Una
Una - meaning Summary
Longing for a Distant Presence
Emerson's poem describes Una as an elusive, guiding presence who appears most vividly when the speaker travels. At home her absence is comfortable; abroad she becomes the sought face that animates journeys and dreams. The poem contrasts inward domestic life with yearning for distant encounters, and closes by noting how the poet, like Una, is known abroad yet overlooked at home. It maps desire onto movement and fame.
Read Complete AnalysesRoving, roving, as it seems, Una lights my clouded dreams; Still for journeys she is dressed; We wander far by east and west. In the homestead, homely thought; At my work I ramble not; If from home chance draw me wide, Half-seen Una sits beside. In my house and garden-plot, Though beloved, I miss her not; But one I seek in foreign places, One face explore in foreign faces. At home a deeper thought may light The inward sky with chrysolite, And I greet from far the ray, Aurora of a dearer day. But if upon the seas I sail, Or trundle on the glowing rail, I am but a thought of hers, Loveliest of travellers. So the gentle poet's name To foreign parts is blown by fame; Seek him in his native town, He is hidden and unknown.
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