When I Was One-and-Twenty
by A. E. Houseman
When I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say,
“Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free.”
But I was one-and-twenty,
No use to talk to me.When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again,
“The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain;
’Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue.”
And I am two-and-twenty,
And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true.
Summary of When I Was One-and-Twenty
- The Essence of the Poem: A.E. Houseman’s “When I Was One-and-Twenty” is a lyrical poem that explores youthful arrogance, the lessons of experience, and the lasting impact of emotional vulnerability. The poem was published in 1896 as part of the collection A Shropshire Lad and recounts a conversation between a young man and a wiser, older figure.
- Central Idea and Narrative: The wise man advises that emotional well‑being should be prioritized over material wealth. He encourages the young man to give away possessions freely but to guard his heart carefully. The young man dismisses this advice at first, but a year later, after experiencing the pain of lost love, he recognizes the truth in the wise man’s words.
- Key Themes: The poem contrasts youthful naivete with seasoned wisdom, underscoring that emotional attachments, while enriching, carry the risk of heartbreak. Protecting one’s heart becomes a vital form of self‑preservation, a lesson learned through personal hardship.
Analysis of When I Was One-and-Twenty
A Study in Contrasts: Youth and Wisdom
The poem’s structure immediately establishes a contrast. The repeated opening line, “When I was one-and-twenty,” places the reader in the perspective of a young man who feels invincible. This youthful arrogance is swiftly juxtaposed with the measured wisdom of the “wise man.” The very phrasing, “wise man,” signals a character shaped by experience, a stark counterpoint to the boy who believes he has all the answers. The poem isn’t simply telling us this contrast; it shows us through the dialogue and the young man’s eventual acknowledgement of his mistake.
The Value of Emotional Currency
The core of the wise man’s advice—“Give crowns and pounds and guineas / But not your heart away; / Give pearls away and rubies / But keep your fancy free”—is a powerful statement on the relative value of material possessions versus emotional well‑being. Houseman uses concrete imagery of wealth—crowns, pounds, guineas, pearls, and rubies—to emphasize that even these tangible riches are less important than safeguarding one’s heart. The use of “fancy” is noteworthy; it speaks to imagination, dreams, and the capacity for joy, all things that are precious and easily damaged.
The Inevitability of Pain
The second stanza introduces a darker, more realistic perspective. The wise man’s second piece of advice, “The heart out of the bosom / Was never given in vain; / ’Tis paid with sighs a plenty / And sold for endless rue,” acknowledges that giving one’s heart will lead to pain. Yet the poem suggests it is not a waste. The “sighs a plenty” and “endless rue” represent the inevitable consequences of love and loss, but the experience itself is valuable. Even heartbreak offers a lesson, deepening understanding.
The Power of Hindsight
The final lines, “And I am two-and-twenty, / And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true,” are poignant. The repetition of “’tis true” emphasizes the young man’s belated realization. It is not a triumphant declaration but a resigned acceptance of truth. The shift from “I was” to “I am” signals the young man’s passage into a more mature understanding of life.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “When I Was One-and-Twenty”
Sound Devices
- Assonance: The repetition of the short “e” sound in “keep your fancy free” creates a sense of lightness and fragility.
- Alliteration: The repetition of the “h” sound in “heard him say” adds emphasis and draws attention to the wise man’s words.
- Consonance: The repeated “s” sound in “sighs a plenty” mimics the sound of sorrow and emphasizes the emotional weight of heartbreak.
Structural and Stylistic Devices
- Enjambment: The frequent use of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next, creates a natural, conversational rhythm. For example, “Give crowns and pounds and guineas / But not your heart away;” encourages a quick reading pace and mirrors the flow of spoken dialogue.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, particularly in the descriptions of wealth and emotional pain. Images such as “crowns and pounds” and “sighs a plenty” appeal to the senses and create a vivid emotional landscape.
- Symbolism: The material possessions—pearls, rubies, guineas—symbolize worldly wealth, while the “heart” represents emotional vulnerability and capacity for love.
- Refrain: The repeated phrase “When I was one-and-twenty” functions as a refrain, anchoring the poem in the young man’s perspective and highlighting his journey from naivete to understanding.
- Rhyme Scheme: The ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and musicality, contributing to the poem’s overall cohesion.
Stanza Form
Each stanza consists of eight lines, a common form known as an octave. This structured form provides a framework for the poem’s exploration of its central themes.
“Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free.”