Sic transit gloria mundi
"How doth the busy bee"
Dum vivamus vivamus
I stay mine enemy! —
Oh veni vidi vici!
Oh caput cap-a-pie!
And oh "memento mori"
When I am far from thee
Hurrah for Peter Parley
Hurrrah for Daniel Boone
Three cheers sir, for the gentleman
Who first observed the moon —
Peter put up the sunshine!
Pattie arrange the stars
Tell Luna, tea is waiting
And call your brother Mars —
Put down the apple Adam
And come away with me
So shal't thou have a pippin
From off my Father's tree!
I climb the "Hill of Science"
I "view the Landscape o'er"
Such transcendental prospect
I ne'er beheld before! —
Unto the Legislature
My country bids me go,
I'll take my india rubbers
In case the wind should blow.
During my education
It was announced to me
That gravitation stumbling
Fell from an apple tree —
The Earth opon it's axis
Was once supposed to turn
By way of a gymnastic
In honor to the sun —
It was the brave Columbus
A sailing o'er the tide
Who notified the nations
Of where I would reside
Mortality is fatal
Gentility is fine
Rascality, heroic
Insolvency, sublime
Our Fathers being weary
Laid down on Bunker Hill
And though full many a morn'g
Yet they are sleeping still
The trumpet sir, shall wake them
In streams I see them rise
Each with a solem musket
A marching to the skies!
A coward will remain, Sir,
Until the fight is done;
But an immortal hero
Will take his hat and run.
Good bye Sir, I am going
My country calleth me
Allow me Sir, at parting
To wipe my weeping e'e
In token of our friendship
Accept this "Bonnie Doon"
And when the hand that pluck'd it
Hath passed beyond the moon
The memory of my ashes
Will consolation be
Then farewell Tuscarora
And farewell Sir, to thee.
[edit] Version 2
"Sic transit gloria mundi,"
"How doth the busy bee,"
"Dum vivimus vivamus,"
I stay mine enemy! —
Oh "veni, vidi, vici!"
Oh caput cap-a-pie!
And oh "memento mori"
When I am far from thee!
Hurrah for Peter Parley!
Hurrrah for Daniel Boone!
Three cheers, sir, for the gentleman
Who first observed the moon!
Peter, put up the sunshine;
Pattie, arrange the stars;
Tell Luna, tea is waiting,
And call your brother Mars!
Put down the apple, Adam,
And come away with me,
So shalt thou have a pippin
From off my father's tree!
I climb the "Hill of Science,"
I "view the landscape o'er;"
Such transcendental prospect,
I ne'er beheld before! —
Unto the Legislature
My country bids me go;
I'll take my india rubbers,
In case the wind should blow!
During my education,
It was announced to me
That gravitation, stumbling
Fell from an apple tree!
The earth opon an axis
Was once supposed to turn,
By way of a gymnastic
In honor of the sun!
It was the brave Columbus,
A sailing o'er the tide,
Who notified the nations
Of where I would reside!
Mortality is fatal—
Gentility is fine
Rascality, heroic,
Insolvency, sublime
Our Fathers being weary,
Laid down on Bunker Hill;
And tho' full many a morning,
Yet they are sleeping still,—
The trumpet, sir, shall wake them,
In dreams I see them rise,
Each with a solem musket
A marching to the skies!
A coward will remain, Sir,
Until the fight is done;
But an immortal hero
Will take his hat, and run!
Good bye Sir, I am going;
My country calleth me;
Allow me, Sir, at parting,
To wipe my weeping e'e.
In token of our friendship
Accept this "Bonnie Doon,"
And when the hand that plucked it
Hath passed beyond the moon,
The memory of my ashes
Will consolation be;
Then farewell Tuscarora,
And farewell, Sir, to thee!
Going to have to go back to latin class and research some of these latin terms employed by Miss Emily. The title of the poem is latin! So here we go and try to find the exact meaning to the poem without the back story. (Oh I wish!)
