r esen t
.

c o mm u nion w ith his fri e nd a d e sir e whi c h h a s ,

s c a rc e ly a pp e are d u p to thi s point ( 2 ) Th e ma i n .

subj e c t how e v e r is not this pre s e nt c o m munion

, ,
XLVII I . L
-
. C o m m en t a r y

but p a in d e fec t an d e vil i n t h e world an d

t he , , ,

th e doubts whi c h th e y c a st U pon t h e fa ith th a t

Lov e is C r ea tion s fin a l l aw a n d th a t m an is not
’ ’

m a d e to d ie Th e probl e m is first sugg e st e d by

.

t h e po e t s c ons c iousn e ss o f his own d e f e c t is th e n

’
,

r a pidly ge n e r a lis e d a n d fin a lly c on c e n tr a t e s

its e l f a g a in on t h e qu e stion of i mm ort a lity ( LV .

,

(3) N a tur a l ly so m e of th e s e po e m s a r e ,

m ore p assion a te a n d wild ( LV I I 4 ) th a n thos e ‘ ’

.
,

of t he pr e c e ding grou p so th a t th e a pology o f ,

X LV I I I X LI X wou ld b e in appropri at e i n r e fe r e n ce
.
,
.
,

to th e m .

of t he Op e ning s e c tions of M a ud e x pr e ss
So m e
dra m a ti c a lly but with m u c h l e ss c on c e ntr a tion
, ,

t h e m ood d e s c rib e d in this fa m ou s s ec ti o n Cf . .

a lso with st a n z a I t h e l in e s in Th e Tw o Voices

’
li f e wh er eof o ur n e rves ar e s c an t
T is , ,

O h li f e n o t d eath f or Whi c h we p a nt ;
, ,

M or e li f e an d f ull e r th at I w a nt
, ,
.

10 . T h e s u mm e r fl y of Sh ak es p ear e an d M ilt o n ( S a ms on
-
,

67 6)
11 . ting a n d s ing T h e c on t em ptu ou s rhy m e is p e rh a p s
s .
’

an un c o n s c i ou s r e mini s c en c e of P op e s c oupl e t ( Epis tl e to ’

Dr A r hu th n ot,
.

Ye t thi s bug with gild e d wing s

l e t m e fl ap ,

T hi s p a int e d c hild o f dirt th a t s ti n k s a n d s ting s , .

14 . p o int th e t e rm po int to the li m it .

1 5, 1 6 . Cf . X CV . 6 3 , 64 .
1 48 In M em o r iam SE C TIONS

LI .

T hough h e
Sh a re s th a t b as e n e ss o f m en whi c h
so me ti me s a l most d e stroys his fa ith ( L s t he .
,
.

s till wish e s his fri e nd to b e n e a r h im a lw ay s Th e .

d ea d who s ee a l l c an m ak e a llow a n c e for a l l O n

, , .
’

t h e d a t e of c o m position s ee p 1 6 , . .

10 . Sh a ll I wh o l ove
guilty of a wa nt of f a ith th a t
h im b e
w ould in c ur h is bl ame ? n o t I thin k He will n ot bl ame a
’
, ,

wa nt of f a ith whi c h a ri s es f r om l ov e n or Sh all I as c rib e ’

,

t o on e w h o l o ve s m e a bl am e abl e w a nt of f a ith ? n or Sh a ll ’
,

I o wing t o m y w a nt of f a ith find s o m ething bl am e w orthy in

, ,

o n e wh o l o v e s m e ? T h e ob s c urity is d ue p a rtly t o t h e
’

f a c t th a t l o v e r e c a ll s l o ve in 8 whil e bl a me d r ec a ll s
‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’
,
‘
bl am e in 6 ’
.

H is own i m p e rfe c tion e v e n t h e i m p e rfe c tion

‘
,

of his lov e m ust not we ak e n his fa ith

, NO id e a l .

c a n k ee p its worshipp e r wh o lly tru e to it y e t his ,

worship r e ma ins in Spit e of d e fe c ts T h e s e will .

’
drop a wa y o n e d ay : good is t h e fin al go a l of ill .

_ 5
1 -
. firs t lin e s s eem at firs t t o re f e r m er e ly t o h is
The
p oems I t c ann o t b e th at I truly l ov e th e e f or if I did m y
.
, ,

wo rd s w o uld giv e a tru e i m ag e o f th ee in s t ea d o f b e ing m e re

w o rd s th o se r ec o rd s o f s up erfic i al m o od s whi c h h e h as s o
,
’

o f t e n d ec l ar e d th e m t o b e ( th e m e t a ph o r in 2 m ay b e d u e t o

th e i m a g e in But prob ably t h e m ea ning o f lin e s 1

an d 2 is m o r e g e n er a l : If I truly l ove d th e e I s h o uld b e
‘

m o r e li k e th e e n ot s o f ull of i mp e rf ec ti o n ( s e e LL ) ; a n d
,
’

thi s s ugg es t s h is p oe m s th e mo s t o bvi o u s in s t a n c e o f h is

,

f a iling t o r efl e c t th e thing b el ov e d
’
.

4 C
. o llin s qu o t e s P e r s iu s S at 1 1 0
,4 S u m m a d e l u
. m b e .
,

s a liv a H o c n a t a t in l ab r is c f n o t e on XVII I 3 4
’
. .
.
,
1 50 In M em or ia m SE CTIONS

s af e ly di sc u s s e d by th e f e w wa s e vid e ntly a m ark e d c h ar ac ,

t e r is t ic o f T e nny s o n .

9 . O r if fir s t e d
, O h if ( a l a t e c h a ng e )
’
.
‘
,
’
.

13 .Ev e n if e vil is s om e ti m e s t h e c o nditi o n of g ood th a t ,

d o es n ot l e s s en th e di ff e re n c e b e tw ee n th e m H old t o th e .

g oo d an d m ak e it s n a tur e C l ea r t o y o ur s el f T hi s w a rning
,
’

.
’

h a s n ot s a v e d th e a uth o r f r o m b e ing r e pr e s e nt e d as tru s ting

th at e rr or an d f olly an d s in an d s u ff e ring ar e g ood o nly
‘
,

m i s und e r s t oo d .

1 4 C f Com u s 4 7 6
. . divin e phil oso phy an d XXIII 2 2
, ,
‘
,
’
. .

LI V .

‘
W e trust th a t good will fin a l go a l of b e the
a ll e vil a n d th a t in t h e e n d no life will prov e to
,

b e w a st e d or d e s troy e d B ut w e k now n othing .

,

we h a v e but blind trust or e v e n l e ss blind ,

—

’
longing .

H e h as b e e n le d on fro m his own d e fe c ts to

c on s id e r e vil in a ll its for m s .

1 .
‘
O h y et ’
: th o ugh we h e s it a t e to a c c e pt th e
‘
d oc trin e ’

of LI II ( F e rr a ll). .

3 4 , .
‘
np a ng s
a tur e c f L 5 6of
; Sin s o f will c f L I 3 ,
’
. .
,
‘
,
’
. .
,

4 L1 1 1 6 1 6
,
. de f e c t s o f
,
c f L a n d LI 9 1 0 : t a int s . . .
,
‘

o f bl o od c f 111 1 5 with L 7 1 2
’ -
. . . .
,

7 L
. i k e t h e s h e ll o f LI I 1 6 ‘
H e is r e turning t ’
o t h e . .

pr obl e m of li f e b e y o nd th e grav e ( s e e
2 T hi t nz in it s c o nn e c ti o n with th o s e th a t pr e c e d e
9 1 s s a a
-
.
,

an d f o ll o w it i m pli es a tru s t th a t in th e e n d goo d s h a ll f all ’

,

t o a ni m a l s a s w e ll a s m en but I k n o w n o s ign e l s e wh e re in
T e nny son s p oem s of a n id ea th a t a ni m a l s m ay liv e a g a in or
’
,

in s om e o th e r w ay find th eir p a in an d d eath g a in t o th e m ‘ ’

.

C f n o t e o n LV 2 0
. . .

12 but : m e r e ly
.
‘ ’
.

13 C f P r ol ogu e 2 1
. .
,
.
 - 1v . . C om m en t a r y

15 .
‘
at las t ’
: at th e
‘
f ar -
of f div in e e v e nt ’
of th e l as t lin es
of I n M em or i a m . Cf . Tw o Voices

h e a r a H ea v e nly Fri e nd
He s ee m s to ,

An d thr o thi ck v e il s t o a ppr e h e nd

’

A l ab our w o rk ing t o a n e n d .

1 8 Cf . C XXIV 1 9 . . .

2 0 No t a bl e ev e n t o s ay wh a t it is h e c r i e s f o r
. . Fo r th e

s i m il e c f H e rb e rt Th e Col l a r
.
,
.

LV .

d e sir e th a t no life s hould fa il b eyond t h e

T his
grav e s ee m s to b e a d ivin e instin c t in us for .
,

N a tu re a pp e ars so c a re l e ss of individu a l li fe th a t
s h e l e nds it no s u pport ; n a y h e r t e s ti m ony s ee m s ,

SO hostil e th a t h e c a n b a r e ly su st a in a d u m b trust
in t h e divin e Lov e whi c h h e fee l s to b e Lord
of a ll .
’

O n t h e id e a s of thi s s e c tion a n d t h e n e x t s e e
I ntrodu c tion pp 55 f f a n d M em oir I ; 3 1 2 ff ,
. .
, ,
.

7, 8 .
‘
La n atur e s e m b a rr a s s e
’
pe u d es individu s ,
e ll e ne
’
s o c c upe qu e de l e s p ec e
’ ’
Buf f o n .

1 4, 1 5 . Soph oc l e s , A n tig 8 53
Cf . . .

16 .
‘
d ark n e s s c f C XXIV 2 3 Cf . . . . an d c o ntras t P r in ces s ,
VI I .

th a t o ut o f Le th e s cal e s with m an
Fo r Sh e
Th e s hining s t e p s o f N a tur e .

18 An d g a th e r du s t a n d c h a f f : in trying t o r e a s o n
.
‘ ’
.

a du s t o f s y s t em s an d o f c r e e d s
‘ ’
Cf Tw o Voi ces

“
. .

19 C f P ro l o gu e s t a nz a 2
. .
,
.

th e l a rg e r h o p e : h e m e a n s by th e l a rg e r h o p e
‘ ’ ‘
20 .

th a t th e wh o l e hu m a n r ac e w ould thr o ugh p e rh a p s a g e s of , ,

s u f f e ring b e a t l e ngth purifi e d a n d s a v e d

, M em oir I 3 2 1 ,
’
, . .

I s thi s a l so t h e divin e e v e nt ? ’
 1 52 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

LV I .

‘
N
ture s e e m s to c a re for t he k ind no m or e
a

th a n t he individu a l to produ c e l ife a n d d e ath with ,

e qu a l indiff e r e n c e to s e t no v a lu e on t h e spiritu a l ,

a c hi e v e m e nt a n d possibiliti e s of ma n a n d th e r e ,

fore to pro m is e him only e x tin c tion If so his .

,

li fe is a hid e ou s an d futil e s e l f c ontra di c tion -

.

B ut th e re is no solution of this riddl e for us on

’
e a rth .

W ith t h e p a ssion at e distre ss of this s e c tion

shou ld b e c ontr a ste d t he ton e o f XXX I V wh e r e .
,

t h e s a m e subj e c t wa s a ppro a c h e d but t h e co n ,

fide n c e in i m m ort a lity w as undisturb e d .

1 . Se e 7 Lv . .

2 . C li f f an d qua rry ar e f ull of th e f os s il s of ex tin c t s p ec i es .

‘
sca rp e d ’
: c ut a w ay v e rti c ally so as to expose the

s tra t a .

7 . s pirit
th at it do e s an d pr o mi s es 1 0
,
’
an d all

9 f f For t h e p oe t s o wn b e li ef s e e C XVIII
’
. .

w intry a n s w e r s t o f ruitl es s in 1 2 C f LIV 1 6 T h e

‘ ’ ‘ ’
11 . . . . .

id ea a s th e n ex t s t anz a s h o ws is th at th e a pp ar e nt f ruitl e ss
, ,

n e s s of h is pra i s es an d pra y er s did n ot sh ak e h is f a ith .

2 0 Li k e an y o th e r f o s s il
. .

2 1 No more ? r ef e r s b a ck t o lin e 8 th e id e a o f whi c h

.
‘ ’
,

m u s t b e t ak e n t o in c lud e th e co n se qu e n c es dra wn f r om i t in
s t anz as 3 5 - .

A m on s ter e t c I f al l th a t w e c ount high e s t in m an

,
’
.

e nd s in e x tin c ti o n h is n atur e is th a t of th e m on s t e r s of
,

fi c ti on o r s u ch an in c on gru ou s c ombin ati o n as o c c ur s in

,

a dr e a m Th e d r a g o n of th e fir s t a g e s of t h e ea rth m ay
‘ ’
.

s e e m h o rribl e t o u s but a t l e a s t it w as in h a rm o ny with

,

it s e l f T h e p o int is n ot th a t m an if d oome d t o extin c ti on

.
, ,

would b e in di s cord with th e r e s t o f N atur e but th at h e ,

w ould b e in di sc ord with hi msel f Th e c on clu s i on h ere .

,
1 54 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

c o me a wa y fro m t he gra v e ov e r whi c h th e y h av e

be e n Singing H e will c o m e t o o bu t to t h e
.
,

e n d of life h e will a lw ay s b e sil e ntly r e p ea tin g

his fa re we ll .

O n t h e position of this s ec tion in t h e e l e gy

s e e I ntrodu c tion pp 2 8 2 9 , .
,
.

I n t h e M emoir I 3 0 6 th e r e is p rint e
,
d a .
,

s ec tion c a ll e d Th e Gr a ve ( origin a lly NO .

whi c h be gins
I k e e p n o m o r e a l o n e di s tr es s ,

T h e c r o wd h a v e c o m e t o s ee thy gr av e ,

Sm a ll th a n k s o r c r e dit s h a ll I h a v e ,

But th e s e s h all Se e it n o n e th e l es s .

T his st a nz a h e lps to e x pl a in t h e s e c ond st a nz a

of t h e pr e s e n t po e m whi c h w a s I pr e s u m e , , ,

s ubstitut e d for Th e Gr a ve .

T h e c ontra st b e twe e n t h e styl e of t h e first

t wo st a nz a s a n d th a t of t h e l a st t w o is v e ry
e f f e c tiv e T h e for m e r h as no e x a c t pa r a ll e l i n
.

I n M emor ia m but th e re is a n a ppro ac h to it ,

in LX I X p a rt s of X CV I I XXX st a nz a s 3 4 5
.
,
.
,
.
, , , ,

whi c h c ontr a st with 6 7 ,

.

2 . Cf . xx v I . 13 ( R o bin s o n ) .

4 .wildly : c f P r o l ogu e 4 1
‘ ’
.
,
.

7 8 , ri c hly s hrin e d : in th es e p o em s
.
‘
M e thin k s I h av e
’
.

built a ri c h s hrin e f or my f ri e nd but it w ill n ot l a s t ,

’

( a uth o rit at iv e c orr e c ti o n in G a tty p C f LXXV LXX V 1 ,

. . .
,
.
,

LXX V II f a il : d ie a w a y a s in 11 1 5 XXVIII 7 XLVI 4

.
‘ ’
,
.
,
.
,
.
,

Lx x x rv 3 6 . .

9 f . G . A . C . p ar e s
c om 2 H en ry I V , . I i . . 1 02

Sound s e v e r t r a s a s ull e n b ell

af e

R e me m b e r d ’
t olling a d ep a rting f ri e nd .
L VI I .
,
LV 1 11 . C o m m en t ary

14 gr ee ting
.
‘
Ave in t h e n ex t lin e m ea n s gr e e ting
s ’:
‘ ’ ‘ ’

or
‘
h a il .
’

C atullu s a t h is bro th er s gra ve Atqu e in pe r ,

’
,
‘

p e t uu m f r a t e r a ve ,
a tqu e v a l e ( c ,
1 0) o f whi c h lin e
’
.

T e nny so n writ e s ; n or c an an y m o d e rn e l e gy s o l on g a s
‘
,

m en r e t a in th e l e a s t h o p e in t h e af t e r li f e o f th o s e wh o m -

th e y l o v e d e qu al in p a th o s th e d e s o l a ti o n o f th at eve r las t
,

ing f ar e w e ll (M em oir I I ’
W ith t h e thri c e r e p ea t e d ,
.
-

A 7je c f A en VI 506 e t m a gn a m a n e s t e r v o c e v o c a vi
‘ ’
.
. .
,
.

‘
For e v e r m o r e in 1 6 d o e s n ot go with A di eu as G a tty
’ ‘
,
’

s upp os e s but with s a id T h e inv e rt e d c o mm as a n d th e ‘ ’

.
, ,

c o nt e x t f r o m 9 o nw a rd m ak e thi s c e rt a in C o n tr as t with , .

th e s e lin e s C XXII I 1 1 I 2 .
, .

LV I I I .

‘
No
will not l e a v e t h e gra v e with this
,
he
hop e l e ss fa r e w e ll whi c h only brings gri e f t o ,

oth e rs So me d ay h e will t a k e a nobl e r

.

l e ave f
d istre ss of th e s e c tion s pre c e din g LV I I
Th e .

w as c ontinu e d i n t h e d e e p s a dn e s s of th a t s ec tion .

O n t he c h a nge in t h e ton e of t h e poe m fro m this

point s e e pp 2 8 2 9 ,
.
,
.

1 th o s e s ad w ord s : th e gre eting s of th e e n d of LVI I

.
‘ ’ ‘ ’
.

3 . Cf . Th e Lov er ’
s Ta l e

W hil e h er wo rd s s yll abl e by s yll a bl e , ,

Li k e w a t e r dr o p by dr o p up o n m y e ar, ,

F e ll .

6, 7 . T h e f e ll o w m o urn e r s -
or by -
t nd e rs
s a of LVII . H al f
co n sc i ou s n s cious ’
o nly h al f -
co .

9 P o ss ibly as Robin so n s ugg e s t s h e thin k s h e r e

.
, , of

U rani a ( XXXVII I ) a s of M e lp o m e n e in LVII 2 .

,
. .

11 h e r e : by th e gr a v e
.
‘ ’
.
1 56 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

LI X .

T hi s
s e c tion w as a dd e d in t h e fo urth e dition ,

1 8 51 C f with it LXV I a n d c o ntra st 111

. . . .

H e a tt e m pt s a ga in t o e m bra c e So r r o w as ‘ ’

’
his n atur a l good ( R obin s on ) .

Cf R icha r d I I
. V i 9 3 a n d King joh n .
, . .
, ,

III iv 3 4 ( G A
. . a lso Sh e ll e y s M is er
.
y b e .
’

ginning :

C o me b e h appy s it n e a r me , , ,

Sh a d o w -v e s t e d M i s e ry ,
C oy , unwilling , s il ent brid e ;
an d th e Song to Sorrow i n En dy m ion ,
IV .

1, 5 .
‘
if th ou wilt
W ilt th o u ’
: .

6 7 be
,
.put ar e i m p e ra tives
‘
,
’ ‘
,
’
.
‘
H a rs h e r m oo d s ’
: re

pe at e d pro b a bly un c o n s c i o u s ly f r o m
, , XLVIII . 6 .

s e t th e e f orth : d ec k th ee o u t (unl es s m e t aph o r

‘ ’
13 . th e
is dr o pp e d ) .

SEC T I O NS LX LXV .
-
.

T his grou p of qui e t a n d b ea utiful po e m s r e c a lls

in so m e w ays t h e e a rli e r grou p X L X LV I I ; but .

-
.

th ere t h e m otiv e id ea was th at of future r e union ,

whil e h e r e t h e po e m“ s d e a l with t h e pr e s e nt W W -
I m
’
r e l a tion of _t he fri e nds a n d t h e po e t s d e sire th a t
his fri e nd T his d e sire
iS in t he
'"

a n d e n c our a g e d

firs t five s e c tions ; it c o me s to r e st for a ti me

in LXV Th e m e r e c onn e c tion of t h e po e m s
.

m ay b e Shown in t h e following su mm a ry H ow .

c an h e thin k of on e s o f ar b e low h im
Y e t l e t h im thin k of m e ; for in fe rior as I a m , ,
1 58 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

6 T h e m e t aph or
. ntinu e d
of C h ar th e fl o we r (4 ) is co .
‘

a c t er d :
’
mar k e d : s e e o n XLII I 1 1
’
T h e w o rd is n o t . .

un c o m mo n in Sh ak e s p ear e e g A s You Lz he I t 111 ii 6

’

,
. . . .
,

th e s e tre es s h all b e m y b ook s ,

An d i n th e ir b a r k s m y th o ught s I ll c h a ra c t e r ’
.

9 . d oubt f ul : s ee XLIV 1 4 H e r e th e re is t h e a dditi on a l

‘ ’
. .

i d ea of d ark n es s c o m ing f r om t h e prec e ding s t a nz a

,
.

1 0 Se e 1
. Wh e re th ou was t firs t emb o di e d an d th at
.
‘
,

in hu m an f o r m C f pp 51 1 3 1 .
’
. .
,
.

Sh a k es p e a r e : t h e great e s t of int e ll e c t s a n d t h e
‘ ’
12 .

d ev o t e d l ove r o f a f ri e nd .

LX I I .

See LXI ‘
Th o ” in e f f ec t ‘ ’
whi ch wa s u sed
1 . .
5 .
y et ,
f o ur lin e s ab ov e .

2 . bl e n c h : flin c h ; f a il : th e id ea is th a t of l os ing
‘ ’ ‘ ’

t h e p o w e r t o a dv a n c e as in XLVI 4 ,
. .

T h e n : fir s t e d : So ’
‘ ’ ‘
3 . . .

4 C f Fa u s t Z u eig
. . n ung ,

G l e i ch e in e r alt e n h alb ver klun gn e n Sa g e , ,

Ko mm t e r s t e Li eb und Fr e und s c h af t m it h e r au f ’
.

5 d ec lin e d c f H a ml et 1 v 5
‘ ’
. 0: .
,
. .

T o d ec lin e
U p o n a wr e t c h wh o s e n a tur a l gi f t s w e r e p oo r
T o th o s e o f m in e ,

an d L och s l ey H a ll ,
h aving k n o wn m e t o d ec lin e ,

On a r ang e o f l o w e r f e e ling s an d a n ar ro we r h e art th a n m in e .

LX I I I .

Io ff . T h e m e t a ph o r is
pl a n e t with a l a rg er th a t of a

o rbit th a n t h e e a rth s I t m ay but d oe s n o t n e c e s s a rily

’
.
, ,

i m ply th at th e s oul of t h e d e a d is r e e m bo di e d on s u ch -

a pl a n e t or ( XXX For ro und s ee o n XLV 9

‘ ’ ‘ ’
orb .
, .
xx i. .
-
v . C o mm e n t a r y

LX I V .

S aid
by an old fri e nd of T e nnyson s to h ave ’

b e e n c o mpos e d whil e t h e a uthor w as w a l k ing

down t he S tr a nd I n M emor ia m c ont a in s gre at e r
.

poe ms but non e p e rh a ps m ore e x quisit e ly

,

i magin e d an d writt e n For t h e stru c ture s e e

.
,

not e on X I V .

10 g olde n k ey s of St a t e o f fi c e Cf Sh e ll e y H el l as
.
‘ ’
. .
, ,
‘
Orb ea rs th e s wo rd o r gras p s th e k ey of go ld P erh a p s
,
.
’

T e nny s on h ad j u s t r ea d M a c a ul a y s vivi d d es c ripti on of

’

t h e D u k e of D e v on shir e ( Lo r d C h a m b e rl a i n ) t e a ring o f f
h is g old k e y o n r ec e iving an in s ulti n g me s s a g e f r o m t h e
King ( The E ar
. l of C h a tha m E d i n hu rgh R ev iew O ct
, , .
,

2 5f p ath e ti c e f f ec t is in c r ea s ed by t h e f ac t th a t in
. The
t h e t wo pr e c e ding s t an z as w e ar e n o t t o ld th a t h is old
f ri e nd doe s r e memb e r h im .

LXV .

