Songs of the Pixies by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Songs of the Pixies

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Songs of the Pixies

I.

Whom the untaught Shepherds call

Pixies in their madrigal,

Fancy's children, here we dwell:

Welcome, Ladies!  to our cell.

Here the wren of softest note

Builds its nest and warbles well;

Here the blackbird strains his throat;

Welcome, Ladies!  to our cell.

 

II.

When fades the moon to shadowy-pale,

And scuds the cloud before the gale,

Ere the Morn, all gem-bedight,

Hath streak'd the East with rosy light,

We sip the furze-flower's fragrant dews

Clad in robes of rainbow hues:

Or sport amid the shooting gleams

To the tune of distant-tinkling teams,

While lusty Labour scouting sorrow

Bids the Dame a glad good-morrow,

Who jogs the accustomed road along,

And paces cheery to her cheering song.

 

III.

But not our filmy pinion

We scorch amid the blaze of day,

When Noontide's fiery-tressed minion

Flashes the fervid ray.

Aye from the sultry heat

We to the cave retreat

O'ercanopied by huge roots intertwined

With wildest texture, blackened o'er with age:

Round them their mantle green the ivies bind,

Beneath whose foliage pale

Fanned by the unfrequent gale

We shield us from the Tyrant's mid-day rage.

 

IV.

Thither, while the murmuring throng

Of wild-bees hum their drowsy song,

By Indolence and Fancy brought,

A youthful Bard, 'unknown to Fame',

Wooes the Queen of Solemn Thought,

And heaves the gentle misery of a sigh

Gazing with tearful eye,

As round our sandy grot appear

Many a rudely sculptured name

To pensive Memory dear!

Weaving gay dreams of sunny-tinctured hue

We glance before his view:

O'er his hush'd soul our soothing witcheries shed

And twine the future garland round his head.

 

V.

When Evening's dusky car

Crowned with her dewy star

Steals o'er the fading sky in shadowy flight;

On leaves of aspen trees

We tremble to the breeze

Veiled from the grosser ken of mortal sight.

Or, haply, at the visionary hour,

Along our wildly-bowered sequestered walk,

We listen to the enamoured rustic's talk;

Heave with the heavings of the maiden's breast,

Where young-eyed Loves have hid their turtle nest;

Or guide of soul-subduing power

The glance, that from the half-confessing eye

Darts the fond question or the soft reply.

 

VI.

Or through the mystic ringlets of the vale

We flash our faery feet in gamesome prank;

Or, silent-sandal'd, pay our defter court,

Circling the Spirit of the Western Gale,

Where wearied with his flower-caressing sport,

Supine he slumbers on a violet bank;

Then with quaint music hymn the parting gleam

By lonely Otter's sleep-persuading stream;

Or where his wave with loud unquiet song

Dashed o'er the rocky channel froths along;

Or where, his silver waters smoothed to rest,

The tall tree's shadow sleeps upon his breast.

 

VII.

Hence thou lingerer, Light!

Eve saddens into Night.

Mother of wildly-working dreams!  we view

The sombre hours, that round thee stand

With down-cast eyes (a duteous band!)

Their dark robes dripping with the heavy dew.

Sorceress of the ebon throne!

Thy power the Pixies own,

When round thy raven brow

Heaven's lucent roses glow,

And clouds in watery colours drest

Float in light drapery o'er thy sable vest:

What time the pale moon sheds a softer day

Mellowing the woods beneath its pensive beam:

For mid the quivering light 'tis ours to play,

Aye dancing to the cadence of the stream.

 

VIII.

Welcome, Ladies!  to the cell

Where the blameless Pixies dwell:

But thou, sweet Nymph!  proclaimed our Faery Queen,

With what obeisance meet

Thy presence shall we greet?

For lo!  attendant on thy steps are seen

Graceful Ease in artless stole,

And white-robed Purity of soul,

With Honour's softer mien;

Mirth of the loosely-flowing hair,

And meek-eyed Pity eloquently fair,

Whose tearful cheeks are lovely to the view,

As snow-drop wet with dew.

 

IX.

