Two Rivers
Two Rivers - meaning Summary
Two Streams: Local and Eternal
Emerson contrasts a small, pleasant local river called Musketaquit with a larger, spiritual stream that represents his poetic or philosophical vision. The local river is bound by narrow banks and physical charm, while the speaker’s stream is unbounded, flowing through time, nature, thought, and love. Drinking from the larger stream promises renewal, clarity, and immortality. The poem frames creative or spiritual expansiveness against limited, sensory experience.
Read Complete AnalysesThy summer voice, Musketaquit, Repeats the music of the rain; But sweeter rivers pulsing flit Through thee, as thou through the Concord Plain. Thou in thy narrow banks art pent: The stream I love unbounded goes Through flood and sea and firmament; Through light, through life, it forward flows. I see the inundation sweet, I hear the spending of the steam Through years, through men, through Nature fleet, Through love and thought, through power and dream. Musketaquit, a goblin strong, Of shard and flint makes jewels gay; They lose their grief who hear his song, And where he winds is the day of day. So forth and brighter fares my stream,— Who drink it shall not thirst again; No darkness taints its equal gleam, And ages drop in it like rain.
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