P e rh aps t h e fi r s t s ec tion of I n M e mor ia m th a t

c an b e d e s c rib e d as c h e erful or h a ppy The .

b e a uty of this h a ppin e ss is t he m ore fe lt b e c a us e

t h e r e a d e r e x p e c ts t h e po e t s doubts of be ing
’

r e me mb e r e d to e n d in s ad n e ss T h e point of .
‘ ’

t h e s e c tion is fr e qu e ntly m iss e d I t is nowh e re .

s aid or i m pl i e d th a t t he two fr i e nds though ‘

,

s e p a r at e d p a rt a k e of t h e s a me h a llow e d r e m e m
,

bra n c e O n t h e c ontra ry t h e po e t d is missing

.
’

his troubl e d doubts a bout r ememhr a n ce fi nd s ,

c o m fort in t h e thoughts Lov e c a nn ot b e lost ‘ ’

, ,

an d S in c e t h e ej ect of our fri e ndship wor k s so

‘

strongly in m e it m ay wor k a lso i n h im , .

’
1 60 In M e m or ia m s s c n ox s

1 .
‘
Sw ee t so ul ’
: cf . LVI I . 11 .
‘
Do with me ’
: re me mbe r
me or f org e t m e .

4 Not e v e n a littl e gr a in sh al l b e s pilt Fo r gr a in u s e d

‘ ’
. .
,

o f h is l o v e f or h is f ri e nd , c f LXXXI . .

57
-
p a in f ul ph ases : th e p a in f ul doubt of b eing r e me m
.
‘ ’

b e re d M et aph o r f ro m butt e rfly an d c hry s ali s ( B eec hing )

.
’
.

a p a rt o f m in e : t h e id e a s ee m s t o b e Sin c e y our
‘ ’ ‘
11 .
,

influ e n c e on me re main s s o s tro ng p e rh ap s some influ e n c e ,

o f m in e o n y ou m ay r e ma in
’
.

LXV I .

A ddr e ss e d to
fri e nd who wond e rs a t t h e a

c h a ng e in h im H e is li k e a blind m a n who
.
,

is k indly a n d pl e a s e d with t r ifle s though h e ,

d we lls in a world of his own w h e re t he night

of vision a n d t h e d ay of thought n ev e r c h ange .

Th e s ec tion is h a ppily pl ac e d By r e calling .

LI X it m a r k s t h e c los e of t h e grou p whi c h b e ga n

.

with LX ; whil e t h e pi c ture of t h e blind m an

.

pr e p a r e s for t h e in n e r world of dr ea m s whi c h

is a bout to ope n .

SEC T I O NS LX V I I - LX X I . .

T h e s e five s e c tions do not d ea l with o n e subj ec t

or ph a s e of fe e ling bu t th ey a r e doubtl e ss pl ac e d ,

toge th e r b eca us e th e y r e fe r to night sl ee p or .

, ,

d r e a m s T h e y a re a ll d e s c riptiv e rath e r th a n
.

r e fl e c tiv e LXV I I an d LXX b e ing in th e ir v e ry

,
. .
,

di ff e re nt w ays a m ong t h e fin e st of t h e d e s c riptiv e

,

s e c tions of I n M emor ia m A ll or n e arly a ll .

s how t h e s oft e ning of sorrow an d t h e growing ,

1 62 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

13 . Forrly w ak ing o f gri ef c f V I I

th e ea . .

1 5 16 ,
my y o uth : s e e I ntr o du c ti o n p 1 6
.
‘ ’
Fo r th e , . .

id ea o f th e dre a me r s f eeling id e ally tra n s f e rr e d t o t h e

’ ‘ ’

p e rs o n dr e a me d of c f The Lov er s Ta l e en d o f p a r a
,
.
’
,

gr aph b e ginning Alw ay ‘

.
’

LX I X .

It is not li k e ly th a t t h e r e a d e r is e x p ec t e d
to int e rpre t t h e d e t a ils of t he dr e a m ; but t h e
m a in id ea e vid e ntl y is th a t t h e po e t s a c c e pt an c e
’

of sorrow whi c h S ee m s folly to t h e world is

, ,

a pprov e d by high e r k n o wl e dg e I f nowh e re e ls e .

,

y e t in t h e c rown of thorns its e lf t h e wint e r ,

whi c h h e thought e t e rn a l c h a ng e s to sprin g ( LI V .

I 6 ) a n d though h e c a n h a rdly und e rst a nd t h e

,

word s h e h e a rs ( for th e y a r e in t h e l a ngu age

of a noth e r world ) t h e voi ce is not t h e voi c e ,
‘

’
of gri e f .

For t h e c r own c f t h e m e t a phor i n C XV I I I 1 8,

. .

’
c ro w n d with a ttribut e s of w o e Li k e glori e s
‘
. .

I t do e s not s e e m li k e ly th a t t h e c rown of thorns

‘

is t h e h e rit a g e of proph e t a n d m a rtyr or th a t

‘
,
’

it is tr a nsfor m e d into a Vi c t o r s c r o wn ( C h a p ‘ ’ ’

man ) T h e r e is a r e fe r e n c e to his p o e m s on
.

his s orrow : c f X X I . .

For t h e short s e nt e n c e s c f not e on LV I I . .

8 .ivi c c rown a Sign o f h o n our

‘
c
’
.

1 4 No t s i m ply I f ound an a ng e l a s I w a nd e r e d in th e
‘ '

night n o r s u c h an a ng e l a s c o m e s t o u s in dr ea m s but
,
’ ‘
,
’

th e a ng e l s o f t h e night Of s o rr o w t h e divin e
‘ ’ ‘
on e of ,

T hing in th e gl o om ( T e nny s o n s w o rd s t o M r Kn o wl e s )
’ ’
. .

f or t h e m e s s a g e o f c o m f o rt h a rd t o und e r
‘
2 0 Cf
1
9 ,
. .
,
LXVI II LXXI .
- .
Qo m m e n t ar y
s a t nd ,
’
th e s ec o nd v o i c e with , n oti c e f a intly und e r s t oo d
it s ,
’

of Th e Tw o Voices , an d th e m y s t e ri o u s c l os e o f th e Vis ion

LX X .

1 f . B ro wn e Rel M ed 11 6 : W h o m w e truly l o v e
Cf .
,
. . .
‘

li k e o ur own s e lv e s w e f o rg e t th e ir l ook s n or c an o ur
, ,

m e m or y r e t a in t h e id e a of th e ir f a c e s ( G A ’
. .

2 Se e I ntr o du c ti o n p 7
.
,
. .

4 . h oll o w
‘
e m pty v o id o f s ub s t a n c e : c f III 1 1 1 2
’
, . .
, .

‘
M ask s : f a l se a pp e ara n c e s a s i n XVI II 1 0
’
Cf H er ,
. . .
‘

c o ll e g e an d h e r m a id e n s e m pty m a s k s P r in ces s I I I
’
, , ,
.

(ppm 160s wh i 0 s So ph
’
8 C f u hh ds 5 6606s éh déu
, ,
o 67 ra /7 :
t/ 1 , .

( see M r s Sh ell ey s n ot e t o P r ometheus Un houn d )

’
. .

13 b eyond th e will
.
‘
s ee 2 As th e s triving c eas e s an d
’
.

s l e e p c o m e s o n th e r e a pp ea r fir s t t h e
,
m ask s th e n wh e n ’
,

Sl e e p is c o m pl e t e t h e i ma g e h e c ould n o t pi c ture C f I V 2
,
. . . .

LXX L

2 .
‘
madn es s s ugge s t e d by th e
‘
ma sk s ’
of LXX .

4 . See t h e lin esf In y ea r

th e Va l l ey o Ca u ter etz . The
was 1 8 3 0 I n th e s u m m e r m y f a th e r j o in e d Arthur H all a m
.
,

a n d b o th s t a rt e d o f f f o r t h e P yr e n e es with m o n e y f o r t h e ,

in s urg e nt alli e s o f T o rrij o s H e it w as wh o h a d .

r ai se d t h e s t a nd ard of r e v o lt a ga in s t th e I nqui s iti on an d

t h e tyr a nny o f F e rdin a nd King o f Sp a in ( M em oir
’
I , ,
.

Cf l 1 1
. . .

5 s u c h c r e dit s u c h a c c e pt an c e a s t o pr o du c e a n illu s i o n
’
.

so s tr o ng .

6 Fir s t e d :
. So bring a n o pi a t e tr ebl e s tr o ng
.
‘
-
.
’

7 Ev e n thi s dr e a m h a d b e e n tr o ubl e d li k e th a t of LXVI II

. .

’
For s e n se o f wr o ng c f th e l a s t thr e e s t an z a s of th e n ex t
‘ ’
.

s ec ti o n a n d LXXXI I I 4
,
. .
1 64 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

8 Fir s t e d : T h a t thu s m y pl e a sur e m ight b e wh ol e

. .
‘
.
’

1 5 I s upp o s e a s th e y l oo k up t h e t o rr e nt t o wa rd s t h e
.
,

bridge t h e f all unde r t h e bridg e a pp ea r s t o fl a s h f r om t h e

,

dark e r a rc h it se l f So m e c o n s tru e th e c a t a r a c t fl as hing a s

.
‘

w e w a t c h it f r om t h e bridg e But c f Ay l m er s Field (o f .

’
.
’

t h e n oy a a es ) : n a k e d m arri ag e s Fl as h f ro m t h e bridg e
’ ‘
.
’

L XX I I .

Th e
’
first
n niv e r s ary o f his fri e nd s d ea th ,
a

( S e pt .C o ntr a s t X C I X T h e e f f e c t of thi s .

s pl e ndid if s o m e wh a t rh e tori c a l outbu r s t o f wr a th

, , ,

in whi c h t h e d ay is pursu e d with inv e c tiv e through

it s m on strou s l ife of c ri m in a l vi o l e n c e to its d ull
a n d sh a m e ful c los e is e nh a n c e d by c o ntr a s t with ,

t h e c a l m of t h e fo u r t e e n pr e c e ding s e c ti o n s The .

third s t a nz a s e e ms h a rdly in k e e ping with t h e

ton e of t h e po e m .

3 .
‘
whit e : by t uin in g up th e und e r s id e
’
-
of th e l e av e s .

So of t h e will o w a n d t h e o liv e in Th e L a dy of S h a l ott ( st . 2 )

an d Th e P a l a ce o f Art ( st . C f H a m l et ,
. IV vii
. . 1 68 .

5 .
‘
D ay ’
: w o rd is r e p e a t e d through out
th e th e p oe m
a l m os t as if it w e r e a t e r m o f r epr o a c h .

cf . XXI I . 6 .

I6 .
‘
Al ong t h e firs t e d hill s
Fr o m hill t o hill ’
. .
’

n d y e t w o uld s t h a v e l o ok e d
‘ ’ ’ ’
y e t l ook d a .

I 9 2 0 Fo r th e m o m e nt h e figur e s th e w o rld a s rul e d b y

,
.

a blind o r m ali c i o u s F a t e C f p e rh a p s 6 C o ntra s t LXXXV . . . .

2 0 C XXIV 2 3 2 4
, .
, .

27 A llud e s t o th e h o ur o f n oo n wh e n t h e s u n r e a c h e s it s
.
‘

high es t p o int ( C E B e nh am ) W ith Ga tty I s h o uld t ak e

’
. . .
,

t h e lin e with 2 8 as r e f e rring t o s un s e t .

28 C f Sh ak e s p e a r e So nn e t 3 3
. . St ea ling un s e e n t o w es t
, ,

with thi s di s grac e .

’
1 66 In M e m o r iam SE C TIONS

1 5, I 6 . Cf . Ode on the D ea th of the D u he f

o Wel l i ngton
G o n e ; but n o thing c an b er e ave h im
O f th e f o r ce h e m a d e h is o wn

B e ing h e r e .

[M r Ev e thin k s th e r e is a n a llu s i o n to t h e id e a of
.

p o t e nti al e n e rgy If thi s w e r e s o it wo uld give a l at e d a t e

.
,

t o t h e s e c ti o n ] .

LXX I V .

H e r e a lis e s m or e an d m or e t h e
’
tre ngth a n d ‘
s
’
‘
for c e ( LXX I I I 4 1 6 ) whi c h would h a ve won for .
,

his fri e nd a fa m e on e a rth li k e th a t of its gre a t

men of old B ut he will not sp e a k of th a t whi c h
.

w a s n e v e r fully shown h e r e a n d now bright e ns ,

a noth e r world .

T his s e e m s to b e t h e id e a e x pre ss e d i n t h e l a st
st a nz a a n d s e rving to c onn e c t t h e s e c tion with
,

LXX I I I a n d LXXV ( s e e LXXV 1 3

. . .

1 4 G a tty qu ot es Bro wn e Letter to a Fr ien d o f s om e o n e

-
.
, ,

r e c e ntly d ea d [it is r e a lly o f s o m e o n e n ea r d e a th ] h e l o s t ‘

f ace a n d l ook e d li k e h is un c l e
’
h is o wn .

7, 8 . Cf . LXI . B el o w s ure ly m ea n s a m o ng th e d ea d n ot
’ ‘
,
’

n o w on ea rth .
’

9 R ef e rs t o 6
. . Ev e n y et h e ca nn o t r eali s e a l l th e li k e n e s s
an d gr ea tn e s s .

1 1, 1 2 . . lil oquy in R om eo a n d ju l iet V iii

C f t h e f am o u s so ,
. .

74 ff . C ollin s c om p ar es P e trarc h So nn e t 80 , ,

Non pub f ar M o rt e il d ol c e vi s o a m a ro ,

M a 1 d o l c e vi s o d ol c e pub f ar M o rt e
’
.

LX XV .

2 in a p oem whi c h is writt e n o nly t o r e li e ve m y s o rr o w

.
‘
‘
,
’

ra th e r th an th ough t o s ing thy pra i s e w ould bring m e

‘

r eli ef C f LXXVII s t anz a 4

.
’
. . .
LXXIII LXXVI .
-
. C o m m en t a r y 1 67

9 . th es e f ading da ys : thi s tr a n s it o ry e l e m ent of ti m e : h e

’

d oe s n ot r ef e r t o h is o w n ti m e in p a rti c ul a r F a ding m ay .
’

b e s ugg es t e d by th e dying a n d f a ding o f LXXII I 1 3 I 4

’ ‘ ’
.
, .

11 . br ee z e o f s o ng : c f op s {5 v
‘ ’
P ind a r Py th 4 3
. o o 11
, , , .
,

( C ollin s ) an d A en VI I 646 Ad n os vix t e nui s f a m ae

. .
,

p e r l ab it ur a ur a .

12 .G a tty qu ot es f rom th e Vis ion of Si n

Al l t h e w indy w ay s of m en
Ar e but du s t th a t ri s e s up ,

A n d is lightly l a id a g a in .

W ith whi c h c f Yo ung IVzgh t th ough ts I I

.
,
-
,

Sin c e by li f e s p as s ing br ea th bl o wn up f r o m Ea rth

’
, ,

Light as t h e s u m m e r s du s t w e t a k e in a ir ’
,

A m o m e nt s giddy flight a n d f a ll a g a in
’
,
.

c r e dit s p e rh ap s s i m ply b e li e v e s but pr ob ably ‘ ’

I 5 .

ra th e r pl a c es t o th e c r e dit of ( th e wh e n c e c omes th e
f urth e r id e a o f h o lding in h o n our C f LXXX 1 3 . . . .

th e tu m ult o f th e ir a c c l a i m
’
2 0 Cf Th e Dy ing S w a n
‘
. . .
,

LXXV I .

T his s e c tion d e v e lop s t h e id ea e x pre ss e d in

LXXV st a nz a 3
.
, H e r e a lis e s t h e br e vity of an y
.

fa me whi c h his v e rs e s c ould giv e to his fri e nd .

C onsid e r th e utt e r in s ign ific a n ce of t h e e a rth an d

m a n s life i n t he u nive rs e of worlds c on sid e r t h e
’

i mm e a sur a bl e a g e s of t h e futur e ; a n d th e n r e fl e c t
th a t thy d e e p e st l ays will b e forgott e n i n m u c h
’
l e ss th a n t h e life ti me of a tr e e o n th a t e a rth
-
.

I n t h e Epil ogu e to Th e Ch a rge of th e H ea vy

B r iga de t h e thought of this s ec tion is r e p e a t e d
a n d m or e c l e a rly e x pr e ss e d

Th e fir e s th a t a r c h thi s du s k y dot
Yo n myri a d -w o rld e d w a y
1 68 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

Th e v as t s un c l us t e r d gat h er d bl az e
-
’ ’
,

W o rld i s l e s in l o n ely s k i e s
-
,

W h ol e h ea v e n s within th e m s e lv es a maz e ,

O ur bri e f hu m aniti es ;
An d s o d oe s Ea rth ; f or H om e r s f a m e ’
,

T h o c a rv e d in h a rd e r s t o n e
’

T h e f a lling dr o p will m a k e h is n a me
A s m ort a l as m y o wn .

The oth e r sid e is giv e n in P a r n a s s us

If t h e lip s w e r e t o uc h d
’
with fi r e f r om o ff a pure P i e ri a n
a lt a r ,

T h o th e ir m u s i c h e r e b e m o rt a l n e e d th e s ing e r gr eatly
’

c are ?

O th e r s ong s f or o th e r w o rld s " t h e fi r e within h im w o uld

n o t f a lt e r ;

Le t th e g o ld e n I li a d v a ni s h H om e r h e r e is H om e r th e r e ,
.

C ollin so m p a r e s with t h e s e c ti o n D a nte P u rg

c ,
.

X I 9 1 1 I 7 whi c h h e thin k s pl a inly sugg e st e d it

.
-
, , ,

as w e ll a s LXX I I I st a nz a C f a lso LXXV .

,
. .

1 1 1 3 with lin e s 9 2 a n d 1 00 1 0 1 O f t h e p as s a g
- e , ,

i n D a nt e .

1 C f A don a is XLVII
. . Fo r th e phr a s e C o llin s comp a r e s
,
.

P e tra r c h , I n M or t e, So nn e t 8 2 ,
‘
V ol o c on 1 ’
a li de
’
p e n s i e ri
i l
al c e o .
’

3, 4 .
‘
Wh e re ’
: at a h e ight f r om whi ch Gat ty c o m p a r e s .

Cy m hel in e, iii 1 8 1 . .
,
T ill t h e di m inuti o n O f s p ac e h a d
‘

p o int e d h im s h a rp a s my n e e dl e .
’

s e c ul a r c f XLI 2 3
‘ ’
6 . . . .

9 . m a tin
‘
s o ng s t h-e writing s of t h e gr e a t ea rly
,
’

Po e t s ( a uth o ri s e d int e rpr e t a ti o n in Ga tty ) .

I I Cf
. But So ng will v a ni s h in t h e V a s t Epil ogue t o
.
‘
,
’

The Ch a rge the I l B i a de

f y g
f
o ea o
r .

13 .
‘
th e se ’
: y e w a n d o ak .
1 70 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

c h a ng e : t h e Sil e n c e a n d c l e arn e ss of windl e ss

frost inst e a d of t h e r a in wind a n d c loud : a c a l m
'
, ,

a n d qu ie t s e n s e of loss with no outwa rd Sign ,

of gri e f a n d no pr e t e n ce of gl a dn e ss no a wfu l ,
‘

s e ns e of o n e m ut e Sh a dow a n d no e c sta sy of ’

proph e c y I t m ight a l m ost s ee m th a t re gr e t is

.

d e a d but in truth it is d iffus e d through t h e whol e

,

subst a n c e of life .

5.
‘
Y ul e -
l g
c o
’
di al e c t w o rd u s e d in
is a -

Sc o tl a nd , s om e of th e n orth e rn c ounti es of Engl and an d ,

n o rth Lin c ol n sh I r e (D ia l ect D iction a ry ) .

I 1 . T a bl e au x viva nt s .

12 .
‘
h oo d m a n blind -
’
: b l in dm a n ’
s bu f f . Cf . H a ml et, I II .

iv .
77 .

14 .
‘
m a rk ’
: fir s t ed . :
‘
typ e .
’

1 8, 19 C X V 1 8 an d c o ntra s t
. N o
’
Cf . .
, Epil o gu e, 17

m y s ti c f ra m e d ee p r e p ea t e d f ro m XXXVI
,
’
. 2 ;
‘
r e l ati o n s
with ev erything e l s e in th e m y s ti c f ra m e .

SEC T I O NS LX X I X - LX X X I X .

M a ny of th e s e e l e ve n s ec tions are o c c a si o n a l
po e m s h a ving littl e c onn e c tion with o n e a noth e r
,

b e y o nd a c e rt a in unity of ton e T h e c a l m n e ss .
“ ’

whi c h is t h e not e of LXXV I I I is m a int a in e d . .

T he re is m u c h o f qui e t r e tro s p e c tion an d i n so me , ,

po e ms of thought s of wh a t m ight h a ve b ee n : i n
,

thr ee s e c tions ( LXXX I I I LXXXV I LXXXV I I I ) the r e .

,
.
,
.

is t h e s e n s e of n e w life an d joy an d t he l a st poe m ,

is quit e h a ppy T he id e a o f i m m o rt a lity a n d t h e

.

hop e of r e union a pp e a r but r a r e ly t h e c e ntr e of ,

LXXVII I LXXX .
-
. C o m m en t a r y

int e r e st b e ing Shi ft e d to the pr e s e nt life of the

po e t e nri c h e d by lov e for th e d ea d .

LXX I X .

’
s e c tion a ddr e ss e d to o n e o f t h e po e t s
T hi s ,

broth e rs r e fe rs b ac k to t h e l a s t lin e of I X
,
.

4 . p os s e s s i o n ; c f M ilt on So nn e t VII 7 a n d
‘
f ee ’
: f ull .
,
.
,

Wo rd s w orth s Sonn e t On the Ex tin ction of th e Ven etia n R e

’

pu bl ic O n c e did s h e h old th e g org e o u s Eas t in f e e

‘ ’
.
,

7f . Cf 0 , . C1 .

9 . Cf . C r abb e ,
D el ay h a s D a n ger ( Ta l es , x iii )
.

An d th e co ld s tre am c u r l d o nw ard a s ’
th e gal e
Fro m th e pin e hill bl e w h a r s hly down
-
th e d al e .

18 . Cf C X 1 7 . . .

LXXX .

H e r e a s in LXXX I a n d LXXX I V t h e po e t is
,
.

fa n c yin g wh a t m ight h a v e b e e n i f h is fri e nd h a d

not di e d I f h e h a d l iv e d a n d I h a d d i e d h e
‘
,

would h av e tu rn e d his gri e f into ga in Le t his .

fa n c i e d e x a m pl e th e n bring h e l p a n d c o m fort to , ,

me .

2 , h oly k indly C o ntra s t h is f e eling t owa rd s th e

3 .
‘
,
’ ‘
.
’

d ea th th a t t ook h is f ri e nd LXXI I s t 5 .
,
. .

th e id ea is th a t th e gri e f is n o t a ll o w e d t o
‘
8 St a y d
.
’ ’

s e p a r a t e it s e l f f rom p e a c e with God a n d man but is ‘ ’

,
‘
pr opp e d an d s o h eld f as t in thi s p ea c e For th e w o rd
’
.

cf . P r in cess VI L s t a y s al l t h e f a ir y o ung pl a n e t in h er
, ,
‘

h a nd s .
’

13 H is c r e dit : t h a t with whi c h I c r e dit h im ( in th e

.
‘ ’

‘
f a n c y of 5 ’
C f LXXI 5 LXXV 1 5 Fr e e : s ugg e s t e d by . .
,
. .
‘ ’

‘
burth e n h elp m e t o turn my burth e n int o ga in
’ ‘
.
’
172 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION

LXXX I .

‘
live d m y lov e f o r h im would h a v e
If h e h a d ,

c onti nu e d to gr o w Y e s ; but t h e s a m e gro wth

.

w as brought sudd e nly by h is d e a th

’
.

Th e po e m a pp e a rs a t firs t unint e lligibl e ,

‘
C o uld I h a v e s a id b e ing n a turally rea d a s ’

m e a ning If I c ould h a v e s a id a n d Lov e th e n

‘ ’

, , ,

h a d h o p e as m e a ning Lov e th e n would h a v e

’ ‘
, ,
’
h a d hop e T h e r e sult is non s e n s e
. .

C ould I h av e s a id is a qu e s tion A c c ordin gly .

a not e of int e rrog a tion m ust b e suppli e d a t t h e

e n d of t h e first st a nz a whi ch Should b e print e d ,

thu s
C o uld I h av e s a id whil e h e w a s h e r e ,

My l o v e s h a ll n ow n o f urth e r r a ng e ;
T h e r e c a nn o t c om e a m e ll o w e r c h a ng e ,

Fo r n o w is l o v e m a tur e in e a r
”
?

