Critical Analysis of Song : Weep You No More, Sad
Fountains- Anonymous
Content
The poem opens, using an apostrophe in an address to a fountain, which could have been an inspiration for the
poem or the sight of person going through sad moment, probably weeping profusely. The second analogy is a
mountain covered in snow and being melted by the sun, releasing a deluge of water compared to tears. The poem
from the fifth verse introduces a contrast to the sad ambiance of the fountains, this time round, a positive suns
heavenly eyes is introduced which symbolises the supreme spiritual powers from the celestial realm, which does not
accord any respect and recognition to the persona sorrowful state. The celestial realm also presents itself
contrastively as a citadel of peace and this continues till the last line of the stanza, captured in softly, now softly lies
Sleeping. The second stanza continues the stressing of the last point mentioned, dwelling on the benefits of having a
peace of mind and as such, seeing sleep as a process of reconciling with nature .More examples of gaiety is drawn
from the sun rise smiling, even in the dark covered evening. The ambiance of peacefulness created in the first stanza
is recreated.
Themes
Sorrow
Gaiety
Positive Side of Death
Form and Structure
The poem is a lyrical one with 2 stanzas, of 9 lines each. The first stanza exhorts and pacifies the unseen persona to
jettison her crying, drawing inferences from nature, known for its peacefulness and tranquillity. The second stanza
dwells more on the positive side of rest, this time round, the beauty of sleep or death which is a process of man
reconciling with his maker or nature.
Imagery and Other Literary Devices
The metaphorical reference to sad fountains in the opening line of the poem draws attention to the plight of the
sorrowful persona and the profuse depth of her agony, which could only be compared to the deluge of tears being
released. The contrast of the healing substance of nature is introduced in heavens sun doth gently waste and suns
heavenly eyes. Other imageries used generously in the poem tend towards the positive atmosphere the poet intends
to create, to subsume the negative ones in Heavens sun doth gently waste, Suns heavenly eyes etc.
Sounds
The poem maintains a solemn and cautious feel almost throughout the poem and this is mostly achieved through
ample use of end-stops at the end of most lines in the poem. However enjambments have almost equal application
in a poem, that is supposed to be sorrowful. The effect of this is the calming effect meant to mitigate the sadness of
the poem. One would have expected a lot of caesuras in the poem, but this is not the case. Where they appear, they
create a lasting effect, as seen in the opening line, where rhetorical question is put to effective use in pricking the
conscience of the persona, on the rationale behind her agony. The next caesuras appear in the second to the last
verse of the first stanza, where a mellowing effect is created to douse a sorrowful atmosphere. The same effect and
repetition is achieved in the last and second stanza. Thus, the repetition in the poem serves as a refrain to establish
the soothing effect of tranquillity, over the sadness of tears. One could claim that the alliteration used in s attempts
to create a light atmosphere of gaiety.
Voice, Tone, Mood, Atmosphere
The pervading atmosphere in the poem is that of sorrow, occasioned by agonizing tears of the persona. Even the
pacifying tone of the poem, further creates a melancholy feeling and mood. However, the second stanza attempts to
be more pacifying, with the introduction of the tone of the positive side of sleep.
Diction/Vocabulary
Being a lyrical poem, the poem utilises simple diction, exemplified by mostly mono-syllabic words. To create a vivid
effect, the poem mostly applies present continuous tense, which also rhymes to form couplets
in weeping and sleeping in the first stanza and repeatedly used for the same effect in the second stanza.
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