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Life (Poem)

Class 10 | English | Unit 1 | Poem

Let me but live my life from year to year, With forward face and unreluctant soul; Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal; Not mourning for the things that disappear In the dim past, nor holding back in fear From what the future veils; but with a whole And happy heart, that pays its toll To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer. So let the way wind up the hill or down, O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy: Still seeking what I sought when but a boy, New friendship, high adventure, and a crown, My heart will keep the courage of the quest, And hope the road's last turn will be the best. ✍️ About the Poet Henry Van Dyke (1852 – 1933)

Henry Van Dyke was an American author, poet, educator, and clergyman. He served as a professor of English literature at Princeton University between 1899 and 1923. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received many other honours.

📖 Glossary

mourning (v) feeling or expressing great sadness veils (v) to hide or cover something so that you cannot see it clearly or understand it crown (n) a prize or position offered for being the best quest (n) a long search for something that is difficult to find unreluctant* (adj.) willing to do something (*This form is generally not used but the poet has coined it for emphasis) Sonnet

The word sonnet is derived from the Italian word "sonetto," which means a 'little song' or 'small lyric'. In poetry, a sonnet has 14 lines, and is written in 'iambic pentameter' (A line with ten syllables, accented on every second beat). The first eight lines of a sonnet is known as "octave" and the last six lines is known as "sestet". Sonnets can be categorized on the basis of their rhyme scheme.

Exercise A Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow. Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;

a. Whom does the word 'me' refer to?

b. What kind of life does the poet want to lead?

Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear

a. Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?

b. What should one not mourn for?

In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

a. What does the poet mean by the phrase 'in the dim past'?

b. Is the poet afraid of future?

c. How can one travel on with cheer?

So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,

a. How is the way of life?

b. How should be the journey of life?

c. What did the poet seek as a boy?

My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road's last turn will be the best.

a. What kind of quest does the poet seek here?

b. What is the poet's hope?

In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

a. Identify the rhyming words of the given lines.

Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear

a. Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.

Exercise B Answer the following question in about 80 – 100 words.

1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.

The poet wants to live his life , willing to do something. He neither wants from his goal. He does not want to the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from . Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes , rough or smooth, the journey will be . He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy - new friendship, and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life's journey will be the best.

Read and Enjoy

Sea Fever

by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. 📋 Summary

The poem "Life" by Henry Van Dyke is a sonnet that expresses the poet's philosophy of living life with courage and optimism.
The poet desires to live life willingly, without fear, not mourning the past or being anxious about the future.
He believes in maintaining a positive attitude throughout life's journey, whether it goes uphill or downhill, rough or smooth.
The poet continues to seek the same things he wanted as a boy: new friendship, high adventure, and recognition (crown).
The poem emphasizes the importance of hope, courage, and maintaining the spirit of quest throughout one's life journey.