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Let not candour be the plaything of gods, by Unknown — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

Let not candour be the plaything of gods, nor the trite fancy of vague fortune's hand, with its desire for childish winks and nods that mark the purest with such lurid brand. Let the lovers who face the fiercest gale, with hands entwined and holding fast, feel the kinder winds and their gentle veil as they travel their path until the last; when a petal's touch from a fallen rose, is all that remains but will ever be. Know for the beauty of a lover's prose tears will always flow to the endless sea; and there Lovers may find the missing part that few possess, the crystal truth of heart

Translation (English)

Don't let honesty be toyed with by the gods, nor become the boring idea of unpredictable luck, which wants trivial gestures that stain the pure with a harsh mark. Let those in love who face the strongest storms, with hands joined and holding tight, feel the gentler winds and their soft cover as they continue their journey to the end; when the touch of a fallen rose petal, is all that remains yet will always exist. Know that for the beauty of a lover's words tears will always flow to the endless ocean; and there Lovers might find the missing piece that few have, the clear truth of the heart

About the Poet

Unknown (Unknown)

No specific author or era could be identified for this poem.

Historical Context

Literary Form
Free verse
When Written
Unknown
Background
The poem seems to explore themes of love, truth, and the human condition, reflecting on the purity and challenges of love and the search for truth.

Sources: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/50064/50064-h/50064-h.htm, https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/articles-resources/from-kitab-i-aqdas, https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004850267.0001.000/1:4?rgn=div1;view=fulltext, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69379/an-essay-on-criticism, https://chaucer.fas.harvard.edu/pages/parsons-prologue-and-tale, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candor

Detailed Explanation

This poem reflects on the themes of love, truth, and the human condition. It begins by cautioning against allowing honesty or candor to be trivialized by divine forces or the unpredictable nature of fate. The poem suggests that superficial gestures can tarnish even the purest intentions. It then shifts focus to lovers who, despite facing challenges, remain steadfast and hopeful. The imagery of a gentle wind contrasts with the fierce gale, symbolizing the balance of hardships and comforts in love. The poem concludes with the idea that true love and understanding can lead to discovering the 'crystal truth of heart,' a rare and precious insight that few possess. The poem uses rich imagery and metaphor to convey its message, emphasizing the enduring nature of love and the quest for truth.

Themes

  • Love
  • Truth
  • Human Condition
  • Fate

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: 'the plaything of gods' suggests manipulation by higher powers.
  • Imagery: 'fiercest gale' and 'gentle veil' create vivid contrasts.
  • Symbolism: 'petal's touch from a fallen rose' symbolizes fragility and beauty.
  • Alliteration: 'kinder winds and their gentle veil' uses repeated 'w' and 'v' sounds.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
candour honesty the quality of being open and truthful kan-dur
trite overused lacking originality or freshness trahyt
lurid shocking very vivid in color, creating an unpleasantly harsh effect loo-rid
gale strong wind very strong wind geyl
veil cover a thin cover or layer veyl
prose written words ordinary writing or speech prohz
crystal clear transparent and clear like crystal kris-tl
truth reality what is real or true trooth

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