Lin e 5 m e an s [N o I c ould not h a ve

: s a id
‘
,

thi s ; a n d ] Lov e th e r e for e h a d hop e of ri c h e r

, ,
’ ’
s tor e . But thi s h e go e s on to s ay is a p a inful
, ,

thought for it sugge s ts th a t I h av e lo s t t h e

,

i n c r e a s e of lov e whi c h w ould h a v e c o m e if h e h a d

St a n z a 3 a llud e s to t h e fa c t th a t
’
liv e d l o ng e r .

u nd e r c e rt a in c onditi o n s a s udd e n fro s t wil l rip e n

gr a in . Th e gr a in of c our s e is h is l o v e C f
‘
,
’
,
. .

LX V 4 . .

Th e fa c t th a t thi s i nt e rpre t ati o n of t he s e c ti o n

involv e s a c h a ng e of pun c tu a tion n e e d n o t w e igh
a g a in s t it ; for th e r e a r e fr e qu e nt in s t a n c e s i n
I n M em or ia m a n d in T e n nys o n s oth e r wor k s
’

, ,

of d e fe c tiv e pu n c tu a tion a n d in p a rti c ul a r of a , , ,

 1 74 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

h a v e b ee n a bl e to a nti c ip a t e a m or e v a lu a bl e store
of lov e on his d e ath th a n t h e store I c ould h av e
, ,

ho pe d for on his dying whil e m y lov e w as stil l u n

’ ’
rip e T h e full stop a ft e r e a r i n lin e 4 should
.
‘

th e n b e c h ang e d into a c o mm a .

I o w e this id ea to s o m e r e m a r k s by M r F e rr a ll . .

I t a void s t h e viol e n c e to l a ngu a g e i nvolv e d i n m y

i nt e rpre t a tion of lin e 5 I m ay m e ntion th a t .

T e nnyson l a t e i n life e ndors e d th a t int e rpr e t ati o n

, , ,

an d thi s of c ou rs e is a s trong a rgu m e nt in its

fa vo ur ; but I d o not c onsid e r it d e c isiv e ]

LXXX I I .

following su mm a ry is int e nd e d m e re ly to
Th e
Show t h e c onn e c tion with LXXX I D ea th h a s not .

i nju re d m y l o v e whi c h is m y b e st life ,

nor d o I b e li e v e h e h a s injur e d my fri e nd s life ’

.

’
W h at h e h as d o n e is to put ou r liv e s a p a rt .

5 6 Cf XXX 2 5 f LXI I From s t at e t o s t a t e r e c ur s ’

. .
,
. . .
, .

in Th e Tw o Voices in D em eter a n d P er s eph on e lin e 7

an d ,
.

7 .
‘
th e s e t h e c h a ng e d f o r m an d f ac e of lin e 2 ‘ ’
.

D id T e nny s o n k n o w th a t h e w a s tr a n s l ating Ari s t otl e s

’
10 .

xpij
ots T i) : dper fis
‘

1 1, 1 2 . Cf . LXXI I I . 1 4,
-
LXXV . 1 8 -2 0 .

14 ga rn e r s s t o r e s it s e l f C f Oth el l o I V 11 57
.
’
. .
,
. .

But th e r e wh e r e I h a v e gar n e r d up m y h e a rt ’
.

T e nny so n s u s e o f t h e v e rb a s intr a n s itiv e s e e m s p ec uli a r

’

t o h im .

1 5, 1 6 . Cf . LXXXV . h e a rd n o
8 3 , 84 . Ev e n thi s c om pl aint is
l o ng e r t o wa rd s th e C l o s e of I n M em or ia m Fo r th e l ong .

s urviv a l o f wra th ( whi c h s e e m s so m e wh a t p ec uli a r) c f

‘ ’
.

LXXII an d X C V III . .
LXXXI LXXXI II .
- . C o m m en t a r y

LXXX I I I .

Th e po e t c a lls on t h e n e w y ea r to h a st e n its
c o m ing to bring t h e joy a n d b ea u ty of s pring a n d
,

su mme r a n d to m e lt his froz e n sorrow into

,

song .T h e s e c tion is in e ff e c t a spring po e m , , ,

a n d should b e c ontr a st e d with XXXV I I I a n d c o m .

p a r e d with C X V C XV I I f h e w e re thin k ing of

.
,
.

Ne w Y e a r s D ay th e re woul d b e no me a n ing i n
’

’
t h e r e fe r e n c e to th e north e rn s hor e r ea c h e d by ‘

spring l a t e r th a n south e rn Shor e s C f C XV I 3 . . .

,

wh e r e t h e y e a r b e gins in A pril an d t h e first

‘ ’

v e rsion of Th e M ill er s D a ugh ter ’

I h ea rd
T h e low v o i c e of t h e gl a d Ne w Ye a r
C a ll to t h e f r e s hly fl o we r d hill
’
.

f r o m th e l ud n n r o m bringing t h e
’ ‘
.
5
‘
e d o o s : n ot
c o f
C l o ud e d n o o n s o f April but f ro m th e n oo n s whi c h ar e’ ‘
, , ,

th e r e f or e s till c l oud e d .
’

.6 pr op e r : o wn C f XXVI I 6 C XVI I 2
‘ ’
. . .
,
. .

1 0 T h e g e r m a nd e r Sp e e dw e ll
. .

I I, 12 fi e ry fi r e Th e r e p e titi o n is o f c o ur s e i mt e n
.
‘
,
’ ‘
.
’
, ,

t io n a l P e rh a p s t h e f a m o u s phr a s e in 1 2 s u ff e r s f r o m it
. .

T h e c o l our is m or e truly d es c rib e d in th e p oe m To M a ry

g o ld f ro m e ac h l aburnu m c h ain
An d a ll t h e

D r o p t o t h e gr a s s .

G old e n ch a in is a di al e c t n am e f or t h e l aburnu m bl o s s om
-
’ - -

in th e M idl a nd s an d South of Engl a nd ) M r s H e m a n s writ e s . .

of th e l aburnu m s dr o pping g o ld ’

15 . Cf . CXV . 1 7 -2 0.
1 76 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

L XXX I V .

T his s e c tion whi c h d e a l s a g ain with wh a t m ight

,

h a v e b e e n is p e rh a p s s e p a r a t e d fro m LXXX a n d
, .

LXXX I b e c a us e it b r ing s no thought of c onsol a

.

tion .I n Spit e of so m e fi n e ph r a s e s it is s c a r c e ly
’
in T e nnys o n s h a ppi e s t s tyl e a n d it is un fortun a t e ,

th a t t h e fin e st lin e s ( 1 9 2 0) r e c a ll La m b s e x quisit e ,
’

D r e a m C hildre n Fo r t h e bi o gra phi c a l r e f e r e n c e s

’
.

s e e I ntr o du c tion p 2 ,
. .

1 .c o nt e m pl a t e f or th e ac c e ntu a ti o n c f C XVII I I
’
. . .

cf LX X 11 5
5 . . . .

15 . GAC .qu o t e s T a yl or H oly Dy ing 1 1

. . an d , , .
‘

c h a ng es h is l aur e l int o c ypr e s s h is triu m ph a l c h a ri o t t o ,

a n h ea r s e a n d R omeo a n d ju l iet
,
’
IV v 8 9 : O ur brid a l ,
. .
‘

flo w e r s s e rv e f o r a buri e d c or s e .
’

41 Arriv e is u s e d a s s o m e ti m e s by Sh ak es p e a r e a n d
.
‘ ’

M ilt o n .

4 6 b.a ck
‘
w a rd r e tr o s p e c tiv e li k e Sh ak e s p ea r e s r ec o rd
’
,
’ ‘

with a b ac k war d l ook ( So nn e t '

’

LXXXV .

Th e po e m is a ddre s s e d to E d m u nd Lu s hington ,

whos e m a rri ag e with t h e po e t s si s t e r C e c ili a is

’

, ,

c e l e br a t e d in t h e E pil o gu e ( c f it s fi r s t lin e with .

LXXXV . Fo r t h e d at e of c o m po s ition s ee ,

I ntrodu c tion p 1 4 Se e a lso p 2 8

,
. . . .

O p e ning with a r e p e tition whi c h giv e s t h e k ey ,

not e o f t h e word s whi c h C los e d XXV I I t h e p o e m

,
.
,

pr o c e e d s to a n s we r t h e t wo qu e stions o f s t a nz a 3 ,

a n d s o l o o k s b o th b a c k w a rd a n d forw a r d gl a n c ing ,

at t h e m o o d s a n d s ubj e c t s o f m a ny p r ec e ding
s e c tions a n d Sh o wing t h e st age a t whi c h t h e poe t
,
1 78 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

43 . Cf . v . 10
.

4 9 Th e
. n se goes on f r om lin e 4 4
se .

54 s piritu al s tri f e e g a s t o i mm o rt a lity o r t h e me aning

‘ ’
. . .

of e vil in t h e w o rld M e tri c ally thi s w o rd is u s e d in three

.

di f f e re nt wa y s in I n M emor ia m : ( I ) a s h e r e ( 2 ) as in X C II , .

1 4 ( 3 ) a s in C XXXI 3
,
. .

60 T e nny s o n s ee ms (M emoir I 3 2 1 ) t o h a ve qu o t e d th e
.
,
.

wo rd s in a wa y th a t w o uld id e nti f y th e s e m ighty h o p es with

Ia rger h o p e o f LV 2 0 ’
But h e m ay n o t h av e h ad th e
‘
th e . .

wh ol e p as s a g e in m ind an d c on s id e ring th e c o nt ex t it se em s , ,

m o r e n atur a l t o in c lud e a t an y r a t e in th e m igh ty h o p e s , ,

‘ ’

h op es f or th e f utur e of th e rac e on e arth ( c f LXXI 9 . .

63 C f Aug Con IV 6 I f e lt th a t m y s oul an d h is s oul

‘
. . . . .

we r e o n e s oul in t wo b odi e s an d th e re f ore was my li f e a ,

h orr or t o me b e c au se I w ould n ot liv e h a lv e d

,
’

h ad : w ould h a v e
’
‘
64 . .

67 . a l l a s s u m ing
‘ -
th a t t ak e to th e ms elve s d e vour e v e ry
’
, ,

thing Sh ak es p e a re s C or m o ra nt d ev ouring T i me ’
.
’

s t ea m i n g : c f P a r Los t V 1 8 5
‘ ’
69 . . .
,
.

Ye m is t s a n d e xh a l a ti o n s th a t n ow ri s e
From hill or s t eam ing l ak e .
’

Fl o o d s riv e r s : c f LXXXVI 7 C 111 2 0

,
’
. .
, . .

8 1 8 2 C f th e d o ubt s O f XXXVI II
,
. . XLII I f oll LXI f oll .
, . .
, . .

But h is r e s ign a ti o n in ign ora n c e a pp e ar s ag a in in 93 6 -

.

8 5 86
,
n a tur e e a rthly n a tur e f r ee c f XXXVIII 9
.
’
. .
,

10 . I t ak e t h e s t an z a t o m ea n D o t h e d ea d th e n f e e l p a in , , ,

( f o r s y m p a thy m u s t b e p a in ) ? O r is th e ir s y m p a thy p a in

l es s ? But it h as b e e n p oint e d out t o m e th at th e id ea o f th e

’

l as t t wo lin es n e e d n ot b e an alt e rn ativ e t o th a t of th e fir s t ,

t h e m ea ni n g o f t h e s t a nza b e ing : C a n t h e li f e of t h e d e ad
b e c l o ud e d by s y m p a thy d oubtl e s s p a inl e s s with t h e living
, ,

I n e ith e r c a s e th e s t a nz a t o u c h e s on a di f fi c ulty a s t o m e mo ry
in th e d ea d whi c h h as n ot pre vi o u s ly b ee n allud e d t o .

90 C f
. . LXIX . 20 .

91 .
‘
co n c lu s iv e ’
: th e bli s s of th e
‘
fin al g oa l ( LIV ’
. 2 ) or
LXXXV LXXXVI .
,
. C o m m en t a ry 1 79

‘
divin e ev e nt Th e d ead f ri e n d is s upp osed to s ee wh e re
.
’
,

th e p oe t c an o nly tru s t C f C XXVI I 2 0 . . . .

95. s y m b o l s th o ught s whi c h s

’
igni f y fig ur a tiv e ly a truth
whi c h th e y d o n ot a cc ura t e ly e x pr es s .

If with l ov e a s tru e if n ot s o f r e s h I e tc
’ ‘
1 01 .
,
If is , , , .
’

f o r c e d ungr a mm a ti c a lly t o d o doubl e duty [But thi s w o uld .

b e a s tr a ng e m i s t ak e an d M r F e rr all is pr o b ably right in ,

.

t ak ing t h e s e nt e n c e t o b e ind ep e nd e nt of th e pre c e ding

s t a nz a with l ove as tru e if n ot s o f r e sh ( a s m y fir s t l o v e f or ,

m y d ead f ri e nd) I a v e r e t c ] , ,
’
.

a p a rt in a pl ac e whi c h n o o th e r p ow e r s c an oc c upy
’ ‘ ’
1 05 . .

1 06 . g old en h ours c f XXXIX 6

‘ ’
. . .

Cf VI 4 3 4 4 an d d e e p a s fir s t l o v e i n Tea r s idl e
‘ ’
1 07 . . .
, , ,

1 12 . Cf . V 11 .
3, 4 .

1 13 . cf . IX . 18 .

1 19 . T h e Ev e ning P ri m r ose , rding t o m any r e a de r s ; ac co

but s ur e ly T e nny so n m e a nt t h e f e ebl e o r i m p e rf e c t fl owe r s

s o m eti m e s put f o rth by t h e c omm o n pri m r o se in a utu m n an d

e arly wint e r .

LXXXV I .

T his wond e rfu l po e m writte n in sprin g ( 6 1 0) , ,

at B a r mouth fa m e d for t h e sun s e ts ov e r its,

’

e stu a ry giv e s pre e min e ntly his s e ns e of t h e j oy

,
‘
-

ous p e a c e i n N a ture an d h e would quot e it i n this ,

c ont e x t a lon g with his Spring an d B ird songs ’

( M em oir I ,
I t is t.h e a nsw e r to t h e pr ay e r
o f LXXX I I I a n d c o me s m ost a ppropri a t e ly a t this
.
,

po int bre athing t h e full n e w life whi c h is b e

,
‘ ’

’
ginn ing to r e viv e in t h e po e t s h e a rt an d to disp e l ,

t h e l a st Sh a dow of t h e e vil d r e a m s whi c h N a ture

s e e m e d to l e n d ( LV ) wh en h e wa s u nd e r t h e sw a y .
1 80 In M e m o r iam SE CTIONS

of t h e ill br e thre n D oubt an d D e a th T he .

rhyth m of t h e o n e long s e nt e n c e t h e p aus e s of ,

whi c h a r e not a llow e d to c oin c id e with t h e bre ak s

b e twe e n t he st a nz a s s ee m s t h e v e ry e c ho of t he ,

spirit of t h e po e m Se e fu rth e r on thi s s ec tion .

, ,

t h e r e m a r k s on C XX I I ; an d C f with it a p a ss a ge . .

a t t h e b e ginning of Th e Lover s Ta l e I I I
’

A m orning w e et a f t e r r a in r an ov e r
a ir , s ,

Th e rippling l ev e l s o f th e l ak e an d bl e w ,

C ooln es s an d mo i s tur e an d all s m e ll s o f bud

An d f o li ag e f r o m th e d ark a n d dripping w o o d s
U p o n my f eve r d br ow s th a t s h ook an d t h r ob b d’ ’

Fr om t e m pl e unt o t empl e .

For the d a t e of c o m position s ee p . I 5 .

1 .
‘
br o s i a l
am
’
: a f a v o urit e
w ord with M ilt on an d T e nny
wh o u ses a m br o s i a l gl oo m in a v e ry e a rly f rag ment
‘ ’
s on ,

( M em oir, I . a n d a g a in in Th e P r in cess IV 6 ,
. .

3, 4 . Cf . C XXI I .
4 .
5

5 .r a pt th e wo rd d oes n o t i mply qui ck or vi ol ent m oti on

’

with T e nny son C f The D ay dr ea m . .

-

An d r a pt thr o m a ny a r os y c h a ng e
,
’
,

T h e twilight di e d int o th e d a rk .

6 .d e wy f r om th e s h o we r s C I C 11 1 2 an d The P r in ces s
’
. . .
, ,

I. I n t h e gr ee n gl e a m o f d e wy t a s s el l d tr ee s
‘ -
’
.
’

s h a d o wing c f C VII 1 4 an d Littl e br e e z es du s k a n d

’
7 . . .
,

s hiv e r La dy of S h a l ott
,
’
H orn e d fl oo d see on LXXXV .
’
.

69 . H o rn e d pr ob ably m e an s n o t b ra n c h ing but wind

’ ’

ing an d s o ind ent e d

,
’
C f Th e Dy ing S w a n
‘
An d t h e .
’
.
,
‘

wa v e wo rn h orn s o f th e ech oing b a n k C f h orn ed fl oo d

- .
’
.
‘ ’

in P a r Los t X 1 8 3 1 an d V irgil s C or n iger H es per idum

.
,
.
,
’ ‘

fl uvius r e gn a t or a qu a r u m ,
’
A en . VII I .
77 .

13 ff w e s t wind r olling t o
.
‘
The s e a s till it t h e Ea s t e rn

m ee t s t h e e v e n i ng s t a r T e nny s on s w ord s t o M r Kn o wl e s ’ ’
. .

I h ad a lwa y s t a k e n th e lin e s t o m e a n th a t f a n c y a c c om
 1 82 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

LXXXV I I I .

AS
’
i n t h e bird s s ong s o in his own j oy , ,

s ee m s to bre a k fro m t h e m id s t of gri e f .

Th e wild bird is g e n e r a lly an d n a tura lly t ak e n t o b e

‘ ’
I .

th e nighting al e wh os e s ong s ee ms t o s o m e m o s t
,
‘
m el an
c h o ly an d t o o th e r s j o y o u s a n d t o t h e p o e t b oth
’
, ,
. Cf . a

p a s sage n ear th e en d of th e Ga r den er s D a ugh ter an d ’

, ,
ea rli e r ,

R ecol l ection s o f th e A r ahia n Nigh ts

living airs of m iddl e night
Th e
D i e d r o und t h e bulbul a s h e s ung
No t h e but s ome thing whi c h pos se s s d ’

T h e d a rk n es s o f t h e w orld d e light , ,

Li f e a ngui sh d ea th i mm o rt al l o v e
, , , ,

C eas ing n ot m ingl e d un r epr ess d , ,

’
.

T e nny s o n e l se wh er e u s e s b o th wa rbl e a n d liquid o f th e ‘ ’ ‘ ’

nighting al e s s ong ’
.

2 . qui c k s th e qui ck s e t h edg e r ow : c f C X V 2 Th e

’ - -
. . .

wo rd is u s e d by c o untry f ol k in v ari ou s p art s o f Engl a nd .

3 f W h a t is th a t c entr e wh e r e t h e div e r s e p as s i o n s s o
”

m ingl e th a t wh e n th e y r a di a t e f ro m it e ac h h as a t o n e o f
, ,

t h e o th e r s ?

5 fi e r c e e x tr e m e s : o c c ur s in King joh n V vii 1 3

‘ ’
. . .
,

P a r Los t,
. VII . 2 72 .

6 . d ark e ning as night c o mes on : fir s t e d : du sk ing

‘
,
’
.
‘
,
’

o f t e n u se d by T e nny s o n of twilight T h e c h ang e was .

p e rh a p s m ad e b ec au s e o f du s k in LXXXIX 2 ‘ ’
. .

th e s um o f thing s : oc c ur s in P a r Los t VI 67 3
‘ ’
11 . .
, .

LXXX I X .

’
An ntir e ly h a ppy r e trosp e c t of his fri e nd s
e

visits to t he poe t s h o me For t h e biogra phi c a l ’

.

r e fe re n ce s s e e pp 2 3 I t wi ll b e found th a t ( if
.
,
.

we o m it t he long s ec tion LXXXV ) s e c tions of .

LX X X V I I I .
, L
XXX IX . C om m en t ar y 1 83

hop e an d of r e trosp e c t a re m a d e to a lt e rn a t e
i n this p art of t h e po e m : LXXX I I I LXXXV I .
,
.
,

LXXXV I I I with LXXX I V LXXXV I I .

,
LXXX I X .
,
.
,
.

1 .c o unt e r c h ang e c h e qu e r Cf LXXI I 1 5 an d Re ’

. . .
,

col l ect ion s o f th e A r a hia n Nigh ts

udd e n s pl e nd o ur f ro m b eh ind
A s

Flu s h e d a ll t h e l ea v e s with ri c h g old gre e n -

,

An d fl o wing r a pidly b e tw ee n
,

T h e ir int e r s p a c e s c o unt e r c h a ng e d ,

T h e l ev e l l a k e with di a m o nd pl o t s -

Of d ar k an d bright .

4
. Sy c a mo r e : c f X C V 55
‘ ’
. . .

7
. lib e ra l air : c f Byr o n M a n f r ed 1 1 pip es in th e
‘ ’
.
, ,
.
,
‘

lib eral a ir .
’

8 Cf
. H ora c e O d e s 111 xx i x 1 2 Fu mum et op es
.
, ,
. .
,
‘

s t r e pit u mqu e R om ae ( C ollin s )

’
.

12 . du s ty : firs t e d : du sk y
‘ ’
.
‘
.
’

16 . win k ing of c ours e r ef e r s to t h e tr emul ou s a pp ea r

‘ ’

a n c e o f t h e h ea t e d a ir .

2 7 G A C c om p a r e s H a ll a m s R ema in s p 7 1
’
. . .
,
. .

Som e ti m e s I dr e a m th ee l ea ning o e r
’

T h e h a rp I u se d t o l ov e s o w e ll .

3 6 Arthur H a ll a m w a s an e nthu s i a s ti c r ea d e r o f P l a t o
. .

4 5 gl oo m ing T e nny s o n is f ond of gl oo m an d it s

‘ ’ ‘ ’
.

c o ng e n e r s H e u s es gl oo m ing a s a s ub s t a ntiv e i n t h e ’
.

Ga r den er s D a ugh ter ( th e b al m y gl oom ing c r e s c e nt lit

’ ‘
cf -
’
.

‘
go rg eou s gl oom of e v e ning LXXXVI an d gl oom a s a ,
’
.
’

tr a n s itiv e v e rb in Th e Letter s an d e l s ewh er e C f Epil ogu e . .

,

1 18 . C f w i th th e wh ol e lin e H o r ac e O d e s 11 x i I 8
.
, ,
. .

4 7 4 8 T h e s e lin es whi c h s ur e ly m ar a b ea uti f ul p as s a g e

, .
, ,

mean B ef o r e Ve nu s s urro und e d by th e c ri m s o n of s un s e t

, ,

h a d s e t a f t e r th e s u n C f C XXI 1 2 Ac c o rding t o t h e
.
’
. .
,
.

n ebul a r th eory V e nu s li k e th e o th e r pl an e t s wa s f o rme d

, , ,

by th e c o nd e n s a ti o n o f a z on e thr o wn o ff f r om a m a s s of
n ebul a th e r e m a in s of whi ch c ond e n s ing t o ward s t h e c e ntr e
, , ,
1 84 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

f o r m e d th e s un . Th e s un , a s r e pr e s e nting th e wh ol e o rigin al
n ebul a ,
is figur e d as th e f a th e r o f V e nu s . Cf La dy P s y c h e
.

T hi s
w orld w a s o n ce a fluid h a z e of light ,

T ill t o w a rd t h e c e ntr e s e t t h e s t a rry tid es ,

An d e ddi e d int o s un s th a t wh e e ling c a s t ,

T h e pl a n e t s .

c ri m so n c ir c l e d : f o r c ri m so n
‘
C 111 55 ( o f
‘ ’ ’
-
cf . .

a n d p e rh a p s LXXXVI 1 3 . .

52 C f C I 8
. . . .

SEC T I O NS X C -X C V
. .

A group of c los e ly c onn ec t e d s e c tions on t he

pre s e nt c o m m union or c ont ac t of t h e living an d
t he d e a d I t Op e ns with t h e e x pr e s s ion of d esir e
.

for su c h c o m m union a n d c los e s with t h e desc r ip ,

tion of a n e x p e ri e n c e i n Whi c h this d e sire s ee m s 11

to b e fulfill e d .

