Love's Usury
By Gilbert Parker
Here count I over all the gentle deeds
Which thou hast done; here summon I thy words,
Sweeter to me than sweetest song of birds;
That came like grace immortal to my needs.
Love's usury has reckoned such a sum
Of my indebtedness, that I can make
No lien large enough to overtake
Its value — and before it I am dumb!
Yet, O my gracious, most kind creditor,
I would not owe to thee one item less
We cannot give the sun requital for
Its liberal light; our office is to bless.
If blessings could be compassed by my prayer,
High heaven should set star-gems in thy hair.
Poem Analysis:
Gilbert Parker’s poem "Love’s Usury" is an eloquent meditation on the profound sense of gratitude and indebtedness one feels towards a beloved who has bestowed countless acts of kindness and affection. The poem explores the theme of love as a form of spiritual and emotional currency, one that accrues a debt that can never be fully repaid but must be acknowledged and cherished.
Theme and Content
The central theme of "Love’s Usury" revolves around the concept of love as a generous and bountiful force, creating a sense of indebtedness in the recipient. This indebtedness, however, is not a burden but a source of deep appreciation and reverence for the beloved.
- Gratitude and Reflection: The poem opens with the speaker counting the "gentle deeds" and "words" of the beloved, which are described as "sweeter...than sweetest song of birds." This initial reflection sets the tone of deep gratitude and admiration for the beloved's actions and words, which have provided the speaker with immense comfort and joy.
- Indebtedness and Usury: The metaphor of "Love’s usury" introduces the idea that love, like a financial loan, creates a debt that the speaker feels unable to repay: "Love’s usury has reckoned such a sum / Of my indebtedness." This financial metaphor highlights the immense value of the beloved’s love and the speaker’s acknowledgment of their inability to fully reciprocate.
- Silence and Awe: The speaker expresses a sense of being "dumb" before the magnitude of their indebtedness, signifying awe and reverence for the beloved: "I can make / No lien large enough to overtake / Its value — and before it I am dumb!" This silence is not due to a lack of words but a recognition of the profound impact of the beloved's love.
- Acceptance and Blessing: The speaker accepts their indebtedness with grace, comparing it to the impossibility of repaying the sun for its light: "We cannot give the sun requital for / Its liberal light; our office is to bless." This acceptance reflects a humble acknowledgment that some debts are beyond repayment and must instead be met with gratitude and blessing.
- Prayer and Aspiration: The poem concludes with a prayer for the beloved’s happiness and honor: "If blessings could be compassed by my prayer, / High heaven should set star-gems in thy hair." This final imagery of celestial adornment signifies the speaker’s wish for the beloved to be eternally honored and cherished, much like a deity.
Imagery and Tone
The poem employs rich and evocative imagery, particularly through metaphors and similes that elevate the theme of love’s immeasurable value. The comparison of the beloved’s words to birdsong and the sun’s light underscores the natural and essential nature of their love. The tone is one of reverence, humility, and deep appreciation, reflecting the speaker’s profound respect and gratitude.
Structure and Style
"Love’s Usury" is structured as a sonnet, with a clear rhyme scheme and rhythmic flow that enhances its lyrical quality. The formal structure complements the theme of indebtedness and gratitude, suggesting a thoughtful and measured reflection on the nature of love.
Parker’s style is characterized by its use of metaphors and elevated language, which imbue the poem with a sense of timelessness and universality. The juxtaposition of financial and natural imagery serves to highlight the contrast between material and spiritual wealth, emphasizing the latter’s greater significance.
Gilbert Parker’s "Love’s Usury" is a poignant exploration of the profound sense of indebtedness and gratitude that love can evoke. Through rich imagery, a reverent tone, and a structured form, the poem captures the essence of love as a bountiful and generous force that creates a debt beyond repayment. The speaker’s acceptance of this debt with grace and the wish for the beloved’s eternal honor reflect a deep appreciation for the transformative power of love. Parker’s meditation on love’s usury invites readers to recognize and cherish the immeasurable value of the love they receive, acknowledging it as a blessing that transcends material measures.