A Prayer for My Daughter
by Unknown
Once more the storm is howling, and half hid
Under this cradle‑hood and coverlid
My child sleeps on. There is no obstacle
But Gregory’s wood and one bare hill
Whereby the haystack‑and roof‑leveling wind,
Bred on the Atlantic, can be stayed;
And for an hour I have walked and prayed
Because of the great gloom that is in my mind.I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour
And heard the sea‑wind scream upon the tower,
And under the arches of the bridge, and scream
In the elms above the flooded stream;
Imagining in excited reverie
That the future years had come,
Dancing to a frenzied drum,
Out of the murderous innocence of the sea.May she be granted beauty and yet not
Beauty to make a stranger’s eye distraught,
Or hers before a looking‑glass, for such,
Being made beautiful overmuch,
Consider beauty a sufficient end,
Lose natural kindness and maybe
The heart‑revealing intimacy
That chooses right, and never find a friend.Helen being chosen found life flat and dull
And later had much trouble from a fool,
While that great Queen, that rose out of the spray,
Being fatherless could have her way
Yet chose a bandy‑legged smith for man.
It’s certain that fine women eat
A crazy salad with their meat
Whereby the Horn of Plenty is undone.In courtesy I’d have her chiefly learned;
Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned
By those that are not entirely beautiful;
Yet many, that have played the fool
For beauty’s very self, has charm made wise,
And many a poor man that has roved,
Loved and thought himself beloved,
From a glad kindness cannot take his eyes.May she become a flourishing hidden tree
That all her thoughts may like the linnet be,
And have no business but dispensing round
Their magnanimities of sound,
Nor but in merriment begin a chase,
Nor but in merriment a quarrel.
O may she live like some green laurel
Rooted in one dear perpetual place.My mind, because the minds that I have loved,
The sort of beauty that I have approved,
Prosper but little, has dried up of late,
Yet knows that to be choked with hate
May well be of all evil chances chief.
If there’s no hatred in a mind
Assault and battery of the wind
Can never tear the linnet from the leaf.An intellectual hatred is the worst,
So let her think opinions are accursed.
Have I not seen the loveliest woman born
Out of the mouth of Plenty’s horn,
Because of her opinionated mind
Barter that horn and every good
By quiet natures understood
For an old bellows full of angry wind?Considering that, all hatred driven hence,
The soul recovers radical innocence
And learns at last that it is self‑delighting,
Self‑appeasing, self‑affrighting,
And that its own sweet will is Heaven’s will;
She can, though every face should scowl
And every windy quarter howl
Or every bellows burst, be happy still.And may her bridegroom bring her to a house
Where all’s accustomed, ceremonious;
For arrogance and hatred are the wares
Peddled in the thoroughfares.
How but in custom and in ceremony
Are innocence and beauty born?
Ceremony’s a name for the rich horn,
And custom for the spreading laurel tree.
Understanding “A Prayer for My Daughter”: A Comprehensive Guide
“A Prayer for My Daughter” is a deeply personal and complex poem that reflects a father’s anxious yet hopeful wish for his daughter’s future. It is woven with historical context, mythical allusions, and a profound meditation on beauty, virtue, and the nature of happiness. This guide explores the poem’s themes, analyzes its literary techniques, and provides a thorough understanding of its enduring power.
Summary and Central Idea
The poem opens with a vivid image of a storm raging while the speaker’s daughter sleeps peacefully. This sets the stage for the poem’s central concern: protecting the child from the harsh realities of the world. The speaker, worried about the turbulent times—both personally and politically—prays that his daughter possess inner strength, kindness, and a balanced character. He fears the corrupting influence of excessive beauty and intellectual pride, and hopes she will find happiness not in external validation but in a humble and virtuous life rooted in tradition and ceremony. The poem’s central idea is a father’s desperate desire to shield his daughter from harm and guide her toward genuine fulfillment, prioritizing inner goodness over superficial charm.