So f ar t h e thought of su c h pre s e nt c o mm union

h as o c c upi e d t h e po e t but littl e H e trust s t o .

m ee t h is fri e nd b e yond t h e gr a v e ; h e h as hop e d

th a t his fri e nd w a t c h e s h im fro m a fa r ; h e h as
e v e n c ri e d to h im B e n ea r m e B ut h e h as
‘
.
’

a c c e pt e d t h e fac t of th e ir pr e s e nt s e p a ra tion a n d ,

t h e o n e d ee d for whi c h h e h as b e e n un abl e to

forgiv e D e a th is th a t
put our liv e s s o f ar a p art
He
W e c a nn o t h ea r e a c h o th e r s p ea k
No w with t h e d e sire for c o mm union c o me s
, ,

t h e thought th a t a ft e r a l l it m ay in so m e for m
b e possibl e e v e n in this li f e Th e c onn e c tion of .

t h e s ec tions is shown in t h e s u m ma ri e s whi c h

fo llow .
1 86 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

The phrase is f ully e x pl a in e d in th e f oll o wing p as s a g e As

” & c d e f e nd a nt s t a t e s th a t h e wa s w a l k ing
to s e a blu e bird s
-
.

o n e d a y in M a r c h by a d e e p b a n k e d br ook an d und e r t h e -
,

l e afl e s s bu s h es h e s aw t h e k ingfi s h e r flitting o r fl eeting

und e rn ea th h im an d th er e c a m e int o h is h ea d a f ra g m e nt o f
“
,

a n o ld G r eek lyri c p oe t [ Al k m an ] dh m bp¢ p s l po 6pm ” v o

’
e a s
, ,

- ”
T h e s e a purpl e o r s ea s hining bird o f Spring s p ok e n of a s -
,

t h e h al c y on D ef e nd a nt c a nn o t say wh e th e r t h e G r eek
.

h a l c y o n b e t h e s a m e a s th e Briti s h k ingfi s h e r but a s h e , ,

n e v e r s a w th e k ingfi s h e r on thi s p arti c ul a r bro ok b ef o re

M a r c h h e c o n c lud e s th a t in th a t c o untry a t l e a s t th e y go
, , ,
/

d o wn t o t h e s ea during th e h ard w ea th e r an d c ome up ag ain ,

with th e Spring f or wh at s ay s o l d B el on ,

Le M a rtin e t pes ch e ur f a it s a d em e ur e -

En t em p s d hiv e r a u b o rd d e l o c ea n ’ ’
,

Et en e s t é s ur l a rivi er e e n e s t an ,

Et d e p o i ss o n s e r epais t a t out e h e ur e .

Yo u s ee h e put s es té
” whi c h I s upp os e s t ands f or a ll th e
,

war m e r w ea th e r Le tt e r of T e nny s o n t o D uk e o f Argyll

.
’
,

1 864 M em oir I I 4
, T h e l e tt e r is p e rf ec tly d e c i s ive y e t by
,
. . _
,

1 8 90 th e s e d e t a il s h a d f a d e d f r o m T e nny s o n s m ind an d
’
, ,

th ough h e Supp os e d th e bird wa s th e k ingfi sh e r h e w as

‘ ’
,

willing t o b e li e v e it w as th e blu e tit ( s ee R awn s le y s M em or ies ’

of the Ten ny s ons p ,

.

6. in ti me in th e e a rthly li f e C f XXVI I 6
‘ ’
. . . .

16 . light in light C f a n oth er night in night R ecol l ec

‘
.
’
.
,
’

tion s o f t he A r a bia n Nigh ts .

XCI I .

No it is no vi s ibl e a pp e a r a n ce th a t I d e sire
: ,

nor an y c o m m uni c a tion through s e ns e I s hould .

R e fl ec tion d e stroys t h e wi s h
’
not b e c onvin c e d .

e x pr e ss e d in X C I For i f t h e vision c a me it .
, ,

might b e c ou nt e d a m e re h a llu c in a tion E ve n if .

 XC I .
,
x c 11 . C o m m en t a r y 1 87

it spo k e a n d spo k e of e v e nts in t h e liv e s of t h e

,

fri e nds on e a rth this m ight b e c ount e d t h e pro ,

du c t of his own m e m ory Nay i f it fore told .

,

so m e thing whi c h a c tu a lly h a pp e n e d a y e a r l a t e r ,

t h e proph e c y m ight s e e m to b e m e r e ly hi s own

pre s e nti m e nt C ontra st this s e c tion with X I V. .

3 . C f M a u d,
. 11 . iv . 8

Ge t th ee h e n c e n or c o me a g ain , ,

M ix n o t m e m o ry with d o ubt .

’
bl o t up o n th e brain
T is th e
T h a t w il l Sh o w it s e l f with o ut .

T h ey h av e n othing to r ef e r t o ex c e pt
s ee m s
‘ ’
13 . to
m o nth s But prob ably a s s e ve r a l c o rr e s p ond e nt s s ugges t
.
’
, , ,

t h e s e n s e is I t m ight n ot s ee m thy pr o ph e c y but T e nny s on ’

, , ,

writing pro ph ec i es put th e y by a k ind of a ttr ac ti o n f r o m

‘
,
’ ‘ ’

th at plural T h e lin e is thu s e quiv al ent to T h y pr oph ec i es

.
,
‘

m ight n ot s e em thy pr o ph ec i e s .
’

s piritu a l in m y o wn s pirit Or s u c h a s of t e n c o me
‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘
14 .
, ,

i nt o th e m ind ( F e rr all ) .

I 5 1 6 d o n o t giv e a n o th e r hyp o th e s i s but rep ea t 1 4 ( h e

, ,

s ay s An d n o t
‘
R ef r ac ti o n as in m ir a g e
,
’
G a tty ,
’
.

qu ot es f rom C o l eridg e s tr an s l ati o n of th e D ea th of Wa l l en ’

s tein V i
,
.

A s th e s un ,

Er e it
ri s en some ti mes p a int s its i mag e
is ,

I n th e a t mos ph e r e s o of t e n d o t h e s pirit s ,

Of gre a t e v e nt s s trid e o n b ef or e t h e e v e nt s ,

An d in t o d a y a lr e a dy w a l k s t o m o rr o w -
.

Th e nt ex t m akes it prob abl e th a t th er e is h er e a r emin is

co

c e n c e of thi s p a s s a g e C f C ol e ridg e s S ta tes ma n s M a n u a l

. .
’ ’
,

App e ndi x B an d Ta bl e Ta l h M ay 1 1 8 2 3
, , ,
1 88 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

XCI I I .

‘
B ut a d ire c t c ont a c t of soul an d s oul is
po s s ibl e . T h e r e for e c o m e
1 -
4 . Se e ph a ti c U nd e r s t a nd But b ef or e D a re
’
is em .
’
,
’

or th e n a f t e r D are I
‘ ’
T h e p o e t a bruptly an d fin a lly
‘
.
’

di s m i s s e s th e id ea th at th e d e a d will a pp e ar in vi s ibl e
f o rm but h e s it a t e s t o a s s e rt th a t n o s o ul e v e r r e turn e d t o
,

e a rth .

5 8 H e a f firm s th a t it is p o s s ibl e th a t t h e s o ul o f th e
-
.

d ea d n ot a vi s u al s h a d e b ut t h e s oul it s e l f m ay c om e t o
—

,
—

th e s o ul o f t h e living with o ut th e m e di a ti o n of an y s en se o r ,

on c o nditi o n th a t a l l t h e s e n ses a r e in a b e y a n c e in 7 ’
a ll

e x c lud e s m or e th a n t h e unl e s s th e lin e mean s

‘ ’
s ee o f 1 , ,
‘
Wh e n th e n er ve of s ight is wh olly nu m b wh en c f P a r ,
’
. .

Los t X 1 4 1 5 th e vi s u a l Su c h w ord s a s No I
‘ ‘ o

,
.
, ,

d a r e n ot sa y thi s R a th e r m u s t b e unde r s t o o d b ef ore th e

.
’

b eginning of lin e 5 C f th e o mi s s i on of No I c o uld n ot

. .
,

h ave s aid thi s in LXXXI 5 (on on e int e rpr e t ati o n )

’
. .

But th e p as s ag e f r o m d oubt or m u s ing D a r e I to

p o s itiv e a s se rti o n is h e r e s o abrupt th a t p e rh ap s s t anz a 2 wa s
r e a lly m eant t o b e a c ontinu a ti on of lin es 2 4 of s t a nz a 1 i e -
. .

t o b e a p a rt o f th a t whi c h th e p o e t d o ubt s wh e th e r h e d a r e
s ay d ar e I s ay n ot ind e e d th at th e vi s u a l s h a d e m ay c om e
‘
, ,

but th a t th e Spirit hi m s e l f m ay c om e ? I n th a t c as e lin e 4 ’

,

Sh ould e n d with a c o l o n o r s e m i c o l o n an d lin e 8 with a n o t e -

,

o f int e rr og a ti o n O n T e nny s o n s d ef ec tiv e u s e o f thi s n ot e

’
.
,

s ee r e m a r k s o n LXXXI I f thi s s ugg es ti on b e c o rr ec t t h e

.
,

s u mm a ry giv e n a t t h e h e a d o f t h e s ec ti o n will run : But ‘

is n ot a dir ec t c ont a c t of s oul an d s oul p os s ibl e ? If s o ,

c om e

A third int e rpr e t a ti o n h as b e e n s ugg e s t e d to m e a s c o n

c e ivab l e : I s h all n ot s ee th e e
‘
N o s pirit ( d are I s ay thi s ?).

e v e r c a m e b a c k t o t h e w o rld o f s e n s e n o n e e ve r a pp eare d a s
a sh a de but a s pirit m ay r e turn t o th e inn er world of a n oth e r
s pirit
’
.
 190 In M em o r ia m SE C TION

su m me r n ight r ds a g ain t he l e tt e rs of the ,

ea 0

d e a d an d sudd e nly his wish is in so me s e ns e

, , ,

ful fil l e d .

For t h e tr a n c e a n d T e nnyson s own e x pe r i‘

,
’ ’

e n c e s a n d Opinions s e e I ntrodu c tion pp 4 6 53 , , .

, ,

6 0 ; t h e p a s s a g e s quot e d in t h e not e on lin e

39 ; M emoir ,
I .
3 2 0, 3 2 1 , an d Mr . Kn o wl es s ’

rti c l e p 1 6 9 T e nnyson s
’
a , e x p e ri e n c e s e e m s to
. .

h av e r e s e m bl e d th a t of P loti nus ( s e e En n I V . .

viii I ) . .

O n this s ec tion Se e fu rth e r t h e not e s on C XX I I .

I . n e of LXXXIX an d th e r ef ore t h e h appy m e mo ri es

Th e s ce .
,

of t h e p a s t a r e r ec a ll e d by t h e o p e ning r e f e r e n ce t o t h e
,

l a wn an d th e l a t e r m enti on of t h e brook t h e s y c amore

, , ,

a n d th e e l m s .

9 f r a gr a nt : c f LXXXVI 1 4
.
‘ ’
. . .

10 lit : alight e d ; th e fil my s h ap es e t c : night m oth s

.
‘ ’ ‘
,
’
.
-

(auth o ri s e d int e rpr e t ati o n in G a tty wh o a dd s th a t th e ,

e r m in e m o th a n s w e r s t o t h e d e s c ripti o n ) .

22 th a t gl a d y ear a s th e m e t a ph or of th e n ex t lin e
.
‘
,
’

s h o w s is t h e wh o l e ti m e o f t h e f ri e nd s hip
,
.

Th e s tra ng e n e s s o f t h e d e a d m a n s s e e m ing to b e
’
2 5f .

th e n an d th e r e s p eak ing e x pr e s s e d in s il e nt s p e ak ing a n d ,

- ’

du mb c ry pr e p ar e s f or wh a t f o ll o w s
,
’
.

34 . t h e w o rd wa s u s e d I n X C II I 1 3 . .

T h e living s o ul An d m in e in thi s till ab out

‘ ’ ‘ ’
3 6 37 ,
.
, .

H is living s o ul An d m in e in h is ‘ ’ ‘
1 8 78 ,
On th e ,
’
.

living s oul T e nny s on r em ark e d t o M r Kn o wl es : per

’
.
‘

c h a n c e o f t h e D e ity M y c o n sc i e n c e wa s tr o ubl e d by
.

h is ”3 1
.

1Wha t wa s it t h at troubl ed h is c onsci ence ? A doub t wh eth er it

h a d really seemed t o him t h t H all am s s oul wa s fl ash ed on h is ?
’
a

Rath er I suppose a dou b t wh e th er th e so ul th a t s e em ed t o b e

, ,

flash ed on his an d seemed to b e H allam s w a s Hallam s I f so

,
’
,
’
.
,
xcv . C o m m en t a r y

living in antith es i s t o d ead i (

‘
,
’
F l ash d to d es c rib e t
’ ’
,

i n s t ant a n e ou s m oti on or ac ti on C f XLI 1 2 LXXVI 5 . . .

,
. .

39 th a t whi c h is : t h e ulti ma t e r e a lity a s di s tingui s h e d

.
"
,

f ro m th a t h a l f d e c e ptiv e a pp ea r a n c e whi c h w e c omm o nly

-

c all t h e r ea l w o rld Cf C XXIV 2 2 The H igh er P a n th eis m

. . .

t h e gr an d c o n c lu s i o n o f t h e H oly Gr a il wh e re vi s i on ‘
,

(app ea ra n c e ) is di s tingui s h e d f ro m r eality ; a n d e s p ec i ally

th e A n cien t Sage .

4 1 H e is abl e t o
. p e r c e iv e th e l aw an d h a r mony in wh a t at
th e r ti me s a pp ea r s unint e lligibl e c f C XXI I 8 Aeo ni a n ’
o . . .

cf . XXXV . 11 .

42 , 43 . M ilt on , On Tim e, T riu m phing ov e r D e a th an d

Cf .

C h an c e a n d th e e, 0 T i me
’
.

4 58 . M y d e s c ripti o n o f th a t whi c h I b e c a m e during th e

tr a n c e an d in it s c an c e lling is v a gu e ; but h ow can it b e
o th e rwi s e ? I t m ight s e e m a t fir s t m o r e n a tur a l t o t ak e
’

‘
th a t whi c h I b e c am e t o r ef e r t o th e ti m e af ter th e c an ’

c e lling o f th e tr a n c e I n th a t c a s e t h e m ea ning o f t h e .

s t a nz a will be : M y d e s c ripti o n of t h e tr a n c e a n d it s
c a n c e lling is v a gu e but t o d e s c rib e t h e s t a t e t h a t f o ll o w e d
,

w ould b e e ve n m o r e di ffi c ult Ac c o rdingly h e d oe s n ot .

a tt e m pt t o d e s c rib e it But is it li k ely th a t h is s t at e .

,

af t e r th e tr a n c e w a s c a n c e ll e d by d oubt wo uld b e e ve n ,

f ur th e r r e mo v e d f r om o rdin a ry e x p e ri e n c e t h a n h is s t a t e
during th e tr an c e ?
ma tt e r mo uld e d : th e f o r m s of s p e ec h b e ing m o uld e d
‘
-
’
,

by an d m ea nt t o e x pr e s s our s e n s ibl e ex p e ri e n c e a r e ,

in ad e qu at e t o d e sc rib e a high e r e xper I e n c e Su c h w o rd s .

,

f or ex am pl e a s D s ce n d an d t o u c h an d e nt e r ( X C I II I 3 )
’

g , , , .
,

his s crupl e seem s n eedl ess n ever said t ha t it w as H allam s , f or h e h ad ’

( see h e h ad s a id t h at h is tranc e was canc e ll ed by doub t ( 4 4 )

an d if h e re f erred t o it in C XX II
, h e h ad aga in sp o k en d oub t f ully o f .
,

Hallam s presence P rob ably at the m om ent of th e experi ence h e

’
.

did t hin k h is f ri end s soul w as pres ent but th ereaf ter never f e lt an y
’
,

ce r tainty on th e subj ect ; an d cons idering th e l anguage of s uch a ,

po em a s C XXX his uncerta inty seem s a l most inevitab l e

.
, .
1 92 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

prope rly a pply t o s omething m at eri al an d n ot t o th e s oul , .

An d e qu ally in a d e qu a t e will b e th e l a ngu a g e whi c h d es c ribe s

th e tr a n ce .

C ollin s c omp are s with th e s t anz a P a r a dis o XXXIII 55 7 , .

-
.

49 doubtf ul : c f LXI 9 T h e l a s t f our s t a nz as f o rm

.
‘ ’
. . .

s ur e ly if t a k e n a l o n e on e o f t h e m o s t w o nd e rf ul d e s c riptiv e
, ,

p as s age s in al l p oe try ; but in th e ir c o nt ex t th e y h ave an

ind e s c rib abl e e ff e c t t h e bre ez e s ee m ing to r e c all th e c oming
,

an d p a s s ing of t h e wind o f t h e Spirit in th e tr a n c e an d ,

th e m ingling o f t h e d im light s o f Eas t a n d W e s t b e i ng

s ee n a s th a t m ee ting o f li f e a n d d ea th whi c h h a s ju s t b e e d

e x p e ri e n c e d a s t h e pr e c ur s o r o f a n e ndl es s uni o n t o c om e .

6 3 Cf H e rb e rt Th e S ea r ch
. .
,
C f The R ing . .
,

An d p a s t a n d f utur e m ix d in H e av e n a n d m a d e ’
,

Th e r o s y twilight of a p e r f e c t d a y .

D im light s o f li f e oc c ur s in P o p e s E l egy to the M emory

’ ’
,

et c .
,
19 .

X CV I .

T his s e c tion h a s n o c onn ec tion with t h e pre

.

c e ding group u nl e ss through t h e m e ntion of

,
‘
doubt i n X C I V 1 4 an d XCV 3 0 4 4
’
. Lin e 1 1
,
.
,
.

how e v e r a t on c e r e c a lls X C V 2 9 3 0 a n d h e n c e it .
,

s ee m s n ot u nli k e ly th a t in X C V I a lso t h e po e t is .

d e s c ribing his fri e nd I t is tru e a s Ge nung .

,

obs e rv e s th a t n e ith e r t h e lin e s in X C V nor C I X 6

,
. .

i m ply th a t H a ll a m h ad to fight his doubts

’
But .

a sonn e t by H a ll a m print e d i n t h e R ema in s p 7 5 , ,

.
,

r e fe rs to a p e riod wh e n doubt m a d e a n u n k in d ‘

D e ce m b e r of [ his ] S pring an d c f t h e P r e fac e to .

t h e R ema in s p x x x i , . .

M r F e rr a ll thin k s t h e po e t is r e fe rring to h im
.

s e l f a n d to th a t c onqu e s t ov e r d o ubt o n whi c h t he

,

e x p e ri e n c e d e s c rib e d i n X C V h a s s e t t h e s e a l . .
1 94 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

2, 3 . llu s i on is t o th e s p e c tr e of th e Bro ck e n [A
Th e a .

c o r r e s p o nd e n c e in t h e Specta t or f o r Se pt 2 1 an d 2 8 1 901 .
, ,

s h o w s t h e n ec e ss ity of e x pl a ining th a t th e s p e c tr e
‘
is th e ’

o b s e rv e r s s h a d o w thr o wn o n a b a n k of m i s t I f t h e b a n k is
’
.

n e ar h im h is s h ad o w m ay a pp ea r e n or m ou s ly e x t e nd e d a n d ,

so ,
v a s t H e s ees a h a l o r ound it s h e ad but n o t round th e
.
’
,

h ea d o f a n y f ell ow ob s erv e r s s h a d o w ] - ’
.

7 . Cf 3 . .

15 .
‘
ea rn e s t ’
: pl e dg e .

16 . Cf . LX . 1 3, 14 .

2 1 . Cf . P o p e, R ape f
o th e Loch , II . 1 3 9,
‘
Som e thrid th e
ma zy ringl e t s of h er h a ir ’
an d Th e P r i n cess , IV t o thrid
.
,
‘

th e m u sk y c ir c l e d m a z e s
- .
’

X CVI I I .

To fri e nds abou t to visit V i e nn a wh e re H a l l a m ,

di e d T h e fee ling of r ec on c ili a ti o n with d e ath is

.

disturb e d For t h e o c c a s ion a n d d at e of t h e

.

s ec tion s e e I ntrodu c tion p I 5 , . .

3 . W h e n I w as th e r e with h im : in J uly 1 83 2
’
, .

7 8 ,
wi s p : W ill 0 th e wi s p in th e e y e s of : wat c h e d by
.
‘ " ’ ‘ ’
.

I 1 T h e a uth o r k e pt h is w o rd
. .

gn arr s n a rl C f Sp e n s e r F Q I v 3 4 f e lly
‘ ’ ‘
17 . . .
,
. .
, . .
,

g u arr e ( o f C e rb e ru
’
s ) an d S h ak e s p ea re s gn a rl : ,
F o r
’ ‘ ’ ‘

gn a rling rr o w h a th l es s p o w e r t o bit e
so ,
’
R . 1
. iii . 2 92 .

2 5 . m oth e r t o wn m e tr o p oli s .

XCI X .

’
T he s e c ond
n niv e rs a ry of h is fri e nd s d e a th
a

S e pt 1 5 Th e po e m op e ns with t h e s a me word s
. .

as LXX I I to whi c h it for m s a b ea utiful c ontr a st

.
,
.

5 . D a r k‘
ling r ed pr o b ably d e s c rib e s t h e f a ding o f r o s y
’

c l oud s t o w a rd s bl a ck n e s s n o t t h e d ee p e ning r e dn es s of a ,

cl ea r s k y Su ch f ading is a s ign of c o m ing r a in

. Cf . .
X C VII X C IX .
- . C om m e n t a r y
‘
di mly s w oll e n
’ ‘
M os t r ea d e r s s ee m t o i magin e a
’

m o rning s unny a s w e ll a s c a l m a n d s of t but th e r e is n othing ,

t o indi c a t e t h e f o r m e r .

9. f‘
o li a g e d : t h e w o r d m u
’
r m ur e s t s ugg e s t s t h e f o li
‘
a g e
’

o f tr e es s o th a t f oli a g e d m ay m ea n o v e r s h a d ow e d by
‘ ’ ‘
,

l e af y trees but it is m or e li k ely th a t it is u s ed a s in A l as tar

’
,

f o li a g e d l atti c e C f L A l l egr o ’ ’
. .

An d wind o w bid g o o d m or r o w
at my ,

T hr ough th e s w ee t bri a r o r t h e vin e -

O r th e twi s t e d e gl a ntin e .

M r F e rr all , t o wh om I o we th e ob s e rv a ti on ab out
. mu r
mur e s t , s ugg es t s th a t f oli ag e d e av e s ma y e v e n m ea n
’
ea ve s
of f o li ag e, th e f oli a g e
b e ing th at o f tre es ov e r s h a d o wing th e
’

l a wn An d I h av e s e e n e a v e s s o u s e d i n p o etry
.
‘ ’
.

12 . fi e ry c f C I 4
‘ ’
. . .

1 3 2 0 C o ntr a s t VI
-
. st 2 T h e e x p a n s i o n of f e e ling h e r e
.
, . .

pr ep ar es u s f o r th e p o e m s a b out t o f oll o w .

b al my br ea th
‘
Othell o V ii 1 6 Ah b al my
’ ‘
13 . cf .
,
. .
,

br ea th th a t dos t al mos t p ers u a d e J u s ti c e t o break h er s w o rd

, .
’

17 . th os e o f 1 6
‘ ’
.

18 .Cf Al l thing s th a t m o v e b e tw e e n t h e qui e t p o l e s

.
‘
,
’

M arl o w e D r Fa u s t u s o p e ning s olil oquy

, .
,
.

SEC T I O NS Ca n .

Th e po e t l e a ve s t he ho me whi c h h as so m any
a sso c i a tions both with his c hildhood an d with his

fri e nd Loving r e trosp ec t is m i ngl e d with t h e

.

i mpuls e forw a rd s to a l a rge r life T his grou p .

for m s a tr a nsition to t he l a st P a rt o f =
I n M em or ia m .

