Song of the Statue
Song of the Statue - meaning Summary
Desire for Sacrificial Love
The poem gives voice to a statue longing to be animated by a human sacrifice of love. It pleads for someone to risk or give their life so the statue can escape its cold, immobile existence and taste living. The speaker alternates hope and despair, celebrating the idea of life born from blood yet mourning that such offerings cannot always reclaim what is lost. The mood is yearning and mournful.
Read Complete AnalysesWho so loveth me that he Will give his precious life for me? I shall be set free from the stone If some one drowns for me in the sea, I shall have life, life of my own,— For life I ache. I long for the singing blood, The stone is so still and cold. I dream of life, life is good. Will no one love me and be bold And me awake? . . . . I weep and weep alone, Weep always for my stone. What joy is my blood to me If it ripens like red wine? It cannot call back from the sea The life that was given for mine, Given for Love's sake.
Translated by Jessie Lamont
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