The Song of Wandering Aengus
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth‑like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire a‑flame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
Summary of The Song of Wandering Aengus
“The Song of Wandering Aengus” is a lyrical poem by William Butler Yeats, first published in 1899 as part of his collection, The Wind Among the Reeds. It follows a man who, driven by a restless spirit, ventures into a hazel wood. There he makes a wand and uses a berry as bait, catching a silver trout that soon transforms into an ethereal girl. She calls him by name and then vanishes, leaving him to chase a dream that may never be fulfilled.
At its heart, the poem explores love, longing, and the pursuit of the unattainable. It captures the fleeting nature of beauty and the enduring power of desire, offering a meditation on the human search for meaning in a world full of mystery and impermanence.
Analysis of The Song of Wandering Aengus
The Initial Quest and Creation of Magic
The poem opens with a sense of inner unrest. The phrase “a fire in my head” signals a restless, almost tormented mind. The speaker is not seeking calm; he is driven to the hazel wood. This inner fire fuels his actions: “And cut and peeled a hazel wand, / And hooked a berry to a thread.” The act of crafting the wand and bait is more than practical; it feels ritualistic, setting the stage for something extraordinary.
The imagery in the opening stanza is vivid and evocative. The hazel wood, steeped in Celtic mythology, hints at wisdom and the Otherworld. White moths and moth‑like stars create a dreamy atmosphere that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The fishing scene, normally a pursuit of sustenance, becomes a conduit for magic. The silver trout is no ordinary fish; it is a harbinger of wonder.
The Transformation and Fleeting Encounter
The poem’s turning point arrives when the trout becomes “a glimmering girl / With apple blossom in her hair.” This transformation is both unexpected and breathtaking, suggesting an otherworldly being. The apple blossoms evoke youth and spring, yet also hint at fragility and ephemerality.
The encounter is swift. She calls the speaker’s name and then “ran / And faded through the brightening air.” No dialogue, no lingering contact—just a fleeting glimpse of beauty. This emphasizes the poem’s central theme: the unattainable desire that lingers after the moment has passed.
The Enduring Quest and Symbolic Imagery
In the final stanza, the focus shifts from the brief meeting to the speaker’s lifelong search. Despite his age and years of wandering, his longing remains undiminished. The repetition of “I will find out where she has gone” underscores his determination while also highlighting the futility of the pursuit.
Symbolism is rich in this stanza. “Silver apples of the moon” and “golden apples of the sun” represent ultimate goals—perfect, beautiful, immortal objects. The act of “pluck[ing] them till time and times are done” suggests an endless, perhaps impossible, quest. It is less about acquiring these treasures and more about the persistent desire that propels the search, creating a cycle of longing and pursuit.
Literary and Poetic Devices at Play
Yeats skillfully employs several devices that give the poem its enchantment and resonance:
- Imagery: Vivid pictures evoke a dreamlike setting.
- Symbolism: The trout, the apple blossom, and the apples all carry deep meaning.
- Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds, as in “white moths were on the wing,” give a musical quality.
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds, such as in “time and times are done,” enhances lyrical flow.
- Enjambment: Lines that continue into the next create momentum.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent pattern that adds structure and musicality.
- Meter: The work predominantly uses iambic tetrameter, creating a gentle rhythm.
These techniques combine to produce a poem that is not only beautiful to read but also profoundly resonant, exploring universal themes that linger in the reader’s mind.
“The Song of Wandering Aengus” remains a timeless masterpiece, captivating readers with its lyrical beauty, evocative imagery, and deep exploration of love, longing, and the endless human quest for the unattainable. It invites reflection on our own desires and the fleeting nature of beauty in a world shrouded in mystery.