T h e r ea d e r h as b e e n pre p a r e d for it by t h e
d e s c riptions in LXX I X LXXX I X X CV a n d X C I X , ,
.
,
.
,

so th a t h e s e e m s to b e fa m ili a r with t h e ho m e
th a t h as to b e l e ft .
1 96 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

For th e o c c a sion an d d ate see I ntrodu c tion ,

p. 1 5
.

In l e aving t he old ho m e h e s e e m s to los e h is

fri e nd a ga in ; but t h e o rigin a l fee ling of lo s s is
r e produ c e d fa intly a n d peac e f ully a n d t h e m e m o ri e s ,
’
r e c a ll e d a r e not poign a nt but gr ac iou s a n d t e nd e r ‘
.

I C li m b t h e hill : fir s t e d : 1 w ak e I ri s e : whi c h
‘ ’ ‘ ’
1: .
,

f a il e d t o indi c a t e t h e p o int of vi e w For th e hill c f .

‘ ’
.
f
LXXXIX 3 0 . .

9 ,
10 . The ti m e is a utu m n b e twee n
, th e ti m e s of X C IX . an d

C IV .

13 . Cf .
‘
th e tin k ling rill s,
’
P o p e , E l ois a t o A bel a r d, 1 58 ,

an d M a rv e ll , Cl or in da an d D a m on ,
N r thi s a f o unt a in s liquid b ell
ea ,
’

T in k l es within t h e c on c a v e s h e ll .

17 . Cf . VII I . 2 1 .

H e turn s in thi s e x quisite po e m fro m t h e , ,

a s s o c i a tions of t h e h o m e w ith his fri e nd to its

a sso c i a tions with h is own c hildhood .

3 . b e e c h : c f XXX 9
‘ ’
. . .

4 Cf 11 1 1 X C IX 1 2
. . .
,
. .

8 C f LXXXIX 52
. . . .

9 f Th e br o ok s e e m s t o h a v e b ee n an obj e c t of s p e c i al
.

a f f e c ti o n Cf LXXIX 9 1 0 LXXXIX 4 3 5 X C V 7 X C IX
. . .
, ,
.
-
,
.
,
.

5, 6, c 1 4 .
-
16 . Th e pr ese nt lin e s s eem t o b e th e ge rm of

Th e B r ooh .

1 1, 1 2 wh en e t c Th e p ol e s t a r on e of th e s t a r s in
.
‘
or ,
’
.
-
,

t h e l e s s e r w a in o r u r s a m in or f o r m s t h e a pp a r e nt ax i s o f
‘ ’
, ,

th at c o n s t e ll a ti o n T h e p e riphras i s s ee m s n e edl e s s ly e l ab o
.

r at e but it pr e s u m ably r e call s th e b oy s pl eas ure in w at c hing

,
’
 In M e m o r ia m SE C TION

CII I .
O C
H is s adn e ss a t l e aving t h e old ho m e is c h a ng e d
to c ont e nt by a dr e a m I n int e rpre ting this
.

dre a m w e m ust re m e mb e r th a t e v e n i f it s r e c ord ,

is a f f e c t e d by w a k ing i m agin a tion it is not li k e ly to ,

for m a n e ntir e ly c onsist e nt a ll e gory a n d a l s o th a t ,

t h e d r ea m t h o ugh pri m a rily a bout t h e po e t s life is

’

, ,

a lso a bout hu m a n life i n g e n e r a l Th e riv e r f e d .

fro m hidd e n su mm its is life on e arth T h e s e a is .

e t e rnity or th e life b eyond ( this i m a ge is h a bitu a l

,

with T e nnyson : C f C XXV 1 3 ; Th e P a ss ing of

. .

A r th u r wh e re t h e great w a t e r op e n s on t h e
‘ ’

O c e a n ; t he p assing of Gal ah a d i n The H oly

Gr a il ; Cr oss ing the B a r ) Th e m a id e ns T e nny
.
,

son b e li e ve d ( Ga tty ) st a nd for t h e M us e s A rts

,
‘
, ,

e tc.
’
but i n so f ar as t he dr e a m c on ce rns t h e
,

individu al life of t h e po e t th e y m ust r a th e r ,

st a nd for t h e c orr e s ponding a spir a tions a n d

a c tiviti e s within h im ; e sp e c i a lly for his po e try ,

an d ,
p erh a ps e m in e ntly t he poe m s a bou t his
,

fri e nd ; oth e rwis e th e ir growing a n d d e p a rting

with h im would b e m ea ningl e s s T h e y sing to .

t h e st a tu e for t h e po e t s fri e nd is both t h e c e ntr e

’

of his love an d a typ e to h im ( s ee th e c o ming

s e c tions
) of t h e id ea l hu m a nity of t h e futur e ,

a lr e a dy r e a lis e d in t h e oth e r life T h e ir ignora n ce

.

(12 , th e ir w a iling a n d th e ir r e pro a c h e s

(4 5 a pp e a r to indi c a t e th a t th ough a s pIrIn g ,

to th e id ea l th e y r e c ognis e it only in its e a rthly

,

for m s a n d s o t a k e t h e po e t s d e p artur e to b e a
,
’

d e s e rtion of th e s e for m s a n d of th e m T h e ir .
C III . C o m m en t a r y 1 99

p a ssing with h im to t h e oth e r l ife m e a ns th a t

‘
e v e rything th a t m a d e Life b e a uti fu l h e r e w e ,

m a y hop e m ay p a ss on with us b e yond t h e

gra v e ( a uthoris e d int e rpr e t a tion i n Ga tty
) .

St a n z a s 7 9 typify t h e bro a d e ning a n d d ee p e ning

-

of life a n d t he Spiritu a l e x p a nsion whi c h will fit

,

t h e po e t to m e e t his fri e nd a g a in ; a lso t h e gr e a t

‘

progr e ss of t h e a ge ( T e nnyson to M r Knowl e s ) ’

. .

Th e growth of lov e for t h e fri e nd i nto l ov e

for m a n k ind o r r a th e r for t h e d ivi n e hu m a n ity
—
, ,

to whi c h m a n k ind is a dv a n c ing is s e e n i n this —

s e c tion a n d b e c o m e s pro m in e n t l a t e r
,
.

5, 6 C f th e m y s ti c m o unt a in r a ng e in
‘ ’
. .
-
Th e Vis ion o f Sin ,
a n d Th e A n cien t S age

Thi s w e alth of w a t e r s m ight but s e e m t o dra w

Fr o m y o n d a rk c a v e but s on t h e s o ur c e is high e r , , , ,

Yon s u mm it h a l f a l ea gu e i n a ir an d high e r - - —

T h e c l o ud th a t hid e s it high e r s till t h e h ea v e n s —

Wh er eby th e c l oud wa s m ould e d a n d wh e reout ,

T h e c l oud d es ce nd e d F o r c e is f ro m t h e h e ight s . .

Cf . a so l Th e P oet s M in d ’
.

8 . Cf . Gear . II . 1 57 ,
‘
Fl um in a que an t iqu os s ub t e r l ab e n t ia

m ur o s .
’

1 4, 1 5 l o ve d a n d l o v e For e ve r
.
‘
I T h e w o rd s a r e
, .
’

a l m os t r e p e a t e d i n t h e l as t lin e o f Va s tn ess .

20 fl oo d riv e r : c f LXXXVI 7
.
‘ ’
. . .

24 g old e n r ee d thi s d oe s n o t a pp ea r t o b e t h e p opul a r

.
‘ ’

n am e o f an y pl a nt Th e Bra n ch e d Bur r ee d Spa rga n iu m.

-
,

Ra mos u m s ee m s m o s t li k e ly t o b e t h e pl a nt int e nd e d
, It .

h a s b ee n s ugg e s t e d th a t iri s m ea n s t h e purpl e iri s a n d ‘ ’

,
‘
g old e n r ee d th e y ell ow on e but th e purpl e on e d o e s n o t
’
,

grow in th e s itu a ti o n r e quir e d .

3 0 C f Epil ogu e 1 9 2 0
. .
, ,
.
2 00 In M e m o r iam SE CTIONS

3 3 36
-
. Fo r thi s ‘
Vi s i on of th e W o rl d ’
cf . C X V III . I 4,

Epil o gu e , 12 8 ff .
, L ochs l ey H a l l , Lochs l ey H a l l Si x ty Yea r s

SEC T I O NS C I V -C V I . .

W ith th e s e tions b e gin s t h e Fourth P a rt o f

s ec

I n M em or ia m Se e p 3 4 . . .

C hrist m a stid e a n d Ne w Y e a r in t he n e w ho me .

T h e po e t turn s a w a y fro m t h e p a s t a n d it s p riv a t e

gri e f a n d loo k s to t h e future an d his hop e s for
,

m a n k ind .

T his is t h e third C hri s t ma s s in c e his fri e nd s

’

d e a th Se e XXV I I I XXX
. LXXV I I I Fo r t h e .
-
.
, .

lo c a liti e s a n d d a t e s e e I ntrodu c tion p 1 5 T h e ,

. .

C hur c h of C I V 3 is W a lth a m A bb e y . .

C IV .

1, 2 . Re p e a t e d f r o m XX V III . I, 2 . Th e r e m a ind e r of th e
sec ti o n d e t a il e d c o ntra s t with XXVIII
f orm s a .

11 br eath e s a f a v ourit e w o rd with T e nny s o n

.
‘ ’
as with
M ilt o n C f ( in thi s p a rt o f th e p oe m ) X C IX 7 C 3
. . .
,
. .

12 u n h a ll o w d
. c ontra s t X C IX 8 ’ ’
. .

C hrist m as Eve . Se e XX I X .
,
X XX .
,
an d L XXV I I I .

1, 2 . Fir s t ed

h o lly by th e c o tt age e a v e
T hi s ,

T o night u n ga th e r d s h a ll it s t a nd ,
’
,
.

T h e c h ang e w as prob a bly m a d e b e c a u s e e a ve

‘ ’ ‘
an d
’
e ve

d o n o t rhy m e Ye t s e e on VIII 5 8. .
,
.

4 . s tr a ng e ly :
‘
c o ntra s t s a dly XXX 4 an d
’ ‘
,
’
.
,
c al m ly ,
’

L x x v 11 1
‘

.
4
2 02 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

9, 1 0, 1 9, 20 . Cf . P r o l o gu e , 3 7 f f .
,
LXXXV . 6 1 , 62 , an d

Epil ogu e , 2 1 ff .

12 . Cf . P r o l o gu e , 12 .

2 7 . Cf . C III .
33 .

32
‘
M y f a th e r
pr e s se d h is c o nvi c ti o n
ex th a t th e
“
.

f orm s of C hri s ti a n r e ligi o n w o uld a lt e r but th a t th e s pirit o f ,

C hri s t would s till gr ow f rom mo r e t o m o r e in th e roll o f

”
t h e a ge s ,

T ill e a c h m a n find h is o wn in a ll m e n s g oo d ’
,

An d a l l m e n w o rk in n o bl e br o th e rh o o d .

”
T hi s is o n e o f m y m ea ning s h e s a id of , ,

R ing in t h e C hri s t th a t is t o b e
wh e n C hri s ti anity with out bigo try will triu m p h wh e n t h e ,

c o ntro v e r s i es o f c r e e d s s h a ll h a v e v a ni s h e d a n d ,

Sh a ll b e a r f a l s e witn ess eac h of e a c h n o m o re , , ,

But find th e ir li m it s by th a t l a rg e r light ,

An d o v e r s t e p th e m m o ving e as ily ,

T hr o a f t e r a g e s in th e Lo v e o f T ruth
’ -
,

Th e T ruth o f Lo v e ( M em o ir 1 32 5 ,
.
,

For t h e a ntith e s i s with th e da r h n es s o f t h e l a nd c f XXX ‘ ’

. .

- 2
2 9 3 .

CV I I .

The fri e nd s birthd ay ( Fe b 1 ) Sh a ll b e k e pt

’
.

c h e e rily a s though h e hi m s e l f w e r e th e r e
,
.

T h e C h a ng e i n t h e po e t s a ttitud e s e e n i n h is
’

di s mi s s a l both of gri e f a n d o f s pe c ul a tion a bout

'

t h e d ea d is str o ngly m a r k e d
,
.

I n writing thi s s e c tion T e n ny s on doubtl e s s ,

re m e mb e r e d not only H or a c e Odes 1 ix but t h e , ,

. .
,

fra g m e nt o f A l c a e us on whi c h th a t O de is b a s e d .

8 . Cf . Th e P r ogr es s f
o Spr i ng
f ro m
dripping eave s all th e
T h e s p ea r o f ic e h a s w e pt it s e l f a w a y .

s h ar pe n d by t h e ic e on th em
’ ’
.
C VI .
,
C VI I . C o m m en t a r y 2 03

9 T h e
. ic y bu s h es an d th o rn s p o int li k e bri s tl e s t o wa rds
th e m oon C f Wa l hing to the M a il
. .

T h e re
by th e hu mp b ack d will ow : h al f s t and s up ’
-

An d bri s tl es .

11 grid e s
.
‘
t og e th e r : mak es gr a t e t og e th e r G rid e ’
.
‘ ’

o rigin a lly m e a nt pi e r c e with o ut a n y r e f e r en c e \t o s o und an d

‘ ’
, ,

th e re d o es n ot a pp ea r t o b e an y s u c h r e f er e n c ein Sp e n s er s ’

o r M ilt o n s u s e o f th e w o rd (e g P L
’
VI I t is pr o b . . . .
,
.

a bl e th a t T e nny so n wa s i nflu e n c e d by Sh e ll e y P r om Un b ,
.
,

III . 1

H ea r y e th e thund e r of th e fi e ry wh e e l s
G riding th e win ds ?
f or h e u s es th e w o rd o f thund e r in T h e h e a vy thund e r s
‘ ’

gri ding m ight Ch or us in P oems ,

’

c l a ng s t og e th e r : c f B oa dicea
‘ ’
.

T ill h er p eo pl e a l l a r ound th e r o y a l c h a ri o t a git a t ed ,

M a dly d ash d th e d art s t og e th e r writhing b a rb a r o u s li n e a

’
,

m e nt s ,

M a d e t h e n o i s e of f r os t y w oodl a nd s wh e n th e y s hiv e r in ,

J anu ary .

12 iro n may r ef e r t o s ound a s w e ll a s to t h e s t i f f n es s of

‘ ’

th e a s ce nding br a n c h e s .

13 14 ,
dri f t s : G a tty s ay s dri f t s of s n o w w h ich f a ll in g
.
‘ ’
, , _

int o wa t e r i m m e di a t e ly bl ac k e n b e f o re th e y di s s olv e an d ,
’

r ea d e r s s ee m u s u ally t o t ak e th e p ass ag e thu s But it is .

di ff i c ult t o r ec o n c il e thi s int e rpre t a ti o n with t h e purpl e ‘

f ro s ty b a n k bri s tl e s t h e h a rd c r e s c e nt an d t h e sound s of
’ ’ ‘ ’
, , ,

t h e w o od : an d it s e e m s mor e li k e ly th a t t h e d ri f t s are
vi ol e nt s qu all s o f w in d (Cf 6 7 ) whi c h ar e s e e n t o s tri k e an d.
,

d a rk e n th e m oo n lit roll e r s ( cf LXXXVI -

Th e o nly ob j ec . .

ti o n t o thi s is th a t T e nny s o n a pp a r e ntly d oe s n o t e l s e wh er e

u s e dri f t o f m e r e wind o r a nything e l s e invi s ibl e H e u se s .

t h e w o rd o f s n o w ( P r ogr ess of Spr ing r ain ( Ul ys ses ) , ,

s m ok e ( Com ing of A r t h u r ) s l e e t o f di a m o nd s ( V i s ion of S in )

, ,

fli ck ering s p e c tr es (D emeter a n d P er s ephon e) an d driv e of ,

'
2 04 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

s unlight ( Ros a l in d a n d h a il ( S ir Ga l a ha d ) : c f LXX 1 0

,
. . .

D rif t s = w in d s is h ow e v e r n o t v e ry f a r f r om dri f t wind s in - ’

, , ,

The Tw o Nobl e Kin s m en V iii 9 9 w a t e r s th a t dri f t wind s ,

. .
,
-

f or c e t o r a ging
’
.

15 br e ak s : Cf Ode on the D ea th of th e D uhe of

.
‘ ’
.

Wel l ingt on a s qu o t e d o n C XXI I I

,
.

23 VVh a t e e r h e b e
.
’
cf C XXIX a n d C XXX 5 an d c on ’
. . .
,

tr a s t with t h e f r e qu e nt s p e c ul a ti o n s on th e s ubj e c t e a rli e r in

I n M em or ia m P e rh a p s h e r e T e nny s o n r e m e mb e r e d t h e
.

P e r m it t e D ivi s c e t e ra o f H o r a c e s O de
’
.

CV I I I .

‘
He will no longe r liv e a lon e with sorrow ,

b r o oding on t h e p as t a n d t h e m y s t e ri e s o f d e ath
an d t h e futur e life H e will g a th e r fro m h is .

s o rrow so m e fruit of wisdo m f o r hi m s e lf an d oth e rs

’
h e re on e a rth .

5 f a ith
,
‘
fid elity ( C E B enh am ) but t h e m or e o bvi o u s
’
. .
,

se n s e ( f a i th O pp w o r k s ) s uit s t h e n e x t lin es b e tt e r
. .

8 . we ll s ’
s ee o n X . 17 .

9 1 2 T h e u s u a l int e rpr e t a ti o n , th a t th e m e dit a ti on s ju s t

-
.

re f e rr e d t o m u s t b e u n tr u e, b e ca u s e h e s i m ply r ead s h is o wn

th ough t s or f ancies
int o th e unive r s e s e e m s t o m e t o di s turb ,

th e dri f t o f th e s ec ti o n Th e m a in p o int is th a t th e s e m e di
.

tat io n s a r e ba r r en
‘
v a c ant s upply n o f oo d
,
’ ‘
yi e ld n o ,
’

f ruit b e c au s e th e y s hut h im f rom h is k ind within th e

c ir c l e of h is priva t e gri ef an d give n o wi s d o m a ppli c a bl e ,

under hu m a n s k i es .

12 f ace
. h is ow n o f c our s e
’
C f A l as tor,
. .

H is e y e s b e h e ld
T h e ir o w n w an light thr o ugh t h e r e fl e c t e d lin e s
O f h is thin h a ir di s tin c t in t h e d a r k d e pth ,

O f th a t s till f o unt a in a s t h e hu m a n h ea rt ,

G a zing in dr eam s ov e r t h e gl oom y grav e ,

Sees it s ow n tr ea c h e r o u s li k e n e s s th e r e .
2 06 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

loving fr e e do m but a n ord e r e d fr ee do m ; u niting ,

t h e str e ngth of a m an with t h e gr ac e of a

wo m an .

f r om
h ou se h old f ount a in s n o t i m p ort e d f rom an ’ ‘
2 .

int ell ec tu al h om e ( G a tty ) n or I thin k d e fining t h e t a l k a s

’
, , ,

a b o ut d o m es ti c s ubj ec t s ( C E B e nh a m ) but s pringing . .

,

f r om within o rigin al C f th e Si m il a r u s e o f ozx o

’ ’ '
. . o ev.
,

6 C f X C V 2 9 3 0 a n d X C VI 1 3
. . .
, ,
. .

13 r ar ely as in X C I 2 I pr es u m e
.
’
.
,
.

I 6 Cf . C XXVI I 7 : an d f or an ex agge ra t e d dra ma ti c e x

. .
,

pr e s s i o n t h e T o ry m e mb e r s eld e r s on in th e C o n c lu s i o n o f
,
’ ’

t he P ri n ces s .

24 . Al mos t r ep eat e d in th e l a s t lin e of th e P o o r l gu e .

s e c tion r e fe rs m o r e sp e c i ally to t he in
T hi s
fl ue n c e e x e rte d on oth e rs through so c i a l int e r
c our s e by t h e c h a r a c t e r dr a wn in C I X .

2 yo ung e r a n d e ld e r ali k e
. R a th e .
’ ’
is ea rly .
’

t h e se rp e nt a c c u se r an d li a r
’
7 .
,
.

8 V irgil s l in guis m ic a t or e t r is ul c is
.
’ ‘
,
’
Geor . I II .
439 .

d o ubl e fir s t e d
‘
tr e b l e ’
.
‘
.
’

13 n e ar e s t : firs t e d
.
‘
d e ar es t ’
.
‘
.
’

17 Nor : firs t e d
. No t ’
. .
’

I if . Cf . Th e P r i n ces s , IV
th e c l own ,

T ho
’
s m ock
’
d, or f ur r d ’
an d purpl e d s till , t h e c o wn l
3 . T o h im wh o gr as p s firs t ed . T o wh o m a y gra s p .
’

9,
‘
act pl ay a p art
’
.

10 .
‘
m e mo ri e s o f m in e ’
.
C IX .
-
C XII . C o m m en t ar y

13 B e s t s eem d
.
‘ ’
th e thing h e w as ’
: fir s t ed : .
‘
So w o re
o utw a rd b e s t
’
h is .

1 5, I 6 . Cf . Gu in ev er e
For m a nn e r s ar e n ot idl e but th e f ruit
,

Of l oya l n a ture ,
an d o f n o bl e m ind .

18 .
‘
vill a in ’
: u s e d in r ef e r e n c e t o Churl t h e o pp o s it e ‘
,
’
of

g entl e ’
an d
‘
g e ntl e m a n in th e t e c hni c a l s e n s e
’
.

20 . Cf . LXXXVII .
3 8
6 - .

CX I I .

T he d rift of this obs c ure ly writt e n po e m a pp ea rs

to b e as follows T h e po e t is c riti c is e d by a wis e .

fri e nd b e c a us e a lthough h e is n ot d a zzl e d by m e n

,

of glorious but u n e v e nly d e ve lop e d pow e rs h e ,

thin k s littl e of m e n of t h e Opposit e k ind who h av e ,

mould e d n a rrow e r pow e rs i nto a c o m p a r a tiv e ly

pe rfe c t whol e B ut t h e po e t a n swe rs t h e r e a son
.
, ,

why a n ature of t h e l a tt e r k in d a pp eals littl e to

h im is his lov e for his d e a d fri e nd i n whos e sou l ,

n e w pow e rs c onst a ntly spr a ng into b e in g a n d t h e ,

m a t e ri a l fa shion e d by thought an d will wa s a t

on ce so c o m pl e t e ly fa shion e d a n d so v a st th a t it
wa s i m possibl e to hop e too m u c h for his futur e
d e v e lop m e nt .

T h e s ec tion is a l m ost inv a ri ably m isund e rstood ,

’
b e c a us e t h e phr a s e glorious in s uf fic ien c ie s is ‘

( n a tur a lly ) t a k e n to a pply to t h e po e t s fri e nd a n d

’

th en t h e po e t is suppos e d to b e e x pl aining his

a d m ir a tion for su c h glorious i nsu f fi c i e n c y Y e t it .

is pl a in ( I ) th a t g a z e with t e m p e ra t e ey e s
on do e s n ot m e a n a d m ir e ; an d ( 2 ) th a t t h e
’ ‘ ’
2 08 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIO NS

c h a r ac t e r d e s c rib e d in t h e l a s t t wo st a nz a s is n o t
o n e of insu f fi c i e n c y how e v e r glorious but o n e th a t , ,
’ ’
is n e ith e r in s uf fi c ie n t nor n a rrow but both
‘ ‘
,
’
T h e po e t i n sh o r t
’
‘
glori o us an d p e rfe c t ‘
.
, ,

a n s w e rs high wi s do m by s aying : I do not

‘ ’

a d m it th a t I m u s t c hoos e b e tw e e n gloriou s in
s u ffi c i e n c y a n d n a rrow p e rfe c tn e s s I rej ec t both ,

for I k n e w a m a n who h ad t h e virtu e s of e a c h

a n d t h e d e fe c t s of n e ith e r .

2 with t e m p e ra t e e y e s : t h e int e rpr e t ati on give n a b ov e

.
‘ ’

( und
‘
a zzl e d o r with o ut ’
m u c h e nthu s i‘
as m ) s ee m s t o m e
’

th e m o s t n a tur al : but it is p os s i b l e t o c o n s tru e

‘
I wh o ,

t o l e rat e t h e f a ult s of th e gr e a t ( C E B e n h am ) I n n e ith e r

l ’
. . .

c a s e c an th e phras e r e f e r t o H all a m
.
.

4 s e t light by
. m ak e light o f s light ’
,
.

