The Cart of Life
The Cart of Life - meaning Summary
From Resistance to Resigned Motion
The poem uses a cart’s journey as a plain metaphor for human life and its changing attitudes. Morning brings defiant energy and impatience with idleness. By midday the travelers grow fearful and demand gentler progress. By evening they have grown accustomed, dozing and resigned while Time urges the horses faster. The poem tracks emotional shifts from resistance to acceptance, suggesting adaptation and the steady, impersonal force of time.
Read Complete AnalysesTho’ it is hard – the earthly load, The Cart is easy in its move, The reckless couch-time, on road, Will not get of his bench above. In early morn we take our places; We glad to break our empty head, And leaving leisure for the races, We cry, “Go on, you idler, damned!” At noon, our bravery’s diminished; We have been tossed and more afraid Of slopes, steep, and ravines, peevish, And cry, “Be easier, you, brat!” The cart rolls in the former fashion, By evening, we have used to it, Wait for night lodgings, doze, patient, – And Time tends horses to full speed. Translated by Yevgeny Bonver
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