Unboastful Maid!  though now the Lily pale

Transparent grace thy beauties meek;

Yet ere again along the impurpling vale,

The purpling vale and elfin-haunted grove,

Young Zephyr his fresh flowers profusely throws,

We'll tinge with livelier hues thy cheek;

And, haply, from the nectar-breathing Rose

Extract a Blush for Love!

 

Section by Section Summary

 

I.

The Pixies, mystical beings that shepherds speak of in their songs, introduce themselves as the imaginative children of fancy. They live in a charming, natural retreat and warmly welcome the visiting ladies. They describe the peaceful environment where the wren sings sweetly and the blackbird sings with passion.

 

II.

The Pixies continue describing their home. They mention how the cuckoo echoes through the hollow, the bee hums among the foxgloves, and the butterflies float over the violets. All these delicate details show how untouched and beautiful their dwelling is, set apart from the noise of the world.

 

III.

The Pixies recall the earlier times when they would gather at night, flitting through moonlight and mist. They danced and played tricks on humans, showing their mischievous nature. They also imply that they were once more active and visible to people.

 

IV.

They recount how in the past, mortals feared them. The Pixies were blamed for small household troubles or for leading travelers astray. Their presence used to be powerful and known, but times have changed, and their influence seems to have faded.

 

V.

Now, the Pixies say, they live in peaceful retirement. They are no longer involved in mischief. Instead, they enjoy poetic pleasures, reading and writing verses in their magical glen. They speak of the joy they find in rhyme and imagination.

 

VI.

The Pixies turn their attention to the visiting ladies, who are perhaps schoolgirls or young women. They express admiration for their beauty and hint at the innocence and grace they bring. The Pixies find inspiration in the visitors' presence.

 

VII.

They claim that although the girls may not believe in Pixies, the Pixies believe in them. Their delight in these maidens is genuine, and they express a wish to gift the girls poetic dreams and visions—perhaps to help them become poets or dreamers themselves.

 

VIII.

Here, the Pixies seem to choose one of the girls as particularly special. She is seen as a chosen one, to whom the Pixies will whisper inspiration. They describe how she’ll receive creative thoughts in her dreams and awaken with poetic ideas.

 

IX.

This girl is imagined as a future poet. The Pixies paint a picture of her writing verses by a stream, drawing inspiration from nature and their magical influence. Her songs will be admired and remembered because of this mystical touch.

 

X.

The poem ends with a sort of blessing. The Pixies say that when the girl grows up, people will read her verses and recognize that she had the gift of poetic vision. They, the Pixies, will have played a part in shaping her destiny as a poet.

 

Full Summary

In "Songs of the Pixies," the speaker introduces the mystical beings known as Pixies, who dwell in a secluded, enchanted glen. These creatures, spoken of in the songs of simple shepherds, are described as the playful offspring of Fancy—that is, imagination. They warmly welcome a group of visiting young ladies into their hidden world, a place where nature flourishes untouched: the wren sings gently, the blackbird pours out its full-throated melody, the cuckoo echoes across hollows, and butterflies and bees flutter and hum among the wildflowers.

The Pixies recall the mystical and mischievous past, when they danced under moonlight and cloaked mist, delighting in tricks and playful interference in the affairs of humans. They once had a powerful presence in the world—people feared them, blamed them for misfortunes, and whispered about their influence. The Pixies speak of leading travelers astray and meddling in household affairs, a time when their magical existence was more active and widely believed in.

Now, however, they explain that those days have passed. They live a quieter life, having withdrawn from their mischievous adventures. Instead, they spend their time in peaceful retirement, immersed in poetry and imagination. Their joy comes from the beauty of rhyme, from the world of thoughts and dreams, and from a deeper connection with the artistic soul.

As they observe the young ladies visiting their glade—likely students or schoolgirls—they express admiration for their innocence, charm, and quiet intelligence. The Pixies are especially drawn to one among them, a girl who stands out as particularly thoughtful and gifted. Though the girls might not believe in Pixies, the Pixies believe in them, and they decide to bestow upon this chosen one the gift of inspiration.

They declare that this girl will receive whispered visions from them during sleep—visions that will shape her thoughts and dreams into poetry. She will grow to be a poetess, someone who sits by the brookside, writing verses inspired by the natural beauty around her and the secret guidance of the Pixies. As she matures, her poems will be known and admired, and though people may not understand the source of her gift, the Pixies will know they helped awaken her inner voice.