8 l es s e r l o rd s o f d oo m m e n w h o h aving s tr ong will s

.
‘ ’
, ,

c a n m a k e t h e m o s t o f th e m a t e ri a l o f th e ir n a tur e a n d s o ,

c ontrol th e ir l ot but wh o a r e l e s s e r ( th a n th e p o e t s f ri e nd or
,
’

e v e n th e gl o ri ou s in s uffi c ie n c y ) b ec au s e th e m a t e ri al is
‘ ’

thin W ith th e phr a s e c f M e n a t som e ti m e a r e m a s t e r s

. .
‘

o f th e ir f at es ju l iu s Ca s a r 1 ii 1 3 9
’
. . .
, ,

13 T h e m at e ri a l is a b und a nt a n d it is o rd e r e d
.
,
.

1 5 1 6 M e t a ph o r f r o m tid es a n d m oo n
,
. C f C owl e y On . .
,

th e d ea th of M r l Vil l ia m H er v ey (a p o e m whi c h I n
.
/

M em or ia m o f t e n bring s t o m ind )

So tr ong a wit did N ature t o h im f ram e

s ,

As a ll thing s but h is j udg m e nt o v e r c a m e ;

H is j udg me nt li k e t h e h ea v e nly m o on did Sh o w ,

T e m p e ring th a t m ighty s ea b e l o w .

1
So l
a so B ch ing
ee , I wh o m a k e a ll ow nce a f o r th e weak ness es
genius
’
of m en of .
2 10 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

how ev e r t h e d istin c ti o n is not id e nti ca l with

,

T e nny s on s ) C f P a r Los t VI I I 2 6 if
’
. . .
,
. .

For t h e division or u nion of k nowl e dge an d

re ve re n c e ( 2 8 ) c f Prol o gu e 2 5 2 6 t h e P r in ces s .
, , , ,

V I L, an d Love th ou thy l a n d
M ak e k n owl e dg e c ir c l e with th e wind s ;
But l e t h er h e rald Re v e r e n ce , ,
fly
B ef o re h er t o wh a t eve r S k y
B ear s e e d of m en an d gro wth o f m ind s .

For t h e c ond e m n ation of k n o wl e dge sought

‘
for powe r ( 1 5 2 6 ) c f t h e P r in ces s V I L wh e re
’

,
.
, ,

I d a c on fe ss e s th a t s h e s ought f ar l e ss for truth ‘

’
T h a n pow e r in k nowl e dg e .

4 . pill ar s of H e r c ul es r epr ese nt e d th e f arth es t b o un

Th e
d ary of th e a n c i e nt m a rin e r s ( B eec hing ) .

9 . va in C f P rol o gu e 3 2 M a u d 1 iv s t vi1
‘
.
’
.
, ,
. . . .

1 0 B ec a u se s h e c a nn o t pr o v e a li f e b e y o nd d e ath : s h e
.

is o f thing s w e s ee .
’

12 Allu s i o n t o th e m yth o f P a ll as s pringing f r om t h e

.

bra in of Z e u s Cf with t h e c o nd e mn a ti o n o f int ell e c t

. .

s e v e r e d f r om l ov e an d f a ith th e id ea o f p oeti c f an c y
‘ ’
,
‘
with out a c o n s c i e n c e o r an aim an d s o yi e lding m e re ’

f a nt as ti c b e auty ( XXXIV 5
‘ ’
.

17 A high e r h a nd : th a t o f wi s d om
.
‘
T h e l a tt e r
’

word h as t o T e nny s o n r e ligi ou s a s s oc i a ti on s ulti ma t ely

d e riv e d f r o m Al exa ndri a n phil oso phy C f XXXVI 4 9 . . .
, .

27 by y ea r an d h our fir s t e d
. f r o m h o ur t o h our ’
.
‘
.
’

CX V .

Spring o me s on c e more a n d with t h e b e a uty

c ,

of t he world his r e gre t a ls o a wa k e s a n d blosso m s .

’

Cf . XXXV I I I . an d L XXX I I I .
C XIV C XVI .
- . C o m m en t a r y

2 .
‘
ma z e of qui c k ’
: t angl e d h e dg e . For ‘
qu i ck ’
cf .

LXXXVII I . 2 .

3 .
‘
s qu are s ’
: fi eld s . Cf . Th e Ga r den er ’
s D a ugh ter
l a n d i n fl o w e ry s qu ar es
Al l th e
Sme lt o f th e c om ing s u mme r .

7 C f G oe th e s A n die E n tf er n te
’
. .

We nn in d em bl au e n R au m v erl o r e n
H o c h iib er ihn d ie Lerc h e s ingt .

liv ing c f M ilt o n s livin g sapphire s T h e w ord was

‘ ’
.
’ ‘
.
’

a gr ea t f a v o urit e with G r a y a n d with Sh e ll e y w h o o f t e n u s e s ,

i t o f light an d c ol our .

s ightl e ss so ng : c f Sh e ll e y s lin e s To a S hy l a r h a n d
‘ ’ ’
8 . .
,

G ray s o de on Viciss itu de I 5 1 6 f or s ightl e s s c f X C II I 9

’
, ,
‘
,
’
. . .

14 gr e ening gl eam o ut o n th e s ea
.
‘ ’
.

c h ang e th e ir s k y : H ora c e s c oe lu m m ut ant Ep

‘ ’ ’ ‘ ’
15 .
,
.

I xi 2
. .
7 .

1 8, 2 0 . Cf . LXXXII I . 1 3 - 1 6, an d a s o l th e budding of th e
r wn
c o of th orn s

C XV I .

‘
No
not only r e gre t but life
, ,
an d fa ith an d

longi ng for t h e fri e nd shi p to c o me .

’

3 .
‘
th e y ear ,
’
r e g ard e d as b eginning in s pring . Cf .

LXXXI II .

5 . s tirring ’
with th e li f e of i n sec t s .

9 . Cf . LXX .

I 1 . Fir s t ed

Th e d ea r d ea r v oi c e th at
, I h av e k n o wn
W ill s p eak .

Th e rigin al lin es s ee m b ett e r th an th e l a t e r v e r s i on in

o ,

whi c h o n c e ac c e ntu a t es t h e a wk wardn e ss of h av e k n o wn

’ ‘

u s e d f or k n e w ‘
.
’
2 12 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

CXV I I .

He thin k c h ee rful ly of t h e y e ars th a t

c an

s e p a r at e h im fro m th a t fri e nd s hip for th e y will ,

’
only e nh a n c e its d e light C f Sh a k e spe ar e Sonn e t . .
,

56 .

2 . Cf . LXXXIII . 6 .

10 . t l
s ea s
’
: cf . Sh ak e s p ea r e , Sonn et 7 7 ,
‘
thy di a l s s h ady
’

t lth
s ea .
’

I 1 .wh eel s of th e c l ock ,

’
.

12 Cf Sh ak e s p ea r e Sonn e t 59
. . five hundr e d c our s e s
, ,
‘

o f t h e s un T e nny s o n u s e s t h e plura l b e c au s e h e r ef e r s t o
.
’

t h e s t ar s as w e ll a s o ur s un C f CV 2 5 2 8 . . .
-
.

C XV I I I .

T hi s s e c tion i s c onn e c t e d with C XV I I in so .

f a r a s i t a llud e s to m a n s futur e life a n d in s o f a r

’

a s both i n a s e n s e d e a l with t h e
,
wor k of T i m e ,

( s e e lin e I of e ac h s e c tion ) pr e p a r a tory to th a t

life . For t h e d a t e of c o mpositi o n s e e I ntro
du c tion p 1 5 , . .

D o not b e li e v e th a t m a n s s oul is li k e m e re
‘ ’

m att e r or h as b e e n produ c e d li k e low e r for m s

, ,

in t h e e a rl i e r ag e s of t h e e a rth only to p e rish , .

B e li e ve th a t h e is d e stin e d both to adv a n c e to

s o m e thing high e r on t h e e a rth a n d a lso to d e v e lop e ,

in so me high e r pl ac e e ls e wh e r e i f h e r e p e a ts ,

t h e pro ce s s of e volution by s ubduing t h e low e r

within h im to t h e us e s of t h e high e r wh e th e r in ,
’
pe a ce ful growth or through pain ful struggl e .

S u c h s e e m s t o b e t h e g e n e r a l m e a n ing but ,
2 14 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

1 0, 1 1 ing i m pli e s th at t h e a pp ea ra n c e of ch a n c e
.
‘
s ee m
’

a n d o f blind d e s tru c ti o n is pr ob ably d e lu s iv e .

C f LVI 9 C y c li c s t o r m s : p e ri odi c c a t a c ly s m s ’
12 . . . . .

13 thr ove e t c : in s t ea d o f b e ing th e pr e y o f c y c li c

.
‘
,
’

s t or m s .

a high e r r a c e : t h e gr ea t or c ro wning r a c e o f
‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’
14 .

C 111 3 5 Epil o gu e 1 2 8 f f
.
,
a n d m a ny p a s s a g e s e l se wh e r e e g
,
.
, ,
. .

The M a h ing of M a n in T e nny s on s l as t v o lu m e I n s pit e o f ’

.

th e a ntith e ti c hi m s el f in 1 5 th e id ea is n ot I thin k o f a
‘ ’
, , ,

n on hu m a n high e r r ac e a s in M a u d 1 iv s t vi
-
, ,
. . . .

15 high e r pl ac e th a n th e e arth
.
’
.

16 typ e : r e pr ese nt b e an in s t a n ce of C f XXXI II 1 6

.
‘ ’
,
. . .

f or t h e s ub s t a ntiv e For th e v e rb c f P r in cess VI I . .

,

D ea r but l e t u s typ e th e m n ow ,

I n our own liv e s .

T h e r e t h e thing typ e d is in th e f utur e : h e re it is in th e ‘ ’

p as t s o th a t typ e
,
‘
For thi s u se c f On’
.

fi ected a n emi n a t e M u n n er
'

on e who a efi
priz e th a t s oul wh e re m an an d woman m ee t
I ,

W hi c h typ es all N a tur e s m al e an d f e mal e pl a n ’

.

T h e p as s a g e b eginning with lin e 1 6 is v e ry ob s c ur e .

Ac c o rding t o m y int e rpr e t a ti o n t wo p o s s ibl e w ay s by whi c h

m an c an r e p ea t t h e w o r k of ti me w ithin hi m s e l f a n d s o ,

a dva n c e on e a rth an d e l s e wh e r e ar e m e nti o n e d ; on e is ,

th a t of s t ea dy thriving an d a dding mor e t o m or e ; th e ‘ ’

o th e r th a t o f p a in f ul s truggl e ( lin es 1 8 ff ) T h e w o rd s o ‘ ’
.

in 1 6 w ould r e f e r t o lin e 1 3 or I f s o may b e t ak e n t og e th e r ,

‘ ’

as = i f s o b e th a t
‘ ’
.

I n t h e fir s t e diti on h o w e v e r lin e 1 8 r e a d n o t O r c r own d , , , ,

’
,
’

but An d c r own d : an d thi s (unl es s an d w a s a m e re

‘
,
’ ’ ‘ ’ ‘

m i s writing or m i s print ) m ay I ndi c a t e th a t wh e n T e nny s on ,

wr ot e th e p as s ag e h e h ad n o s u c h s h a rp di s tin c ti o n in m ind
,

as is i m pli e d i n t h e a b o v e int e rpr e t a ti o n a n d th a t O r is

‘ ’
,

e quiv a l e nt a s s e v e r a l c o rr e s p o nd e nt s s ugg es t t o a phra se

, ,

li k e O r t o put it o th erwi s e W ith th i s i nt e rpr e t a ti o n if

‘
, .
’ ‘
C XVI II C XIX .
,
. C om m en t ar y
so
’
is b es t t a k e n a s = if
th a t But th e int e rpr e t ati o n
‘
so be .
’

d oe s n o t s ee m t o a c c o unt f o r t h e c h a ng e of An d int o O r ’
.
’

B ee c hing s n o t e on O r e t c giv e s a p o ss ibl e s e n s e T o

’
,
’
.
,

s o m e s e l f c ultiva ti o n is p os s ibl e ; o th e r s w h o a r e a t th e
-

m e r c y of c ir c u m s t a n c e s m a y y et t r an s figu r e th e ir w oe s int o
,

gl o ri e s a n d f o rg e th e ir c h ar a c t e r o ut o f c a l am ity
, .
’

C E B e nh am p a r a phra s es : if h e r e p eat s in h is own

. .
‘

n a tur e t h e w o r k o f e v o luti o n whi c h pr o du c e d h im o r if h e ,

s o liv e s c o mb ating p a in a n d tr o ubl e a s t o pr o v e th a t h is

li f e is n ot unwilling t o b e s ubli m e d T hi s is n ea r e r t o t h e .
’

t ex t but s urr e nd e r s in t h e l a s t thre e s t a nz a s th e a n a l ogy

,

with th e w ork of ti me whi c h s e e m s t o b e t h e m ain s ubj e c t’

o f t h e s ec ti o n .

f r o m m or e t o m o r e c f XLIV 2
‘ ’
17 . . . .

18 . Cf . LXIX .

2 1 .
‘
ce ntra l gl oom ’
: cf . C XXIV . 2 3, 2 4 .

24 . Cf . XCV .
42 .

5 8 C f C XX 1 1 , Epil ogu e , 1 3 3 , The M a hing

2 - . . . of M an ,

The D a w n , By a n E v ol ut ion is t, The A n cien t S age (t o w ard s

the en d ) .

2 5 .
‘
us e
’
eg . . th e u se o f t h e nd s of 7 e
’
.

n s u a l f e as t : o c c ur s in Sh ak es p ea r e So nn e t
‘ ’
26 . se ,
14 1 .

2 8 .
‘
d ie : li k e t h e
’ ‘
f or m s o f 1 0 ’
.

CX I X .

V isiting g a in t h e str e e t i n whi c h h is fri e nd

a

liv e d h e ,
r e m e m b e rs him h a ppily a n d with s c a r c e ‘

’
a sigh .

T h e s e c tion for m s a b e a utiful c ontr a st to V I L ,

whi c h is re c a ll e d not onl y by obvious r e p e titions

li k e thos e of l in e s I a n d 1 2 bu t by a nu mb e r of ,

littl e e c ho e s su c h a s on c e m ore Sl ee ps str e e t

, ,
’ ‘

,
’

,
’ ’
‘
long e a rly , .
2 16 In M e m o r iam S E CTION S

Lin e 8 point s to a l a t e d a t e of c o m position .

4 . Ga ttyund e r s t a nd s a r e f e r e n c e t o c ountry c a rt s bringing

h ay c l o v e r e t c
,
int o Lo ndon P e rh ap s t h e m ea ning is
,
.
,
.

r ath e r th a t th e s il e n c e th e c hirping a n d th e light blu e l a n e

, ,
-

s o r e m ind h im o f t h e c o untry th a t h e seem s t o s m e ll t h e

‘

m ea d o w in th e s tr ee t An d a ga in it is p o s s ibl e a s I a m
.
’
, , ,

t old by a c o rr e s p ond e nt th a t t h e p oe t m ay a c tu ally h ave ,

c a ught a t d ay br e ak in Lo nd o n t h e s mell o f n e wly m o wn

- -

gra s s waf t e d f ro m m il e s a wa y But I f a n c y th a t if T e nny s on .

,

h ad e v e r h a d thi s e x p e ri e n c e h e w o uld h a v e a llud e d to it ,

mor e f ully o r m o r e th a n o n c e .

e a rly : t h e r e p e titi o n of t h e w ord Is n o d o ubt

‘ ’
7 8,
.
, ,

int enti on al .

C XX .

po e m now b e c o m e s m a inly r e trospe c tive

Th e .

H e r e turns to t h e th o ughts of C XV I I I but a lso .

, ,

owing to t h e int e rv e ntion of C X I X r e c urs to his .

,

own spiritu a l strife a n d to t h e id e a s e x pre ss e d

‘
,
’

in v arious pa rts of t h e po e m re g a rding t h e d e stiny

of m a n ( s e e e g XX XI V a n d . . .

3 m a gn e ti c : c f C XXV I 5
.
‘ ’
. . .

T h e m e nti o n b eas t s in ti on
‘
of
’
4 . 1 Cor . xv .
32 . a s ec

whi c h o pp os e s m an to
‘
th e gr eat e r a pe
’
s e ems to c o n f u se

s om e r ea d e r s .

7 . Cf . wh e re h e a sk s wh a t al l t h e s c i e n c e s a r e
Vas tn es s ,
worth if th e r e is n o thing b ey ond d eath Th e id ea is n o t a s .
,

som e r ea d e r s s upp o s e a t fir s t th a t s c i e n c e in pr o ving u s t o ,

b e m achin e s w o uld pr o v e u s t o b e s om e thing th a t c o uld n o t

pr odu c e s c i e n c e .

8 Cf XXXIV 9 fl an d Epil o gu e t o Tir es ias

'

. . . .

W h a t li f e s o m a im d by night we r e worth ,
’
,

O ur living ou t ? Not m in e t o m e .

Fo r a n e m ph ati c as s e rti on of T e nny s on s t o s o m e wh a t t h e ’

s ame eff e c t s e e Nin eteen th Cen t u ry J an 1 8 9 3 p 1 69 ,

.
,
. .
2 18 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

t r w hi c h pr ece d e s t h e s u n a n d s ee s t h e d awn of
s a ,

light a n d life T h e y a r e t h e s a me pl a n e t of Lov e

.

( M a ud ) whi c h do e s but
,
C h a ng e its pl ace A n d .

’
so t h e po e t s p a st a n d pr e s e nt a r e i n subst an ce
o n e thing ( Lov e ) whi c h h a s m e r e ly C h a ng e d its ,

pl ac e in b ec o m ing pre s e nt inst e a d of p a st C f . .

C XXV I I . .

Th e po e m m ight w e ll h a ve b e e n pro m pt e d by
t h e c ontr a s t of C X I X with V I I Th e id e a a s is . .
,

obs e rve d i n t h e Templ e Clas s ics e dition may h a ve ,

b ee n sugge st e d by t h e e pigra m a ttribut e d to

’
Pl a to a n d tr an sl a te d by Sh e ll e y AO 1 r7p wpiu n eer ’ ’
- ~

C f P a r a diso V I I I 1 2 a n d C a ry s
’
é h a uwes e t c
’
. . .
, , ,

not e .

For t he d a t e s e e I n trod uction p 1 6 ,

. .

1 . Cf . LXXXIX .
4 7, 4 8 .

5 . wa in ’
in s om e e diti o n s Wa in ,
’
a m e r e m i s print .

9 . Cf . 1X . 1 0, 1 1 .

11 wak ef ul bird : c f P a r Los t I II 3 8

.
‘ ’
. .
, . .

12 gr e a t e r light : c f Gen es is i 1 6
.
‘ ’
.
,
. .

18 wha t is o n e : Lov e T h e n ex t w o rd s m ay b e
.
‘ ’
.
_

int end e d t o r ec a ll I a m Alph a a n d O m e ga th e fir s t an d

,
‘
,

th e l as t R ev i 1 1
’
. . .
,

19 li k e my pr es e nt : wh o ar t li k e e t c Gatty t ake s
.
‘ ’ ‘
,
’
.

t h e p oe t s s a d pr e s e nt t o c o rr e s p o nd t o t h e ti m e o f H e s p e r
’

a n d h is h a ppy y o uth f ul p a s t t o c o rr e s p ond t o t h e ti m e o f

P h os ph or But c o n s id ering th e t on e of thi s p a rt of I n

.
,

M em or ia m it s e e m s quit e c e rt a in th a t t h e p o e t is r eg a rding
,

th e p as t a s s a d a n d t h e pr e s e nt as bright [It is n ot .
,

h o we v e r n ecess a ry t o s upp os e th a t th e p o e t ask e d hi m s e l f

,

t o whi c h p a rt o f h is li f e H e s p e r a n s w e r e d a n d t o whi c h ,

Ph os ph o r ] .
C XXI CXXI I
.
,
. C o m m en t a r y

C XX I I .

T h e po e t c a lls u pon t h e soul of his fri e nd to

vi s it him a ga in .

T his s e c tion ra is e s p e rpl e x ing a n d prob a bly

u n a nsw e ra bl e qu e stions ( I ) T h e poe t r e fe rs to .

so m e for m e r o c c a sion wh e n h is fri e n d a pp e a r e d to

b e with h im W h a t i s this o c c a sion ? ( 2 ) I n
.

r e fe rring to it h e sp e a k s of a ti me or o c c a sion
,
’ ‘
still e a rli e r a g a in on c e ,
W h a t is thi s
e a rli e r ti m e ?

I t is e a sy a n d c onv e n i e nt to a n swe r th a t th e s e
two o cc a sion s h av e n ot b ee n m e ntion e d in t h e
po e m : an d of c ours e this m ay b e tru e But
'

it is su re ly un li k e ly th a t t h e first of th e m a t an y ,

ra t e would b e Spo k e n of as it is in this s ec tion

, ,

u nl e ss t h e r e a d e r h a d h ea rd of it b e fore .

I t is c on c e iv a bl e a g a in th a t t h e r e fe r e n c e is
, ,

not to an y p a rti c ul a r o c c a sion s but ( 1 ) to t h e ,

unh a ppy ti m e a ft e r H a ll a m s d e a th a n d ( 2 ) to ’
,

t h e po e t s youth b e for e th a t c a l a m ity

’
B ut t h e .

l a ngu age in lin e s 1 2 9 1 0 1 5 s ee m s to c onv e y

, , , , ,

a l m ost irre sistibly t h e i m pr e ssion th at a t a n r a t

y e , ,

o n e sp e c ifi c o c c a sion is i n t h e po e t s m ind an d it
’

s ee m s stran ge th at i mme di a t e ly a ft e r C XX I t h e
,
.
,

po e t Should writ e as i f h e w e r e l e ss c ons c iou s of

’
his fri e nd s pre s e n c e now th a n h e wa s i n t h e y e a rs
of p a i n .I a ssu m e th e r e fore th a t th e s e lin e s
, ,

r e fer to on e p a rti c ul a r ti m e a n d p a ss to t he ,

qu e sti o ns ra is e d .

( )
1 Th e obvious a nsw e r t o t h e first of th em

is th a t t h e po e t r e fe rs to t h e group of s e c tions
220 In M e m o r ia m SE C TION

X C - X CV
. .
,
an d
p a rti c ul a rly t o t h e tra n c e of X C V .

( s o Ge nung a n d C E B e nh
. a m ) For. th e r e h e .

c a ll e d o n his fri e nd to c o m e a n d his fri e nd d id ,

s e e m to b e with h im so th a t t h e gr av e did not

,

divid e th e m ; h e did d e s c e nd a n d tou c h a n d ‘

’
e nt e r ( c f 1 1 with
. X C I I I an d th e r e
. upon t h e

p o e t did s e e m to p e r c e iv e t h e a gr e e m e nt of t h e

m o tions of t h e world s with la w ( C f 7 8 with X C V .

,
.

3 9 4 3 a n d i m a gin a ti o n in 6 with i m a gin a tion

‘ ‘
-
,

in X C I V 1 0 a n d thought in X C V
.
,
‘
Cf al s o . .

1 5 1 6 with X C V
, 3 6 6 3. But th e
,
r e is a .di lf i
c ulty ; for though t h e first e l e v e n lin e s of t h e
pre s e nt s e ction a t on c e re c a l l t h e tr a n c e o f X CV
5) s e e m s s c a r c e ly a ppro
’
t h e p hr a s e pl a c id a w e
prl a t e to it a n d t h e l a st n in e lin e s ( in spit e of t h e
,

r e s e mbl a n c e s in 1 5 1 6 ) s e e m so in a ppropri a te
, ,

and d e s c ri ptive of a n e x p e ri e n c e so m u c h l e s s
s ol e m n th a t o n e h e sit a t e s to id e ntify th e tr a n c e
,

of X CV with t h e o c c a s ion a llud e d to

. .