The translation from the latin title of the poem "Sic transit gloria mundi" by Emily Dickinson is "This passes the glory of the world" refers to the old adage "worldly things are fleeting". A phrase from Thomas Kempis' "Imitation of Christ" 1418 may be the suggested borrowing.
"O quam cito transit gloria mundi" ("How quickly the glory of the world passes away").
The next latin phrase; "dum vivimus, vivamus" translates to "While we live, let us live!" An encouragement to embrace life. The Motto inscribed on the sword of the main character in the novel "Glory Road".* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_phrases:_D
Oh I remember vini vedi vici! I came, I saw, I conquered? Now let's find out if I'm correct!I am! Wow!
"Veni, vidi, vici" (Classical Latin: [ˈweːniː ˈwiːdiː ˈwiːkiː]; Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈvɛni ˈvidi ˈvitʃi]; I came, I saw, I conquered.) is a famous Latin sentence reportedly written by Julius Caesar in 47 BC as a comment on his short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus."*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veni,_vidi,_vici
Next! Caput! Could be slang for "done" or it is actually latin with three possible meanings: I would think the first is the one that Miss Emily is employing, however, I will check with the context to see if this is, in fact, the true meaning of the word.
"Caput is the term used to describe the central manor in an agricultural estate[1].
Caput is the name of the council or ruling body of the University of Cambridge prior to the constitution of 1856.
Caput baronium is the seat of a barony in Scotland"*
Haha! Not the "Kaput" which I thought may have been a pun by Miss Emily (but you never know). Here is the punsters meaning of kaput and synchronistically, it is not caput according to caput in the dictionary!
"Caput is not to be confused with "kaput," which means "destroyed" or "broken" in German (where it is correctly spelled "kaputt")."
Haha! I didnt figure that! (duh).
Now what is "cap-a-pie"?
"Sir Hercules Paraguay, exported to Australia, dam of Sir Hercules (1843 by Cap-a-Pie, a good sire) and Whalebone (1844, another good sire)" A Horse? A sire Horse is Cap-a-Pie? Sir Hercules (by Cap-a-Pie (GB)) was one of the best colonial sires, having sired 18 stakeswinners for 45 stakeswins including, Yattendon, Cossack and Zoe.[2] The Barb was sold for 200 guineas as a yearling"* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Barb
So Now I have to study horse-racing as well just to get the "gist" of the idea that Cap-a-pie was a grandsire from Great Britian and Sir Hercules his progeny was a thoroughbred horse who won race in Australia in 18 THE COLONIAL TIMES same time as Miss Emily! Ok! Phew! Here is some more interesting detail about this incredible grandsire's progeny: Look at the races this horse won back in the day; c 1865!
And this horse Hercules did quite well! Oh YES!
"Nursery Stakes (1865)
AJC Derby (1866)
Melbourne Cup (1866)
Australasian Champion Stakes (1866)
Launceston Town Plate (1867)
Port Phillip Stakes (1867)
Sydney Cup (1867, 1868)
Craven Plate (1868)
VRC Royal Park Stakes (1868)
AJC Metropolitan Handicap (1868)
Queens Plate (1868)
Honours
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Horse (Equus ferus caballus"*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Barb
Wow! Eh?! Now for some more latin phrases; here's an interesting one;
"Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as "Remember you must die". It names a genre of artistic creations that vary widely from one another, but which all share the same purpose: to remind people of their own mortality. The phrase has a tradition in art that dates back to antiquity."*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori
Oops I found some more information about how this term "memento mori" may have inpact in the Puritanical times of Emily Dickinson. Please read more about this terms influence during Emily's times;
"Puritan America
Colonial American art saw a large amount of "memento mori" images in their art because of their puritan influence. The Puritan community in 17th century North America looked down upon art because they believed it drew the faithful away from God, and if away from God, then it could only lead to the devil. However, portraits were considered historical records, and as such they were allowed. Thomas Smith, a 17th century Puritan, fought in many naval battles, and also painted. In his painting Self-Portrait we see a typical puritan "memento mori" with a skull, suggesting his imminent death.
