The Ebb and Flow
by Edward Taylor
When first thou on me, Lord, wrought’st thy sweet print,
My heart was made thy tinder box.
My affections were thy tinder in’t:
Where fell thy sparks by drops.
Those holy sparks of heavenly fire that came
Did ever catch and often out would flame.But now my heart is made thy censer trim,
Full of thy golden altar’s fire,
To offer up sweet incense in
Unto thyself entire:
I find my tinder scarce thy sparks can feel
That drop out from thy holy flint and steel.Hence doubts out bud for fear thy fire in me
It is a mocking ignis fatuus.
Or lest thine altars fire out be,
It’s hidden in ashes thus.
Yet when the bellows of thy spirit blow
Away mine ashes, then thy fire doth glow.
Summary of The Ebb and Flow
“The Ebb and Flow” by Edward Taylor, a significant colonial American poet, explores the fluctuating nature of spiritual experience. The poem vividly describes the speaker’s relationship with God, comparing the initial stages of faith to a quickly ignited tinderbox, and the later, more mature faith to a steady, fragrant censer. This isn’t a simple progression, however; the speaker wrestles with doubt, fearing that their divine spark is dwindling, becoming a deceptive and fleeting illusion—an ignis fatuus, or will-o’-the-wisp. Ultimately, the poem expresses a hopeful reliance on God’s renewing power, symbolized by the bellows of the spirit, to rekindle the flame of faith and dispel the ashes of doubt.
At its heart, “The Ebb and Flow” is a deeply personal and introspective meditation on faith, doubt, and the continuous need for divine grace. It acknowledges the natural ebb and flow of spiritual fervor, the moments of intense connection and the times when faith feels faint and fragile. The poem resonates with anyone who has experienced the complexities of belief and the persistent search for spiritual certainty.
Analysis of Poetic and Literary Devices in The Ebb and Flow
Extended Metaphor: The Central Framework
The poem’s strength lies in its sustained and complex extended metaphor. Taylor doesn’t just mention fire and incense; he builds his entire poem around them. The initial comparison of the heart to a “tinder box” and affections to “tinder” immediately establishes a sense of initial, easily ignited faith. As the poem progresses, this evolves into the “censer trim,” representing a more established, enduring devotion. This isn’t merely a decorative flourish; it dictates the imagery, language, and thematic development. Consider these lines:
But now my heart is made thy censer trim,
Full of thy golden altar’s fire,
To offer up sweet incense in
Unto thyself entire:
Here, the heart isn’t like a censer; it is a censer. This direct equation immerses the reader in the speaker’s spiritual state, emphasizing the offering of devotion and worship. The shift from a quick spark to sustained burning mirrors the journey from initial conversion to a lifelong commitment to faith.
Imagery: Painting the Spiritual Landscape
Taylor masterfully employs vivid imagery throughout the poem. The imagery of fire, sparks, incense, and ashes is not just visually evocative but deeply symbolic. Fire traditionally represents divine presence, passion, and purification. The “sparks” signify the initial moments of religious awakening, while the “incense” symbolizes the fragrant offering of praise and worship. The contrast between the radiant fire and the dull “ashes” underscores the speaker’s anxieties about losing their faith. Note how these lines create a sensory experience:
Those holy sparks of heavenly fire that came
Did ever catch and often out would flame.
The words “catch” and “flame” are active and dynamic, conveying the intensity of the speaker’s early spiritual experience. This sensory detail helps the reader viscerally understand the power of the speaker’s initial faith.
Symbolism: Layers of Meaning
Beyond the central fire and incense metaphor, several elements carry symbolic weight. The “flint and steel” represent God’s active role in igniting and sustaining faith. The “bellows” of the spirit are a powerful symbol of divine intervention, representing God’s ability to rekindle the flame when it threatens to die out. The ashes aren’t simply the remnants of a fire; they embody doubt, despair, and the fear of spiritual emptiness. The use of ignis fatuus—will-o’-the-wisp— is particularly potent. It symbolizes a deceptive illusion, the speaker’s fear that their faith is merely a fleeting fancy, leading them astray. This complex layering of symbolism gives the poem depth and resonance.
Alliteration and Assonance: Musicality and Emphasis
Taylor skillfully employs sound devices like alliteration and assonance to create a musical effect and emphasize certain phrases. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears in lines such as “for fear thy fire” drawing attention to the speaker’s anxiety. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is also subtly present, contributing to the poem’s lyrical quality. Consider these examples:
- Assonance: “My heart was made thy tinder box.” (repetition of the short ‘a’ sound)
- Alliteration: “ashes thus”
These subtle uses of sound enhance the poem’s aesthetic appeal and contribute to its overall rhythm.
Enjambment: Flow and Uncertainty
Taylor makes frequent use of enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause—to create a sense of flow and continuity. However, it also mirrors the speaker’s uncertainty. The unresolved lines leave the reader suspended, reflecting the speaker’s own unsettled state. Consider this excerpt:
It’s hidden in ashes thus.
Yet when the bellows of thy spirit blow
Away mine ashes, then thy fire doth glow.
The thought doesn’t complete until the third line, creating a sense of anticipation and release that parallels the speaker’s hope for renewal.
Quotes for Discussion and Reflection
These lines from “The Ebb and Flow” are particularly powerful for engaging in deeper analysis or using as prompts for reflection:
But now my heart is made thy censer trim,
Full of thy golden altar’s fire,
To offer up sweet incense in
Unto thyself entire.
This passage encapsulates the poem’s central metaphor and emphasizes the speaker’s dedication to offering their whole being as worship. It’s a beautiful expression of spiritual devotion and a fitting conclusion to any exploration of Taylor’s masterful poem.
“The Ebb and Flow” is a profound exploration of faith, doubt, and the continuous search for spiritual renewal. By skillfully employing poetic and literary devices, Edward Taylor creates a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.