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Raven mares a-galloped quickly forth by Unknown — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

Raven mares a-galloped quickly forth Buried lay in manes of darkness dreams Tearing sleep apart at all its seams Went they far, across the skies so swarth Raven mares a-galloped boldly forth Crossing skies and boundless land below Dreams and kindled visions for to show From the south, toward the frozen north Raven mares a-galloped quickly forth Hearing all of all the children's plight Took they on the name and role of "night" Went they far, across the skies so swarth Raven mares a-galloped boldly forth Taking dreams of children still in pain Giving them to those who still are vain From the south, toward the frozen north

Translation (English)

Black horses ran quickly forward Hidden in their dark hair were dreams Ripping sleep apart at its seams They traveled far, across the dark skies Black horses ran boldly forward Crossing skies and endless land below Showing dreams and visions From the south, toward the cold north Black horses ran quickly forward Hearing all the children's suffering They took on the name and role of "night" They traveled far, across the dark skies Black horses ran boldly forward Taking dreams of children still suffering Giving them to those who are still proud From the south, toward the cold north

About the Poet

Unknown (Unknown)

The poet of this work is not identified in available literature, suggesting it may be an original or lesser-known piece.

Historical Context

Literary Form
Narrative poem
When Written
Unknown
Background
The poem appears to explore themes of dreams, darkness, and the passage of night, possibly reflecting on the transition from innocence to experience or the delivery of dreams and nightmares.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raven, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven

Detailed Explanation

The poem 'Raven mares a-galloped quickly forth' uses the imagery of 'raven mares' — black horses — to symbolize the night carrying dreams across the sky. The repetition of the phrase 'a-galloped quickly forth' emphasizes the relentless and swift passage of time and dreams. The mares are described as tearing sleep apart, suggesting a disruption or transformation that occurs during the night. The poem explores the journey from the south to the north, perhaps symbolizing a transition from warmth to coldness, or from life to a more introspective state. The 'children's plight' and the 'dreams of children still in pain' evoke themes of innocence and suffering, with the mares acting as carriers of these dreams, redistributing them to others. This could symbolize the sharing of human experiences and emotions across different individuals. The poem's structure, with its repeated stanzas and rhyme scheme, creates a rhythmic flow that mirrors the galloping of the horses, reinforcing the themes of movement and transition.

Themes

  • Dreams
  • Night
  • Transition
  • Innocence and Experience

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery of 'raven mares' and 'manes of darkness' to evoke the night.
  • Repetition: The phrase 'Raven mares a-galloped' is repeated to emphasize the continuous movement.
  • Symbolism: The 'raven mares' symbolize the night and the passage of dreams.
  • Rhyme: The poem follows a rhyme scheme that adds to its musical quality.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
mares female horses female animals, especially horses mares
a-galloped galloped ran quickly uh-galloped
forth forward ahead fohrth
manes hair on a horse's neck the long hair on a horse's neck manes
swarth dark dark or shadowy swawrth
plight difficult situation a bad situation plight
vain proud thinking too highly of oneself vain
kindled ignited set on fire or started kindled
visions dreams mental images or dreams visions

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