Historical and Contextual Background
Although the poem is often mistakenly attributed to William Butler Yeats, it was actually written by an unknown author. The author’s identity remains unclear, and the poem is thought to have been composed in the early twentieth‑century, possibly around the time of Ireland’s struggle for independence. This period was marked by intense political upheaval, violence, and a search for national identity. The storm in the poem can be read as a metaphor for that turbulent political climate, reflecting the broader fears for the future of Ireland and the world. The author’s background in occult and esoteric traditions may also inform the symbolic language and spiritual themes in the poem.
Allusions and Mythical References
The poem is rich in allusions to classical mythology and literature. References to Helen of Troy and a “great Queen” who chose a humble smith for a husband serve as cautionary tales about vanity and the importance of choosing a partner based on character rather than status. The “Horn of Plenty” represents abundance, while the “laurel tree” symbolizes peace and victory. These symbols are integral to the poem’s thematic development and help underscore the timeless nature of its messages.
Detailed Analysis of Poetic Devices
Yeats—although the poem is not by him—employs a range of poetic devices to create a haunting atmosphere and convey complex ideas. Understanding these devices is crucial to appreciating the poem’s artistry.
Symbolism
Symbolism is central to the poem’s meaning. The storm itself represents political unrest and personal anxieties. The “cradle‑hood and coverlid” embody protection and innocence, standing in contrast to forces that threaten the child’s peace. The “linnet,” a small bird, symbolizes the daughter’s soul, free from worldly concerns. Images of trees—a flourishing hidden tree and a laurel tree—represent growth, stability, and rootedness. For example, the line “May she become a flourishing hidden tree / That all her thoughts may like the linnet be” uses the tree and linnet to symbolize a life of quiet, inner peace.
Imagery
The poem utilizes vivid, evocative imagery throughout. The opening lines create a strong sensory impression of the storm outside. Images of nature—the sea, wind, and trees—convey both beauty and power. The imagery is symbolic and enhances the poem’s emotional impact, as in the line “And heard the sea‑wind scream upon the tower.”
Metaphor and Simile
Metaphor and simile connect abstract ideas with concrete images. The comparison of the daughter’s thoughts to the song of the linnet is a beautiful metaphor for simple joy and freedom. Simile appears less frequently but adds descriptive power, such as in “She can, though every face should scowl / And every windy quarter howl.”
Alliteration and Assonance
The poet uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words. Repetition of the “s” sound in “sea‑wind scream” echoes the storm, while assonance in “And every windy quarter howl” adds rhythmic quality. These devices contribute to the poem’s overall beauty and artistry.
Irony
There is subtle irony in the father’s prayer. He wishes for complete protection for his daughter, yet knows that such protection is impossible. The poem acknowledges the inevitability of suffering while still expressing hope for his daughter’s well‑being.
Structural and Formal Features
“A Prayer for My Daughter” consists of ten stanzas, each with eight lines. While the poem’s form is relatively regular, the meter and rhyme scheme vary to create a sense of fluidity and naturalness. The rhyme scheme often follows an AABCCDDC pattern, which adds musicality and allows the poem to evoke a range of emotions.
Themes and Interpretations
The poem explores themes such as the importance of beauty and virtue, the dangers of pride and vanity, and the search for inner peace and happiness. It can be seen as a meditation on the challenges of raising a child in a turbulent world and a broader commentary on the human condition.
Beauty and Virtue
The poem grapples with the relationship between beauty and virtue. It warns that excessive beauty can lead to vanity, pride, and a lack of inner substance. True worth, the poem suggests, lies in kindness, humility, and genuine connection to others.
The Role of Tradition and Ceremony
The poem emphasizes tradition and ceremony as sources of stability and meaning. These practices can ground individuals in a chaotic world and preserve a sense of continuity with the past.
The Search for Inner Peace
The poem ultimately expresses a yearning for inner peace and happiness. It suggests that this can be achieved through virtue, humility, and detachment from worldly concerns.
Conclusion
“A Prayer for My Daughter” remains a moving and complex poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Through vivid imagery, symbolic language, and profound themes, the poem offers a timeless meditation on raising a child, seeking inner peace, and the enduring power of tradition and ceremony. It is not merely a father’s prayer; it is a universal expression of love, hope, and anxiety about the future.