Song by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Song

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Song

Tho' veiled in spires of myrtle-wreath,

Love is a sword that cuts its sheath,

And thro' the clefts, itself has made,

We spy the flashes of the Blade !

 

But thro' the clefts, itself has made,

We likewise see Love's flashing blade,

By rust consumed or snapt in twain :

And only Hilt and Stump remain.

 

Summary of “Song” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem presents Love as a powerful, passionate, and often uncontrollable force. Though it may appear gentle, delicate, or even adorned—like being wrapped in myrtle-wreaths (a symbol of love and beauty)—its true nature is much more intense and piercing. Coleridge compares Love to a sword, suggesting that despite being sheathed or restrained, it eventually cuts through its cover, exposing its bright, sharp energy. This vivid imagery shows that Love, no matter how hidden or contained, reveals itself forcefully and cannot be suppressed.

As the poem progresses, Coleridge emphasizes the dual nature of Love—it is both beautiful and destructive. Love is not passive; it acts powerfully, sometimes wounding those who feel it, or those it touches. The speaker portrays how Love reveals its inner fire, glowing through the wounds or openings it creates. This glow is described as something that can be seen, like the flashes of the blade through the gaps it creates in the sheath.

The poem then touches on the emotional turmoil that Love brings. It can cause tears, longing, and deep inner conflicts, indicating that it is more than just sweetness or joy—it is an intense experience that moves the soul. There are suggestions of unrequited or painful love, hinting that the speaker may be wrestling with personal feelings of heartache or longing.

In its closing lines, the poem continues to portray Love as a force that dominates—uncontainable, glowing, and fiercely alive. It cannot be hidden for long; its passion and energy break through any disguise.

 

Analysis in Detail

1. Theme and Central Idea:

The central theme of the poem is the dual nature of Love—its outer beauty and inner intensity. Coleridge portrays Love as something that appears soft and romantic but is, in fact, intensely powerful, piercing, and sometimes painful. Love is both a source of passion and suffering, capable of overwhelming the human heart with longing, joy, sorrow, and conflict.

There is also an implicit suggestion of emotional vulnerability, where love, once awakened, cannot be hidden or contained. The poem examines how love transforms a person from within, even when they attempt to cloak it under appearances or societal norms.

 

2. Imagery and Symbolism:

Coleridge uses vivid and contrasting imagery to explore the nature of Love:

"Veiled in spires of myrtle-wreath": The myrtle is a traditional symbol of love, beauty, and marriage. The word veiled suggests that love often appears gentle or innocent.

"Love is a sword that cuts its sheath": This is the central metaphor of the poem. The sword represents love's inner strength and intensity, while the sheath stands for the outward appearances or attempts to contain it. The metaphor conveys the idea that love is inherently uncontrollable—it eventually reveals itself, breaking through all disguises or constraints.

"Flashes of the Blade": Suggests moments when the true force of love is exposed—possibly in moments of passion, confession, or emotional vulnerability.

This metaphor also adds a paradox: something as noble and beautiful as love is likened to a weapon, capable of inflicting deep emotional wounds.

 

3. Tone and Mood:

The tone is introspective, passionate, and at times melancholic. Coleridge speaks as one who understands the profound emotional consequences of love—its capacity to both inspire and wound. The mood shifts from the softness suggested in the beginning to a sense of internal conflict and sorrow, indicating that the speaker is not just theorizing about love but personally affected by its complexities.

 

4. Structure and Language:

Though the full poem is short, its concise structure packs dense meaning. Coleridge employs rhymed couplets, which create a lyrical and rhythmic flow that contrasts with the deeper emotional weight of the content. The juxtaposition of elevated diction (“myrtle-wreath”, “clefts”) with emotionally charged imagery reinforces the tension between idealized love and real, raw feeling.

The poem does not use elaborate or abstract language, yet its metaphors are rich and layered. The simplicity of form reflects the universality of the experience of love, making the poem relatable to anyone who has felt the mix of beauty and pain in loving someone.

 

5. Interpretation of Love in the Romantic Context:

As a Romantic poet, Coleridge often explored the power of human emotion and the inner life. In “Song,” he focuses on the inner conflict love causes, rather than presenting it as a wholly positive or ideal experience. This aligns with Romanticism’s emphasis on emotional truth over convention.

Romantic poets often viewed love as a force of nature—untamable, sublime, and transformative. Here, Coleridge offers that same idea: love is not what we dress it up to be (the myrtle-wreath), but something stronger, more volatile, and capable of reshaping the soul.

 

Conclusion:

In “Song,” Coleridge captures the paradox of love: it is at once beautiful and brutal, sacred and searing. Through the central metaphor of the sword and its sheath, he shows how love cannot be concealed—it is a dynamic force that will inevitably reveal itself, often leaving behind deep emotional impressions. The poem stands as a reflection on how love, no matter how glorified or romanticized, has the potential to cut deep into the heart, changing a person forever.