Holy Week at Genoa
Holy Week at Genoa - context Summary
Composed for Holy Week
Set during Holy Week in Genoa, the poem places the speaker amid sunny, Hellenic beauty—orange trees, blossoms, and laughing waves—until a passing boy-priest sings of Christ’s death. The chant interrupts idyllic pleasure, forcing a sudden recollection of the Crucifixion and its instruments of torment. The poem contrasts secular delight with religious solemnity and registers a tension between aesthetic enjoyment and the summons of sacred ritual during the liturgical week.
Read Complete AnalysesI wandered through Scoglietto's far retreat, The oranges on each o'erhanging spray Burned as bright lamps of gold to shame the day; Some startled bird with fluttering wings and fleet Made snow of all the blossoms; at my feet Like silver moons the pale narcissi lay: And the curved waves that streaked the great green bay Laughed i' the sun, and life seemed very sweet. Outside the young boy-priest passed singing clear, 'Jesus the son of Mary has been slain, O come and fill His sepulchre with flowers.' Ah, God! Ah, God! those dear Hellenic hours Had drowned all memory of Thy bitter pain, The Cross, the Crown, the Soldiers and the Spear.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.