I s th e r e th e n an y oth e r s e c tion whi c h c a n b e

t a k e n to d e a l with th a t o c c asion I t s ee m s to m e
th a t t h e l a s t nin e lin e s r e c a ll LXXXV I a l m ost a s .

strongly a s t h e first e l e ve n r ec a ll X CV A n d wh e n .

w e e x a m in e LXXXV I w e fi nd b e s id e this g e n e ra l
.
,

r e s e m bl a n ce s o me c urious Si m il a r iti e s o f word

,

a n d phr a s e C f e g lin e 1 1 with LXXXV I 8

. . . . .
,

f a n my brows
’ ’
full e r ( 1 2 ) with t h e full
‘ ‘

’
n e w life ;
’
fa n c y ( 1 7 ) with l e t t h e fa n c y fly ; ‘

t h e c oll o ca tion of gloo m a n d b a re t h e e t e rn a l ’ ‘

H e a v e ns with l in e s 2 5 of LXXXV I ; t h e dis

’
-
.

miss a l of thoughts of life a n d d e a th ( 1 6 ) with t h e

222 In M e m o r ia m SE CTION

( ) W
2 h a t th e n is t h e ti me or o c ca sion prior to ,

the
’
tra n c e of X C V th a t is re fe rr e d to in aga in
.
‘

an d on c e m ore ( 4
‘
A t first sight it is ,

obvious to r e ply : it is t h e o c ca sion d e s c rib e d i n

’
LXXXV I t h e po e t s fe e lings on th a t o cc a sion
.
,

b e ing ex hypothes i not unli k e thos e of t h e tr a n c e

an d h e re w e h av e t he full e x pl a n a tion of t h e
r e s e m bl a n c e of p a rts of C XX I I to LXXXV I 1
Th e . .

a lt e rn a tiv e is to suppos e th a t i n a g a in an d on c e
,
m ore
’
h e is thin k i ng of his youth b e for e his
fri e nd s d eath A n d on t h e wh o l e this s ee m s to
’
.

m e t h e li k e li e r int e rpr e t a tion I t suits t h e s tr a ng e .

’
phras e li k e an in c onsid e ra t e boy a n d i f t h e
,
‘
, ,

e x pr e ssions i n lin e s 58 s e e m too strong for a

d e s c ription of a st a t e suppo s e d to b e h abitu a l i n
t h e po e t s youth w e m ay r e m e m b e r th a t h e w a s a
’

po e t a n d wh a t h e s ays in Th e P oet
He thro li f e an d d eath thro g oo d
s aw
’
,
’
an d ill ,

H e saw thr o h is o wn s oul ’

,

T h e m a rv e l o f t h e e v e rl a s ting will ,

An o p e n s c r oll ,

B e f o r e h im l ay .

I do not profe ss to fee l m u c h c onfid e n ce i n

th e s e sp ec ul a tions but t h e r e a d e r who thin k s th e m
,

n e e dl e ss will r e m e m b e r th a t h e h a s stil l to e x pl a in
t h e a pp a r e nt i n c ongruity of t h e two p arts of t h e
s e c ti o n .

1
O nem i gh t even go f urth r n d sugges t th t in th e s ec nd h al f
e a a o

of C X X II t h e p oe t is a ctu lly r f rring t LXXXV I th e f rm r ‘

. a e e o .
, o e

fl h
as ofj ( 1 5) m e aning th e o n e t
oy
’
h t p d d h ti m wh n h
a r ece e t e e e e

rose up against h is do o m ( 2 ) s o t h t h fir t h l f f h cti n

a t e s a o t e se o

would a ll ude t o X C V .
,
an d t h e se oc nd h l f X V B I
a to L X X I . ut

cann o t b e li eve t h i s .
cxx II . C o m m en t a r y

h
[ e
T bov e is r e print e d with a f e w c h a nge s fro m
a

t h e fi rst e dition but I fe e l e v e n l e s s c onfid e n c e i n

,

i t th a n b e fore I h ad n e v e r doubt e d fro m t h e

.
,

ti m e wh e n I first r e a d t h e s e c tion th a t it r e fe rr e d ,

to t he o c c a sion of X C X C V a n d p a rtly no doubt

.
-
.
, ,

for this r e a son I c ou ld n ot b e li e v e th a t it r e fe rs to

no Sp e c ifi c o c c a sion B ut now th a t I h av e b e c o me
.

a c c usto me d to t h e id ea m e ntion e d a bov e a n d h e ld ,

by M r B e e c hing a n d M r F e r ra l l th a t t h e po e t i s
. .
,

sp e ak ing of t h e ti m e of distr e ss an d struggl e a ft e r

H a ll a m s d e ath a n d th a t i n a ga in a n d on ce
’

,
‘ ’ ‘

m ore h e r e fe rs to his youth b e fore H a ll a m s

’

d e ath it n o long e r s e e m s to m e on t h e whol e

, , ,

u nn a tu ra l An d it i s strongly support e d I thin k

.
, ,

by t h e j u x t a position of this s e c tion an d its pr e d e

c e ssor .T h a t s ays Lov e w a s with m e in t h e y e a rs
,

of gloo m a n d is with m e n ow i n t h e re viv a l of

,

j oy this s ays If you w e r e with m e in t h e y ea rs

,

of gloo m b e with m e now i n t he r e viv a l o f j oy

, .
’

O n t he oth e r h and I still fe e l t h e ol d obj e c tions

,

to this vi e w (a ) it do e s not e x pl a i n t h e in c ongruity

b e tw e e n t h e l a ngu a ge of 5 8 a n d t h e l a ngu a g e of -

1 3 2 0 whi c h a r e suppos e d to d e s c rib e t h e e x pe r i

—
,

e n c e of o n e a n d t h e s a m e p e riod a n d b) I c a n not
(
bring mys e l f to b el i e v e as it re quir e s th at t h e , ,

for m e r fl a sh of joy m e a ns a p e riod of y e a rs e v e n ,

wh e n I r e m e mb e r th a t this p e riod is p e rh a ps
loo ke d b ac k to ov e r t e n or fi ft e e n y e a rs of s a dn e ss .

But a sugge stion h a s b ee n m a d e to m e whi c h a t a n y ,

r at e go e s f ar to r e m ov e th e s e di f fi c ulti e s (a ) I n .

th e e a rli e r a n d l a t e r p a rts of t h e s ec ti o n t h e po e t
224 In M e m or iam SE CTION

is r e fe rring to two d istin c t moods whi c h h e k n e w

in t h e ti m e b e for e H a ll a m s d e a th o n e mood a ’
—

m ore int e ll e c tu a l in whi c h h e s a w t h e u n c loud e d

,

H e a v e ns of l a w a n d ord e r ; a noth e r i n whi c h h e ,

fe lt t h e j oy of life an d s e ns e an d of t he pl ay of ,

fa n c y A n d h e s ays to his fri e nd A S you w e re

.
,
‘

with m e i n m y e ff ort to r e g a in t h e first so b e wi t h ,

m e in t h e r e turn of t h e s e c ond an d h a llow it too

’
,
.

m
’

( )
b Th e for e r fl a sh of joy is n o t a d e s c ription o f
t he po e t s youth
’
it m ea ns t h e joy th a t I us e d to
, .

k now i n for m e r y e a r s ’
fl a sh of j oy b e ing us e d
,
‘ ’

ge n e ri c a lly T h e s e sugge sti o ns give a n in t e r pre

.

t a t io n of t h e s e c tion whi c h s e e m s to m e mor e

a c c e pt a bl e th a n th a t to whi c h I h a d found mys e lf

d riv e n .

But i n rec onsid e ring thi s m att e r I h av e b ec o me

m or e fully S a tisfi e d of t h e truth of t h e id e a th a t
t h e e x p e ri e n c e s d e s c rib e d i n LXXXV I a n d XC V a r e . .

n e a r e r a k in th a n a pp e a rs at fir s t sight A n d in .

support of this id e a I m ay c a ll a tt e ntion to so m e

fu rth e r s i m il a riti e s without di s c u s s ing th e ir b ea r
,

ing on t h e int e rpr e t a tion of C XX I I (a ) T h o ugh .

t h e firs t p a rt of C XX I I r e m ind s o n e c hi e fly of X C V
. .
,

an d t h e s e c ond c hi e fly of LXXXV I y e t two of t h e .

,

stri k ing r e s e m bl a n c e s a lre ady noti c e d a r e b e tw e e n

lin e s i n X C V a n d in t h e s econ d h a l f of C XX I I an d
. .
,

be twe e n lin e s in LXXXV I a n d in t h e fi r s t h a lf o f

.

CXX I I . N o t e a lso (b) th e me e ting o f E as t a n d

W e st c o m m o n to t h e fin a l s t a nz a s both of
,

LXXXV I a n d of X CV ; ( c) t h e a gr e e m e nt of t he
. .

l a s t lin e o f LXXXV I with t h e in s ist e n c e on pea ce i n

.
226 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

d a wn in whi c h t he lights of E a st a n d W e st
m ingl e Th e re sult m ust sure ly b e a c onvi c tion
.

th a t in ma ny p a ss a ge s wh e r e T e nnyson sp ea k s of
d a wn an d su ns e t with th e ir lights c olours odour s , , , ,

bre e z e s winds s e tting st ars rising st ars ( c f CV

, , , . .

e n d) w e fa il to i m agin e a s h e i m a gin e d i f w e do
, ,

n o t c a t c h t h e m ysti c ton e in his voi c e th a t ton e —

whi c h c a nnot fa il to b e h e a rd in m a ny of his

r e fe re n c e s to riv e rs t h e d ee p s e a m ount a in r a nge s , , ,

wh e r e i nd ee d his i ma ge s oft e n b e c o m e c ons c iously f

sy m boli c ]
1 . pun c tu ati on is right w as t
If th e if th ou w e rt ,
’

in 9 If a qu e s ti o n is int e nde d the r e s h ould b e a n ot e o f

.
,

int err oga ti o n a t th e e n d of 8 Th e r e is n othing unli k e ly in .

th e o m i s s i o n o f thi s n o t e ( s e e o n but p erh ap s th e

fir s t int e rpr e t ati o n is t h e m o r e prob abl e .

2 . m y d o om o f gri e f C f LXXI I 6 ’
. . . .

3.
y e a rn d fir s t e d s tr o v e
’ ’
. .
’

4 . Cf . 11 1 . 6 .

13 2 0 . Cf . C XVI . 1 -8 .

15 .
‘
fl h
as
’
: cf . X CV 36 . .

s lip : giv e f ree r e in but di s m i s s pe

’ ‘
16
‘ ’ ‘
. n ot t o, ,
e s ca

f rom .
’

17 . Cf . th e o e p ning lin e s of R ecol l ection s f

o the A r a bia n

18 . pri s mati c c ol our s in a ll th e d e w dro p s

He s ee s -
.

1 9 T h e r e f e re n c e
. m a y p o s s ibly b e t o t h e Aur o r a
B or eali s n ot t o an e x c e pti on a l a pp ea ra n c e h e ight e n e d by
, ,

f a n c y of lightning in t h e o rdin a ry s e n se
, .

C XX I I I .

Th e tra n s itorin e s s o f N a tur e s fo r m s sh a ll not

’

sh a k e h is fa ith i n i m m ort a lity a n d r e u ni o n

’
-
.
C XXII C XXII I
.
,
. C o m m en t a r y 227

Asin C XV I I I an d C XX he re c urs to t h e thoughts

. .
,

whi c h o c c u pi e d him wh e n h e fought with d e a th .

’

C f LV I a n d with 4 8 c f XXXV 1 0 1 2
. .
,
-
. .
-
.

T hi s is o n e of m a ny p a ss a g e s i n T e nnyson
whi c h t e sti fy to t h e g rea t e f fec t u pon h im of t h e
study of ge ology C f t h e fin e l in e s in t h e Ode on
. .

th e D ea th of the D u h e of Wel l ington

Fo r th o t h e G i a nt Ag e s h eav e t h e hill
’

An d br e ak th e s h o r e an d e v e rm or e ,

M ak e an d br e ak an d w o rk th e ir will ; ,

Th o w o rld on w o rld in m yri a d m yri a d s r oll

’

R ound u s e ac h with di ff e r e nt p o w e r s
, ,

An d o th e r f o rm s o f li f e th a n o ur s ,

Wh at k n o w w e gre at e r th an th e s o ul ?

“
For t he d ate s ee p . I 5 .

1- 8 . GAC
. p a re s job x iv 1 1 1 8 1 9 : T h e w a t e r s
. . c om ,
.
, ,

f a il f rom th e s ea a nd th e fl ood d e ca y e th an d d r y e th up
, .

Th e m ount a in f a lling c om e th t o n o ught an d t h e ,

r oc k is r e m ov e d o ut of his pl ac e : t h e wa t e r s w ear th e
s ton e s th o u was h e s t a wa y t h e thing s whi c h gro w o ut o f th e
du s t of th e ea rth ” an d 2 H e n ry I V 111 i 4 5 . . .

O God " th a t on e m ight r ea d t h e b ook of f a t e ,

An d s e e t h e r e v o luti o n Of t h e ti m es
M ak e m o unt a in s l e v el an d th e c o ntin e nt , ,

Wea ry o f solid fir m n e s s me lt it s e l f ,

I nt o th e s ea ; an d o th e r ti m e s t o s e e , ,

Th e b ea c hy girdl e of th e O c ea n
T oo wid e f or N e ptun e s hip s " ’

W ith whi c h cf . So n n et 64 .

5, 6 . n othing s t a nd s Cf d p i obdé
fl OW ,
’ ’
. v vr a s , v

9 . my s pirit whi c h t e s tifi e s t o p e r m a n e n ce

’
.

I I, 12 C o ntras t LVI I l as t s t a nz a
. .
,
.
22 8 In M em or ia m SE CTIONS

C XX I V .

Inthis gr e a t po e m h e still thin k s of t h e

spiritu a l c onfli c t of t h e p a st .

T h a t N a m e l e ss to whi c h w e c a ll divin e d
‘
,

e v e rywh e r e but not to b e un d e rstood wh e re did I ,

find h im ? N ot in e vid e n c e s d ra wn fro m N a ture ,

nor in qu e stions whi c h th e i nt e ll e c t ra is e s an d

s ee k s to a nsw e r ; but wh e n t h e h ea rt fe lt a n d
c ri e d upon h im l i k e a c hild I b e h e ld h im an d s a w ,

th a t through N a tur e h e m ould s man .

’

O n th e id ea s us ed h e re s e e I ntrodu c tion pp 54 ,
.

foll .

2 . nt ext s ee ms to Sh o w th a t th e mea ning is

Th e co ,

P re se nt ali k e in our d e are s t f a ith a n d o ur gh as tli e s t d oubt ,

’

ra th e r th a n m e re ly Ob iec t ali k e of b o th C f X C VI
, .
’
. .

3 T h a t N a m e l e s s of whi c h we thin k a s on e p er s o n a n d as
.

m o r e th a n o n e a s t h e unity in all thing s an d a s a l l things

,

t o g e th e r Cf A hba r s D r ea m
. .
’

th a t I nfinit e
W ithin us as with out th a t All ln all , ,
- -
,

An d o v e r all t h e n e v e r c h a n ging O n e ,
-

An d e v e r c h anging M a ny
“
- .

W ith T h e y c f D e P r of u n dis : T h ey said Let us m ak e

‘ ’
.
‘

m an but th ere th e y is pre s u mably a r ef e r en c e t o t h e

‘ ’

plur al in Gen 1 2 6 . . .

5 8 A s th e s t a nz a is of t e n m i s und er s t ood it s h o uld b e

-
.
,

o b s e rv e d th a t t h e p oe t d o e s n o t s ay th a t H e is n o t t o b e

f o und in N a tur e o r in th ought but th a t it was n ot th e re th a t ,

th e p o e t f o und H im Af ter H e is f ound e l se wh e re H e is s een

.

a l s o in N ature (s ee l as t s t a nz a ) ; an d s o too our littl e ‘

s y s t em s ar e s ee n t o b e br ok e n light s of H im ( P rol ogu e)

‘ ’

j u s t a s N a ture h al f c on c eal s an d h al f re ve al s t h e Soul

‘
.

within ( v 3 .
,
2 30 In M e m or ia m SE CTIONS

I . id in c o nv e r s a ti o n with f ri e nd s ( C E
sa
’
. .

2 . O n e n a tur a lly t ak e s thi s t o b e th e pr i n c i p a l c l a u s e o f

a s ent e n c e ; wh e n lin e 5 will b e th e prin c ipa l c l au s e o f
a n o th e r s e nt e n c e But if thi s we r e s o it s e e m s a l mo s t
.
, ,

i m p os s ibl e th a t t h e s e c o nd s ent e n c e c ould b egin with Ye a ,

th o
” a n d I c a nn o t h e lp thin k ing th a t t h e fir s t fi ve lin e s

f o r m o nly o n e s e nt e n c e of whi c h lin e 5 is t h e prin c ipa l ,

c l aus e I n th a t c a se lin e 2 m ay b e a p a r e nth e s i s e xpl a ining

.

lin e 1 o r it m a y p o s s ibly b e an ungr a m ma ti c al w ay o f s a y

,

ing Wh a t e ve r bitt e r n o t e s m y h arp m ight giv e whi ch

,
‘
,
’ ‘ ’

be ing und e rs t oo d af t e r n o t es .
’

7 . Cf . XLVI II .
7 9 -
.

e tc . : pl ay e d g ra c e f ully with li es P e rh a p s
‘
.
’

t he id ea th a t h is f ri e nd h a d f o rg o tt e n h im m ight b e an
e x a m pl e .

1 3 1 4 C f C I II
,
. . .

e l e c tri c c f C XX
‘ ’
15 . . .
3 .

C XXV I .

is his King H e wa its in Love s c ourt

Lov e .
’

on e a rth a n d his fri e nd is e ls e wh e re ; but fro m

,

en d to e n d of Lov e s k ingdo m whi c h is t h e ’

,

univ e rs e p a ss m e ss age s a n d a ssura n ce s th a t a ll

,
’
is w e ll .

1 . C XXV 1 2
Cf . . .

3 4 , C f H e.rb e rt H oly Co .m m u n ion ,

W hil e th os e t o s pirit s r e fin e d a t d oo r att e n d ,

D e s p at c h es f r om th e ir f ri e nd .

10 1 2 -Fir s t e d .

T h a t m o ve s a b o ut f r o m pl a ce t o pl ac e ,

An d whi s p e r s t o t h e va s t of s p ac e
Among th e w o rld s th a t al l is w ell ,
.
cx x v C XXVI I
.
-
. C o m m en t a r y

C XXV I I .

All is w e l lve n on e a rth though t h e for m s of

e ,

fa ith a n d t h e s o c i a l ord e r m a y p e ri s h i n t h e c on
vu l s ion i n whi c h o n e a ge e nds an d a noth e r a n d
’
be tt e r b e gins .

Th e first word s an d t h e l ast lin e s of t h e s e c tion

, ,
’
l in k it to its pr e d e c e s s or A l l is w e ll is thu s .
‘

’
e quiv a l e nt to Lov e i s Lord e ve n i n t h e c o n ,

v u ls io n s of hu m a n progr e ss whi c h l ea d onw a rd s ,

’ ’
to th a t gr e at ra c e of whi c h t h e po e t s fri e nd w as
a typ e .

O n this se c tion s ee p 8 an d C f Love thou thy .

,
.

l a n d ( writt e n by 1 8 3 4 M em oir I 1 4 1 ) , ,
.

For p as t o f T i m e r e v e al s
a ll t h e

A brid al d a wn o f thund e r p ea l s -
,

W h e re ve r T h ought h a th w e d de d F a c t .

Ev n ’
n ow h ea r with i nwar d s tri f e
we
A m o ti o n t oi ling i n th e gl oo m
T h e Spirit o f t h e y e a r s t o c om e
Yea rning t o m ix hi ms e l f wi t h Li f e .

at 11

If Ne w an d di s as tr ou s f e u d
O l d, ,

M u s t e v e r s h oc k li k e a rm e d f oe s
, ,

An d thi s b e tru e till T i m e Sh a ll c l o se

, ,

T h a t P rin c ipl e s a r e r a in d i n bl ood ’

.

For the d a t e of t h e s e c tion s ee p . I 3 .

1 .
‘
f a ith an d f or m ’
: cf . XXXI I I 3 , 4 ( wh e r e t h e r e f e re n ce ,
.

h o we v e r is t o r eligi o u s f a ith
, a n d f or m s a l o n e) T h e f orm s .

i n whi c h f a ith h ad e mb o di e d h e r s e lf a r e d es e rt e d by h er
a n d b e c om e m e r e s i m ul ac r a ( to u s e a f a vo urit e word of
‘ ’

C arlyl e wh o s e writing s ar e r ec a ll e d by thi s s ect i on ) C f

, . .
2 32 In M e m o r ia m SE C TIONS

Th e A n cien t Sage, An d c ling t o F a ith b ey o nd th e f o rm s of

F a ith ,
’
etc .

7, 8 . C IX I 6 H a n ds A l l R ou n d in M em oir I 3 46 ; an d
Cf . .
,
.

th e s p e ak e r in Lochs ley H a ll S ix ty Yea r s Af ter :

Fran c e h ad s h own a light t o a ll m en pr eac h d a G o s pel ,

’
,

all m e n s g oo d
’

C elti c D e mos ro se a D em o n s h r iek d an d s l ak e d th e ,

’

light with bl oo d .

T h e pr e s e nt lin e s pro b a bly r e f e r t o th e T hree gl o riou s ‘

D ay s o f J uly 1 8 30 whi c h l ed to th e di s app ear a n c e o f

,
’
,

C h arl es X .

9 if ill f or h im : fir s t e d
.
‘
wo e t o h im
’
But it is n ot s o .
‘
.
’ ‘

with th os e wh os e h eart s ar e s et me r e ly on t emp o ral gl o ry or ,

wh o a r e s piritually di s ea se d a n d d e s titut e ( C E ’
or . .

p e rh ap s th e k ing s an d di seas ed b egga r s m ay b e t ak e n t o

s t an d f or th o s e a t t h e t op an d b ott om o f t h e s oc i a l s c a l e
, ,

wh o f rom b e ing c o n s id e r e d u s el e s s t o s oc i e ty ar e li k e ly t o
, ,

s u f f e r in t h e p e ri o d o f c o nvul s i o n h e r e i m a gin e d .

W ith thi s p as sag e c f C XII I 1 3 2 0 an d a l e tt e r on th e . .

-
,

d ar kn e s s of th e ti m es 1 8 3 2 ( M em oir I ,
T h ere ar e , .

som e s i m il a r lin es in Th e P r in ces s IV ,

But tri m our s a il s an d l et o ld byg o n e s b e , ,

W hil e d o wn th e s tream s th a t fl oat us eac h an d all

T o t h e i s s u e goes li k e glitt e ring b erg s of ic e
, , ,

T hr o n e af t e r thr o n e an d m olt e n on t h e w a s t e ,

B ec omes a c l oud : f or all thing s s e rv e th e ir ti m e

T o w a rd th a t gr ea t y ea r of e qu a l m ight s a n d right s .

( T hi s gr ea t‘
y e a r is o f c o ur se n o t
’
t h e gr e a t { Eon o f 16
‘ ’
,

but th e c l o s ing c yc l e of C V ’
.

T h e c r a g s a r e a pp a r e ntly m ount a in t op s
‘ ’ ‘
11 12 . Su s , ,
-
,

t aining s pire s o f ic e Cf P r om Un b 11 iii

’
. . . . .

An d f ar on high th e k ee n S k y c l ea ving m o unt a in s -

From ic y s pir e s of s unlik e ra di an c e fling

T h e d a wn ,
’

a nd th e a ppli c a ti o n in t h e lin e s th a t f oll o w .

234 In M e m o r ia m SE CTIONS

8 f Ye t. th e re is pr ogr e s s n o t a m e re r e p e titi on o f old

,

r e s ult s tha t o nly l ook li k e n e w ; s u c h r ep e titi on as is

d e s c rib e d in 1 3 if .

14 .gl o ri ou s li e s : C ollin s qu o t es th e phras e f rom C r a

‘ ’

Sh a w To M istr es s M R P e rh a p s H o rac e s s pl e ndid e

,
. .
’ ‘

m e n da x w a s in t h e p o e t s m ind
’ ’
.

1 6 W hil e pr e t e nding t o pr o du c e a n e w i d e a
. .

1 7 Whil e pr e t e nding t o a b o li s h it
. .

1 8 H e n a rr o w s hi m s e l f but di sc o v e r s n o thing n e w
.
, .

1 9 2 0 A dditi on s whi c h bring n o li f e int o wh a t is d e a d

,
. .

B a r e n e s s w as m i s print e d ba s e n e ss in firs t e d
‘ ’
.

e v e n t h e e ddi es o f 5 an d t h e d e g e n e r a ti o n s o f 7
’
23 a ll
. .

