She passed the salley gardens with little snow-white feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree;
But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree.
In a field by the river my love and I did stand,
And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white hand.
She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs;
But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.
Poem Analysis:
"Down by the Salley Gardens" by William Butler Yeats is a poignant and evocative poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
Setting and Atmosphere: The poem opens with a vivid depiction of a serene and tranquil setting - the Salley Gardens. This natural landscape serves as a backdrop for the speaker's reflections on love and life. The mention of "little snow-white feet" and "snow-white hand" adds to the imagery of purity and innocence.
Meeting with Love: The speaker recalls a meeting with their love in the Salley Gardens, suggesting a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past romantic encounter. The repetition of the phrase "my love and I did meet" emphasizes the significance of this moment in the speaker's memory.
Advice from Love: The speaker's love advises them to "take love easy" and "take life easy," using natural imagery of leaves growing on trees and grass growing on the weirs to convey a sense of patience and acceptance. This advice suggests a wisdom and maturity that the speaker, in their youth and folly, fails to heed.
Youthful Foolishness: Despite the gentle counsel of their love, the speaker admits to being "young and foolish" and unable to agree or heed the advice given. This youthful stubbornness and recklessness ultimately lead to regret and sorrow.
Loss and Regret: The poem concludes with a sense of lamentation as the speaker reflects on their past actions. The image of standing in a field by the river, with the weight of their love's hand on their shoulder, evokes a profound sense of loss and longing. The speaker acknowledges their foolishness and expresses remorse, ending the poem with the poignant admission that they are now "full of tears."
Musicality and Language: Yeats's use of language and imagery imbues the poem with a lyrical quality, enhancing its emotional resonance. The repetition of phrases and the musicality of the verses contribute to the poem's haunting and melancholic atmosphere, evoking a sense of wistfulness and longing.
Themes: "Down by the Salley Gardens" explores themes of love, youth, folly, and regret. It highlights the fleeting nature of romantic relationships and the consequences of failing to appreciate and cherish love when it is given.
In conclusion, "Down by the Salley Gardens" is a poignant and introspective poem that captures the bittersweet emotions associated with love and loss. Through its evocative imagery and lyrical language, the poem invites readers to reflect on the transient nature of human relationships and the importance of cherishing love before it is too late.
