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Henry Vaughan The Retreat
Henry Vaughan The Retreat
retire, withdraw
The Retreat
Imageries:
Happy those early days! when I Unlike other metaphysical poets, who combine disparate terms to achieve shaking
Shined in my angel infancy. poetic experience, Henry Vaughn Juxtaposes seemingly disparate narratives to
Before I understood this place produce unconventional notions about familiar experiences.
Lines 1-6
In the first section of this piece, the speaker begins by making an exclamation, which at this
point, has no defining context. On first reading, one might see this line as a celebratory
statement, but after coming to a greater understanding of the text it becomes clear it is closer
to grief than joy.
The speaker is looking back on the days of his youth and remembering what it was like when
he “Shined in [his] angel infancy.” He is long past these moments but remembers them very
fondly. They seem to him to be the clearest, purist, parts of his life. The following lines
continue his reminisces by speaking of how now he understands “this place.”
He knows the world he is living in and can see all of its dark corners. Before though, this was
not the case. As a youth, he used to live so purely he didn’t even think about how “celestial”
his thoughts were. Now, thinking cleanly takes a concerted effort.
Lines 7-14
In the next section of ‘The Retreat’, the speaker goes on to describe what his life was like
before he strayed far from home. It was during this period that he “had not walked” more
than a “mile or two from” his “first love.” He had not seen very much of the world at this
point and knew nothing about its dangers.
When he looks back now he realizes this was when he could “glimpse” the face of God. It
was only for a “short” span this was possible and in moments in which he gazes upon a
“gilded cloud or flower.” When he was young he could spend an hour simply contemplating
the beauty of the natural world.
In the final lines of this section he speaks on the glimpses of “eternity” he caught in these
moments. They were only “shadows” but they felt infinitely important to him.
Lines 15-20
In the next section, the poet continues on the same path of describing the life he used to lead
when he was young. The speaker is remembering the years of his life which were not marked
by his “tongue” wounding his own “conscience.” He didn’t worry about what was morally
right or wrong, he simply lived as a young person.
This is expanded upon in the next lines in which he speaks of “black art” tainting emotions.
Before he aged he did not worry about how he felt and if it was sinful. Now though, the
nature of his own emotions bothers him. This has been brought on by the teachings of society
and perhaps religion. Rather than experience these guilty thoughts about his own life, he felt
within his “fleshy dress,” or body, “shoots of everlastingness.” It seemed to his younger self
that he would live forever in a perpetual state of youth.
Lines 21-26
The next part of ‘The Retreat’ takes a turn. He stops reminiscing and instead expresses his
general longing for the past. He makes another exclamation stating, “O, how I long to travel
back” to the past. The speaker would rather live in the past and walk again on “that ancient
track” than live as he does now.
If he could return, he might have a chance of reaching “that plain” where he left his “glorious
train.” He would hope to recover his previous state of being. He knows exactly where he left
it too, on the hill alongside the “enlightened spirit.” The spirit, which represents his youth, is
able to see the “shady city of palm trees” from where it rests.
Lines 27-32
In the last six lines, the speaker mourns for what he will never have again. He has become
“drunk” with his own longings and remembrances. The speaker knows it is not a healthy way
to live as he will “stagger” about his life without purpose. This fact does not keep him from
changing his opinion. He knows he is unlike other men; he loves the “backward steps” rather
than the “forward motion.”
In the final two lines, he speaks about this own death. It will be the ultimate returning as he
resumes the form of “dust.” His body will return to the earth and become again what it was
before he was born.