The poem ends with a gentle blessing: the girl’s poetry will endure, touched by the invisible hand of the Pixies, and her voice will carry the essence of their magical world—proof that the imagination, like the Pixies themselves, still lives in those who dream.

 

Analysis in Detail

Context and Background

Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote "Songs of the Pixies" in 1793, during his early poetic years. The poem is heavily influenced by the Romantic movement’s fascination with nature, folklore, imagination, and childhood innocence. It was written after a visit to the school at Ottery St. Mary (his birthplace), where he was inspired by a group of young girls and local legends about Pixies—mythical creatures from Devonshire folklore.

 

Tone and Voice

The tone of the poem shifts subtly:

Whimsical and Playful at the start as the Pixies introduce themselves.

Nostalgic when they recall their mischievous days of influencing the world.

Gentle and Admiring when speaking about the young girls.

Hopeful and Inspirational by the end, especially regarding the poetic destiny of the chosen girl.

The voice is imaginative and lyrical, blending fantasy with real human emotion, particularly the yearning for innocence, creativity, and the unseen forces that shape artistic minds.

 

Themes

1. Nature and Imagination

Nature is not just a setting but a character in the poem. The lush descriptions of birds, flowers, and sounds create a dreamlike world that reflects the Romantic ideal: nature as a source of beauty and inspiration.

 

2. Folklore and the Supernatural

Pixies are used as personifications of imagination and poetic inspiration. Coleridge romanticizes folklore, portraying these beings not as threats, but as poetic muses. The supernatural here represents mystery, magic, and the unseen creative forces at work in the world.

 

3. Innocence and Youth

The young girls represent purity, grace, and untapped potential. The Pixies admire their unspoiled minds, suggesting that childhood and youth are closest to the imaginative and magical realms.

 

4. Poetic Inspiration

One of the girls is seen as a future poet. The Pixies bless her with dreams that will spark creative writing. This is an early reflection of the Romantic idea that poets are born through a fusion of inner vision and external mystical forces.

 

5. Change and Loss of Belief

The Pixies speak with nostalgia about a time when people believed in them. This reflects Coleridge’s concern (shared by many Romantics) that society was moving away from wonder, imagination, and nature—losing touch with the mystical.

 

Structure and Form

The poem is divided into ten numbered sections, each serving like a stanza with a mini-theme or focus.

The rhyme scheme is regular and musical, enhancing its storytelling and lyrical quality.

The use of enjambment and varied meter allows the poem to flow naturally, like a song or chant, which fits the title.

 

Poetic Devices

Imagery

Coleridge paints vivid natural scenes:

“Here the wren of softest note / Builds its nest and warbles well…”

Such lines pull the reader into the Pixies’ enchanted world.

 

Personification

Nature is brought to life—birds "strain their throats," and the Pixies themselves are personifications of poetic inspiration.

 

Allusion

References to local Devon folklore give the poem a mythic quality, rooted in a real place but elevated through imagination.

 

Sound Devices

Alliteration, internal rhyme, and soft consonant sounds create a soothing, musical tone:

“Fancy’s children, here we dwell: / Welcome, Ladies! to our cell.”

 

Symbolism

Pixies = Imagination, poetic muse, creativity.

The chosen girl = Future poet, the Romantic ideal of the inspired artist.

The glen = A secluded place of inspiration, away from the corruption of the world.

 

Coleridge’s Intentions

In this early work, Coleridge is already exploring key Romantic concerns:

The power of imagination to transform and inspire.

The belief that poetry is a divine gift, often delivered through mysterious means.

A longing for a world where myth and mystery are respected, not discarded by reason and modernity.

The Pixies function almost like a metaphor for the poet’s inner voice, and by showing their retreat from the world, Coleridge may be subtly warning against losing touch with this vital part of the human spirit.

 

Conclusion

"Songs of the Pixies" is more than a light-hearted fairy poem—it’s a meditation on imagination, poetic inspiration, and the beauty of youth and nature. Through a rich blend of folklore and lyrical charm, Coleridge invites the reader to enter a magical realm where nature sings, dreams inspire, and poetry is born in secret, sacred places.