In “Meditatio,” Pound uses symbolism to describe his attitude towards the
human race. He expresses that man is on the same level as a dog.
In Pound’s view, when one only considers dogs, it is a definite fact that
man is superior, given some of the actions of dogs. However, when you
look at the whole picture, and consider the crazy actions of humans as well,
it is suddenly not as obvious who is more intelligent. “When I
consider the curious habits of man/ I confess, my friend, I am puzzled.”
What Pound is saying is that although dogs may seem inferior to humans, when one thinks
about everything that humans do, you begin to wonder who is really better.
He explains, in concise, clear, Imagist style that he feels that humans,
because of our many strange and pointless habits, are not necessarily
superior to animals.
Meditatio by Ezra Pound
When I carefully consider the curious habits of dogs,
I am compelled to conclude
That man is the superior animal.
When I consider the curious habits of man,
I confess, my friend, I am puzzled.
If they think they ha’ snared our Goodly Fere
They are fools to the last degree.
“I’ll go to the feast,” quo’ our Goodly Fere,
“Though I go to the gallows tree.
Ye ha’ seen me heal the lame and blind,
And wake the dead,” says he,
“Ye shall see one thing to master all: 'Tis how a brave man dies on the tree.
In these two stanzas, the reader can see how Pound shortens words to maintain a flow and controls the rhythm so that each stanza compliments itself and the other stanzas. Also, one notices the descriptive words and phrasing; instead of writing “said our Goodly Fere,” Pound chooses to write “quo’ our Goodly Fere,” and instead of simply saying a “crucifixion cross” or something similar, he calls it a “gallows tree,” which is much more descriptive and gives the reader a more vivid image. The way that poets control the flow of their poems can determine whether or not the reader will enjoy the poem. Pound demonstrates his ability to create an enjoyable, descriptive poem that flows like a river.
Ballad of the Goodly Fere
Ezra Pound
Ha' we lost the goodliest fere o' all
For the priests and the gallows tree?
Aye lover he was of brawny men,
O' ships and the open sea.
When they came wi' a host to take Our Man
His smile was good to see,
"First let these go!" quo' our Goodly Fere,
"Or I'll see ye damned," says he.
Aye he sent us out through the crossed high spears
And the scorn of his laugh rang free,
"Why took ye not me when I walked about
Alone in the town?" says he.
Oh we drank his "Hale" in the good red wine
When we last made company,
No capon priest was the Goodly Fere
But a man o' men was he.
I ha' seen him drive a hundred men
Wi' a bundle o' cords swung free,
That they took the high and holy house
For their pawn and treasury.
They'll no' get him a' in a book I think
Though they write it cunningly;
No mouse of the scrolls was the Goodly Fere
But aye loved the open sea.
If they think they ha' snared our Goodly Fere
They are fools to the last degree.
"I'll go to the feast," quo' our Goodly Fere,
"Though I go to the gallows tree."
"Ye ha' seen me heal the lame and blind,
And wake the dead," says he,
"Ye shall see one thing to master all:
'Tis how a brave man dies on the tree."
A son of God was the Goodly Fere
That bade us his brothers be.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men.
I have seen him upon the tree.
He cried no cry when they drave the nails
And the blood gushed hot and free,
The hounds of the crimson sky gave tongue
But never a cry cried he.
I ha' seen him cow a thousand men
On the hills o' Galilee,
They whined as he walked out calm between,
Wi' his eyes like the grey o' the sea,
Like the sea that brooks no voyaging
With the winds unleashed and free,
Like the sea that he cowed at Genseret
Wi' twey words spoke' suddently.
A master of men was the Goodly Fere,
A mate of the wind and sea,
If they think they ha' slain our Goodly Fere
They are fools eternally.
I ha' seen him eat o' the honey-comb Sin' they nailed him to the tree.