2 4 . Cf . Tw o Voices

He s ee m s h ea r a H eav enly Fri e n d

to ,

An d thr o thi c k v e il s t o a ppr eh e nd

’

A l ab our w o rk ing t o a n e n d .

SEC T I O NS C XX I X . A ND C XXX .

H is fri e nd h as b e c o me to him so m i ngl e d wi t h

all th a t he
lov e s a n d w o rships i n t h e unive rs e
th a t h e no longe r k nows how to i m a gin e him ,

y e t only lov e s h im t h e m or e a n d is t h e m or e

c e rt a in th a t h e c an n e v e r los e h im .

T h e s e b e a utiful po e m s ar e a l m ost on e but t h e

position of t h e for me r j ust a ft e r CXXV I I a n d ,
.

C XXV I II s e e ms to Show th a t t h e dr ea m of good

in whi c h h e m ingl e s a l l t h e world with h is fri e nd ,

is a dr e a m of t h e futur e of m an whil e CXXX ,

.

re fe rs mor e sp e c i a lly to t h e m ingling of t h e fri e nd

with N a ture .

S in c e to t h e po e t N a ture a n d t h e hu ma n ity of
C XXVIII C XXX .
-
. C om m e n t a r y 2 35

t he future r e ve a l I m m ort a l Lov e ,

w e m ay o m p a re
c

t he two po e m s with t h e lin e s in the P rologu e

‘

I tru s t h e liv es in th ee a n d th e r e ,

I find h im w orthi e r t o b e l o v e d .

B ut m u c h of t h e b e a uty of th e s e s ec tions l i e s i n
t he e x pre ssion of an int e ns e a ff e c tion whi c h h a s
only b e c o me d ee p e r as its obj ec t h as b e c o m e
d a r k li e r und e rstood C f I ntrodu c tion pp 4 7 4 8 . .
,
.
,
.

C XX I X .

For the stru c ture s e e n ote on XIV .

T hi s w a s
n c e t h e on e thing h e c ould n o t
‘
1 . f ar off .
’
o

f o rg i v e ( c f e g LXXXI I ) . d es ir e : obj e c t o f d es ir e C f
. . .
‘ ’
. .

C atullu s II 5 On u m d e s id e ri o m eo nit e nti of Les bi a

, .
, ,
’
.

3 , 4 O l
. o v‘
e d t h e m os t e t c : an d s o l o v e d m os t wh e n ’
,
.

f e lt t o b e n e a r es t t o t h e high e s t C f 1 0 a n d C XXX 1 0 1 2 . . .
-
.

5 . K n ‘
o wn c o rr es p o nd s t o
’
hu m a n un k n o wn t o
‘
,
’ ‘ ’

divin e D ivin e
.
’
b ec au s e m ix d with God or living in
’ ’
,
’ ‘

Go d ( Epil ogu e
’
th e I m m o rt a l Lo v e ( whi c h o n its
,
‘ ’

p art is hu ma n as w e ll as divin e P r o l ogu e , ,

7 th a t c a n s t n o t d ie
.
‘
li k e h and an d l ips an d ey e ’ ‘
.
’

Stra ng e c f XLI 5 C XXX 5 T hi s w a s pr e p a r e d f or i n

’
9 . . .
,
. .

C VII 2 3 . .

CXXX .

C omp a e r the fa m ous st a nz a s X LI I . an d X LI I I of .

A don a is .

1 .
‘
ro lling ’
cf . LXXXVI . 2 . T e nny s o n is v ery f o nd of th e
w or d .

3 . A r em ini s c e n c e of Rev . x ix . 1 7, a s d e v el op ed in P ar .

Los t, I II . 62 1 f ? .

9 . Cf .XXXII 1 4 . .

13 . Cf C XXIX 2
. . .
2 36 In M e m o r iam SE C TION

CXXX I .

’
Th e living will invo k e d in this s e c tion is
‘

prob ably int e rpr e t e d by n e a rly a l l re a d e rs a s t h e

d ivin e will or t h e divin e lov e re ga rd e d a s will
, .

But Gatt y s words the

’
D e ity r e c e iv e d t he
,
‘
,
’

a uthorita tiv e c orr e c tion fr ee will in m a n ( Key ,

‘ ’

a n d in M emoir
“
I 3 1 9 w e r ea d : I n t he ‘
.
, ,

s a m e w ay 0 living will th at sh a lt e ndure h e

,

e x pl a in e d a s th a t whi c h w e k now a s Fr e e will -

,

t h e high e r a n d e nduring p a rt of m a n C f De .
’
.

P r of u n dis this m a in m ira c l e th a t thou a r t thou

,
‘
,

W ith pow e r on thin e own a c t a n d on th e world ,

with P rologu e 1 5 O ur wills a re ours we k now

, , ,
’
not how H e n c e this will h as to unit e its e lf
.

with t h e divin e will P rologu e 1 6 O ur wills are , ,

m m
’
o urs to
,
a k e th e thin e a n d h e n c e t h e divin e

w il I lis spo k e n of i n lin e 8 of t h e pr e s e nt po e m as

wor k ing w ith t he hu m a n will Fo r t he c ontra s t .

of this e ndu ri ng will with al l th a t s ee ms c f ‘

,
’
.

Th e A n cien t S age
But th o u b e wi s e in thi s dre am w orld of our s -
,

Nor tak e thy di al f or thy d e ity ,

But make t h e p as s ing s ha do w s e rv e thy will .

A t t he s a me ti me it m ust b e r e me m b e re d th a t
,

on t h e ordin a ry int e rpr e t a tion of living will ‘

,

th e d ivin e will is r e g a rd e d i n t h e po e m as
wor k ing In m a n an d th at t h e po e t s Free will in ’
-

m a n is re ga rd e d by h im a s H e a v e n d e s c e nd e d -

( W il l ) a,
n d as not only a pp a r e ntly an a c t of ‘

s e lf li m it ation by t h e I nfinit e but a lso a r e ve l a

-
,
’ ‘

’
tion by Hi m s e lf of H i m s e lf (M emoir I ,
.
2 38 In M e m or iam E P ILO GU E
’
t he los e c But m ost re a d e rs prob ably fee l th a t
.

this pu rpo s e w a s a lr ea dy a c hi e v e d i n t h e fin a l ‘

s e c tions of I n M emor ia m whil e p a rts of t h e ,

E pilogu e ar e u nfortun at e ly writt e n in T e nnyson s ’

m ost m a nn e re d styl e .

M iss C h a p m a n giv e s a n e x c e ll e nt su m m a ry of
t h e po e m Fitly t h e Po e t C lo s e s with a m a rri a ge
s ong For his gri e f is tu rn e d t o hop e his we e p
.
,

ing into tra nquil j oy Re gre t is d e ad but love .

,

r e ma ins a n d holy m e mori e s an d h e a lthy powe r

, ,

to wor k for m en I n t h e u nion of a b e lov e d .

sist e r with a d ea r fri e nd t h e Po e t find s a bright , ,

h a r m onious n ot e on w hi c h to e n d h is s inging .

For su c h a m a rri a g e is t h e v e ry typ e of hop e an d

of al l things fa ir a n d bright an d good s e e m ing to ,

bring us n e a re r to t h e c onsu m ma tion for whi c h w e

pray th a t c rowning r ac e th a t C hrist th a t is
—

to b e T his p e rfe c t e d m a nhood towa rds whi c h

.

w e striv e w a s for e s h a dow e d in h im to who m t h e

Po e t Sings th a t fri e nd who l iv e s a n d love s in
—

Go d for e v e r
’
.

1 C f LXXXV 5
. . . .

1 7 Se e LXXVI II 1 8 a n d C XVI 9 ff
. f or th e gra du al c h ang e
.
,
. .
,
.

2 3 2 4 T h e i m a g e s ee m s t o b e th a t o f a br ook pl ay e d o n
, .

by s un an d sh ad e C f XLIX W ith dying s ong s ( 1 4 ) c f . . .

‘ ’
.

LXXVI , LXXVI I : with th e d e pr ec i a ti o n e x pr e s se d h e re t he

. .

mo r e se ri o u s lin es ,
P r ol ogu e , l as t s t a nz a .

3 9 , 4 0 C f . in t h e En och A r den v olu me

. A D edica tion .

52 S o
. m e p a rti c ul a r w o rd s m u s t s ur e ly b e r ef e rr e d t o ,

but th e y c a nn ot b e an y wo rd s in t h e s e rvi c e pr e c eding th e

qu e s ti o n s an d a n s we r s o f th e n ex t s t a nz a P o s s ibly T e nny .

s on r e m e m b e r e d t h e Bl es s ing whi c h f o ll o w s th e s e qu e s ti o n s ,

an d a n s w e r s a n d c o nt a in s t h e w o rd s th a t y e m ay s o live ‘
,
 E P ILO G U E C o m m en t a r y 2 39

t og e th e r in t h i s li f e th a t in th e wo rld to c om e y e may h a v e
li f e e v e rl as ting But p e rh ap s it is m o r e prob abl e th at h e
.
’

r ef e r s to th e qu es ti o n of th e P ri e s t W ilt th ou h a ve thi s ,
‘

m an , ’
e tc .

59 . Cf . Sh ak e s p ea r e, So nn e t 8 1 , Wh i c h e y es n ot ye t
r t d s h all
c ea e r e ad o er
’ -
.
’

7 2 C f th e b e a uti f ul p a s sa g e in t h e Ex cu r s ion B ook 5 o n

. .
, ,

th e gr av e s a s s e e n f r o m th e n o rth an d f r o m th e s o uth .

77 7 9 g e ni
-
a l s pirit s dr
. oo ping
‘
: c f S a ms on 594 So ,
’ ‘ ’
.
, ,

m u c h I f ee l my g e ni a l s piri t s dr oo p D r ooping s pirit s ’ ‘ ’

.

oc c ur s a l so in Br o wn e R el M ed 1 3 2 , . . . .

A whit er s un : bright e r d a y s
‘
whit e is u se d li k e
’ ‘ ’

a lbu s : c f C a tullu s VI II 3 Ful s er e qu o nd am c andidi tib i

’
. .
, ,

s o l es
’
.

8 5 8 C ontr a s t x x x 6 8
-
. . .

t h e s hining v a p o ur
’
s ee 1 07
"

re I II? . .

1 18 t e nd er gl oom : c f T h om s on Ca s tle of I n dol en ce

.
‘ ’
.
, ,

I lvii ( C ollin s )
. . .

12 3 f See on XLV an d C XX 1 2
. . . .

1 2 5 Allu s i o n t o th e s t a g e s in t h e li f e of th e em bry o whi c h

.

a pp ea r t o r e pr ese nt l o w e r f o r m s of a ni m a l li f e C f p e rh ap s . .

D e P r of u n dis An d e v e ry ph a s e o f e v e r h e ight eni ng li f e ’

-
.
,

1 2 8 C f C I II 3 5 C XVI II 1 4 T h e c r o wning r ac e r ec ur s ‘ ’
. . . .
.
,

12 9 p oe t h e r e pr ob ably d oes n ot mea n th a t th e

. Th e
c r o wning r a c e will un d e r s t a nd t h e m y s t e r y o f t h e univ e r s e ,

o r b e abl e t o pr o v e t h e truth s th a t c an n e v e r b e pr o v e d .

T h e k n owl edg e m u s t b e t ak e n in r ef e r e n c e t o t h e n ex t
‘ ’

l in es .

13 3 f C f C XVI II . . .

1 40 C f P r o l o gu e 3 9
’

. . .
,

e l e me nt in wh i c h a ll thing s mo ve
‘ ’
1 42 .
, .

1 43 C f LIV 1 4 1 5 LV 2 0 an d The M a hing of M a n ( but

. . .
, , .
,

in th e pr e sent p as sag e th e po e t s p e ak s of t h e wh ol e c rea

t i o n n ot only of th e e a rth )
,
.
2 40
In M em or ia m

2
3 3
2 3
2 8 m
2
m
J 8 ?
n
o
8-
a
s
8
a
o
s, c
o m
a n

“
m
n
?
e
M
m
o 0 z
n
fi
:
5 o n H
I
O
H

i 3
s
3
5 8 A
m
3 ”

m -
8 a

““
m
s
o
? 8 0
m
O
a 5 n
o
n
e
m
5 : w
0 n ? s
n m
o
5 a
: o n
 C h an ge s th e T ex t 2 43

oi
' '

on o
N
.

>
. H >
> X N N
N N N N N M N
O O O U 0 U U O
2 46 In M e m o r iam
XLIII . 10 . P r of M o or e Sm ith h a s s u gge s t e d
. to me th at
s o ul s ma y b e d u e t o r ec o ll ec ti o n w ord
‘
a r den o
f th e of th e
g
P a r a di s e .

XLIV . T h e Auth o r
n ot e on thi s m u c h di s c u s s e d s ec ti on
’
s -

c o nfi rm s m y int e rpr e t a ti o n s u m m a ri s e d o n p 1 3 5 ,
. .

As t o th e m e t a ph o r t h e d oorw a y s of h is h ea d it h as ‘
,
’

o c c urr e d t o m e th a t T e nny s o n m a
y pr o b ably h av e m e t with
t h e id e a f o und in t h e U p a ni s h a d s th a t t h e univ e r s a l s o ul o r
, , ,

Brah m a n e nt e r s th e b o dy through o n e o f th e s utures T h e

, .

s utur e is h e n c e c a ll e d t h e Br ah m a n or ific e an d ag ain t h e ’

-
,
‘
g a t es of e m a n c ip a ti o n s in c e t h e s oul l eave s th e b o dy by it
,
’

a t d ea th a n d s in c e t h e b o dy is figur e d a s a h o u se o r c a s tl e
,

with a nu m b er of d oo r s o r g at es T hu s in th e Aitar e ya .

U p a ni s h a d ( Sa cr ed B ook s of M e E a s t vo l i 2 4 1 2 ) w e a r e , . .
-

t o ld th a t t h e s oul or Brah ma n af t e r c r ea ting t h e body

, , ,

m e dit a t e s a s f o ll o w s ( th e it a li c s a r e m in e )
H e th ought H ow c a n a ll thi s b e with o ut me ?
An d th e n h e th o ught By wh a t w ay s h a ll I ge t th e r e ?
T h e n o p e ning th e s utur e o f t h e s k ull h e got in by th a t door
, ,
.

( Se e f urth e r D e us s e n Tfie P nz l os op/zy of fi re Upa n is lza ds

'

, ,

tr G e d e n ; e g pp 1 7 2 1 8 2 fli 1 9 5 2 83 4 3 59 3 94 407
. . . .
, , ,
-
, , ,
.

T h e r e a d e r will find a t p 2 8 3 th a t t h e s oul a t d e a th is sa id .

t o a b a nd o n t h e b ody o r r a th e r t h e gr o ss b o dy a s th e , ,

m a ng o f ruit l e a v e s it s s t a l k
-
a s i m il e whi c h r e ca ll s In ,
—

M em . LXXXII .

will b e s e e n th a t th e s e id eas c orr es p o nd with th e n oti on

It ,

oc c urring in XLV XL V II ( see pp 1 3 4 . o f t h e g e n e r a l s o ul

, . .
,

individu ali s ing it s e l f by c o nn e c ti o n with t h e bo dy .

I h a v e n ot a tt e m pt e d t o e xa m in e t h e Engli s h bo ok s ab o ut
I ndi a n phil os o phy th a t T e nny s o n m ight h a v e s ee n b ef or e
1 8 50 but I n o ti c e th a t t h e p a s s ag e qu o t e d a bo v e is tr a n s l a t e d
,

by C o l e bro ok e in a p a p e r o n th e V e d as r e print e d in
Es s ay s th e R el igion P nz l os opny of Me H in du s , vol i ,
'

on an d . .

1 83 7 . C o l e bro ok e u s e s t h e w o rd s r o ut e ,
’
wa y , n o t d o o r
’ ‘ ’

or g at e but ,
’
h e h as a f o o tn o t e H indu s b e li e v e th a t
:
‘
th e

so ul nt er s b o dy thro ugh t h e s a gitt a l s utur e ’

th e e th e .
 Appe n d ix 2 47

I h av e to th an k M r M H ir ian n a M A wh o wr o t e an . .
,
. .
,

int e r e s ting l e tt e r t o m e f r o m M y s or e C ity o n thi s s ubj e c t ,

th o ugh a s it h a pp e n e d af t e r my r ea ding o f D e us s e n s b oo k
, ,
’

h a d l e d to t h e a b o v e r e m a r k s .

XLVI 1 5 Love a br ooding s t ar th e Auth or s n o t e a s

. .
,
’ ’
,

if Lo rd o f t h e wh o l e li f e c o nfir m s t h e u s u a l int e rpr e t a ti on ,

’

but th e di ffi c ulti es o f th e s e c ti o n r e ma in unre solv e d .

XLVII 1 2 1 6 T h e und e rlying id ea is th a t t h e s o ul s wh os e

.
-
.
,

ulti mat e n a tur e is light gr o w l e s s m a t e ri a l an d m o r e tra n s ,

p a re nt with ea c h li f e an d fin a lly m e lt int o pu r e light , .

C f XL 1 an d br ok e n light s in P r o] 1 9 T h e ri s e thr o ugh li f e

. .
,
. .

a f t e r li f e is i ma gin e d a l s o a s t h e as c e nt o f a m o unt a in s t a ir ,

a f t e r s t a ir H e n ce p e rh a p s t h e u s e of l a nding pl ac e f o r ‘
-
’
.

t h e r e s ting pl ac e a t t h e t op -
C f t h e u se o f t h e w o rd in Tlze . .

Fr ien d I o w e th e se r e m ar k s t o P r o f A C a rruth e r s o f t h e
. . .
,

U niv e r s ity of T o r ont o .

XLVII I 1 0 M y n o t e sh ould b e c an c e ll e d P rof M oo re

. . . .

Sm ith s int e rpr e t a ti o n s e e m s c l ea rly right but by thu s

’
,

s p o rting with w o r d s t h e b e tt e r s e rv e s a l a w o f our m e nt a l

,

h e a lth viz th e la w n ot t o ex pr e s s s orr o w t o th e ut m os t

,
’
. .

L 2 C ollin s qu ot e s TZze Cen cz IV i s n b fi n :

. .
'

,
. .
,
.

M y bl ood is running up a n d d o wn m y v e in s
A f ea rf ul pl e a s ur e m ak e s it pri c k a n d tingl e .

LV I I Fi f ty s h ould b e m yri a d s a y s th e A uth o r s n ot e

. .
’ ‘
,
’ ’

( but h e d id n o t m ak e thi s c h a ng e in t h e t e xt
) .

LVII I o P rof C arr uth e r s o b s e rv e s th a t t h e e ff e c t o f s e t

. . .
’

( s o unding a t r e gul a r int e rv a l s ) is r e in f o r c e d by th a t of —

dro p by dr o p in LVI II ’
.

LXI 9 d oubt f ul I thin k th e int e rpr e t a ti o n s ugg e s t e d by

. .
’

t h e p a s s a g e qu o t ed by Lo rd T e nny s o n ( s h a d o wy ph a n t as ,

m al o pp s ub s t a nti a l tru e ) s uit s t h e pr e c e ding s t a nz a b e tt e r

, .
,

th a n min e f o r in th a t s t a nza th e r e is n o s ugg e s ti o n of d if fi

c ulty or un c e rt a inty in di s c e rning t h e f ri e nd o n ea rth .

LXIV T h e s t at e m e nt in th e fir s t s e nt e n c e o f m y n ot e is
.

c onfir m e d o r r a th e r e nl a rg e d by Lo rd T e nny s o n s n o t e
’
, , .

LXVI I 1 4 a lu c id v e il th e phrase occ urs in r ef e r e n ce t o

. .
’
 2 48 In M e m o r iam
St . Kild a , as Wo rd s wo rth i m agin e d it in No XXX V , . . of h is
P oem s com pos ed or s ugges ted du r ing a t ou r in M e s u mm er o
f
1 83 3 . thi s w e r e a c a s e o f un c o n s c i o u s r e m ini s c e n c e
If ,

LX V I I m u s t b e a t l ea s t as l a t e a s 1 8 3 5 wh e n Word s worth s
.
,
’

v o lu m e a pp ea r e d .

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t h e pl ac e i n t h e I l ia d t o w h i c h I r e f e rr e d a s t h e fir s t a pp ea r

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LXIX M y int e rpr e t a ti o n o f th e c ro wn of th orn s is c on

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firm e d by t h e Auth o r s n o t e ’
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LXXI 4 Th e d a t e o f t h e t our give n in Lo rd T e nny s o n s ’

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n o t e s e e m s t o c o nfli c t with th a t giv e n in t h e M emoir o n ,

whi c h I r e li e d I pr e s u m e th a t t h e l a tt e r is c o rr e c t
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th a t a n o t e o f e x c l a m a ti o n h a d b ee n o m itt e d a t t h e e n d of
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ti o n s th a t in a p e n c il n o t e on t h e M S o f I n M em or ia m
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c o uld h av e s a id A s s u m ing thi s int e rpr e t a ti o n t o b e c orr e c t

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p 1 7 2 o f t h e C o m m e nt a ry O r we m ay t ak e th e n h ad to
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m ea n w o uld in th a t c a s e h av e h a d a n d c on s tru e th e r es t
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LXXXVI 7 t h e h o rn e d fl oo d e x pl a in e d in th e Auth or s
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n o t e t o m e a n th e fl oo d b e tw ee n t w o pro m o nt o ri e s .
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LXXX V I I 8 I t is a c uri o u s qu e s ti o n why pro ph e t s was

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c h a ng e d t o pro ph e t C a m bridg e m e n s e em a lwa y s t o think .

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o f King s C h a p e l in r ea ding t h e s t a nz a ; a n d M r s V e rr a ll
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t ell s m e t ha t in e a ch o f th e wind o w s o f th a t c h a p e l th e re ar e
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in s uflic ie n c ie s m e a n s un a c c o m pli s h e d gr ea tn es s s u c h a
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C XIV 4 T h e Auth or s n o t e r ef e r s t o P ro v e rb s ix 1
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a g a in s t m e r e m a t e ri a li s m n o t a g a in s t e v o luti o n P e rh a p s
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th e n ( I a m d e v e l o ping a s ugg e s ti on o f P rof M oo re Smith s ) .

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lin e 1 2 s till iro ni c al m ay mea n : But I m u s t b e e x c u se d

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f r om a c ting in th a t f as hi o n a s I h a pp e n e d to b e b o rn b e f o r e ,

m a t e ri a li s m wa s i n v o gu e .
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C XXI 1 7 T h e Autho r s n ot e run s T h e e v e ning s t ar is

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a l so t h e m o rning s t a r d e a th a n d s o rr o w bright e n int o d e a th ,

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po int s o ut is a s s o c i at e d by my s ti c a l writ e rs of c l as s i c a l
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phil o s o phy wi t h t h e th e o ry o f t h e r e e ntry of th e s oul int o -

li f e a f t e r bo dily d ea th I t is a ttribut e d by P liny Na t H is t .

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go ra s I f t h e Auth o r s n ot e a s it s t an d s is right thi s

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C XXII I 4 Th e Auth o r s n o t e run s : B all ooni s t s s ay th a t

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e v e n in a s t o r m t h e m iddl e s e a is n o i s e l e s s
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C XXI V 1 8 Lord T e nny s o n r ef e r s bli nd c l am our t o I O I 2

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c l a m o ur is th a t o f t h e in f a nt c rying in th e n zgnt
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to m e T h e gra mm a ti c a l c o n s tru c ti o n is wh a t it a pp ea r s t o
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b e 2 b e ing th e prin c ip a l c l a u s e o f on e s e nt e n c e a n d 5 th a t
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m e a ning will th e n b e T h o ugh i n al l I h a v e s a id or s ung

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th e r e h a s b ee n a t o u c h of bitt e rn es s n ay th ough o f t e n ,

th e r e h as see m e d t o b e a d o wnright c o ntr a di c ti o n of h op e

y e t h op e e t c T hi s c o m m e nd s it se l f t o m e
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C XXVII I 5 6 Th e I n tr od u ct ion m e nti o n e d in th e n ot e

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w a s c o ntribut e d t o 7 718 Fr ien d by W o rd s w o rth .

18 I a gr e e with P r o f s M oor e Sm ith an d C a rruth er s th a t

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c r a m p s s h o uld b e t a k e n in t h e phy s i c al s e n s e
’
.

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