The poem under the skull is a common puritanical poem which emphasizes Smith's acceptance of death:
Why why should I the World be minding, Therein a World of Evils Finding. Then Farwell World: Farwell thy jarres, thy Joies thy Toies thy Wiles thy Warrs. Truth Sounds Retreat: I am not sorye. The Eternall Drawes to him my heart, By Faith (which can thy Force Subvert) To Crowne me (after Grace) with Glory."*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori
Now, who is the man Peter Parlay mentioned in Miss Emily's poem? This is a psuedonym. Peter Parlay is "Samuel Griswold GoodrichSamuel Griswold Goodrich (August 19, 1793 – May 9, 1860) was an American author, better known under the pseudonym Peter Parley."*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Parley
"In 1857 he published Recollections of a Lifetime, which contains a list both of the works of which he was the author or editor and of the spurious works published under his name. By his writings and publications he amassed a large fortune. He was elected a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1836, and of the state Senate in 1837, his competitor in the last election being Alexander H. Everett, and in 1851-1853 he was consul at Paris, where he remained till 1855, taking advantage of his stay to have several of his works translated into French. At the end of his consulship, he was presented with a commemorative medal.[1]
He returned to America and, in 1859, he published Illustrated History of the Animal Kingdom. He died in New York."*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Parley
So I can tell this poem analyses will take awhile. I am going for a nap and will get back to it in the a.m. Hope you are enjoying discovering Emily Dickinson's poem "Sic transit gloria mundi' with me...more to follow tomorrow (didnt think it would take this long, but I guess I like doing things the hard way; there are probably scads of analyses on this poem already, but I like digging I guess...anyone knows the webpage where I can find such analyses of these poems, it would save me SCADS of time! Thanks!
Back to the study! I am getting the feeling that Miss Emily is trying to convey her life and times in these many peopled and accentuating on her knowledge of Latin from Amherst College, Amherst, MA.
This morning I am trying to find out the significance of these persons in her poem and in her life, obviously. We all know the personnage of Daniel Boone, I will include detail here;
"Born October 22, 1734(1734-10-22)
November 2, 1734(1734-11-02) N.S.
Daniel Boone Homestead, Oley Valley, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Died September 26, 1820 (aged 85)
Nathan Boone's house, Femme Osage Creek, Missouri
Resting place Old Bryan Farm graveyard, Missouri according to The Boone Family book by Hazel Atterbury Spraker
Signature
Daniel Boone' (October 22 [November 2 new style], 1734 – September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky (Kentucky), which was then beyond the western borders of the settled part of Thirteen Colonies (This region legally belonged to both the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the American Indian Tribes.)"* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone Much more on Boone later as this is an extensive study (as is Patti). Today we will skim over the amass of details here; none the wiser unfortunately!
This morning I discovered a flash from the past! I had absolutely no idea as to the opera singer Adelina Patti. Do you know how many Patti with the first name "Patti" but only one special opera singer from Miss Emily's time who's last name is "Patti" (phew!). So it is obviously, this last name use only by Miss Emily is in fact The Patti! The Opera Diva! Listen to her singing here;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDWy0NKQXZ8&feature=related
Here is Adelina Patti, Diva extraordinaire's brief bio;
"Born 10 February 1843
Madrid, Spain
Died 27 September 1919 (age 76)
Genres Opera, Traditional music
Occupations Coloratura soprano
Years active 1859-1906
Labels Gramophone and Typewriter Company
Associated acts Home! Sweet Home!, Lucia, Amina, Violetta, Zerlina, Rosina
Adelina Patti (February 10, 1843 –September 27, 1919) was a highly acclaimed 19th century opera diva, earning huge fees at the height of her career.
Along with Jenny Lind, Thérèse Tietjens and Christina Nilsson, Patti remains one of the most famous sopranos in history due to the pure beauty of her lyric voice and the unsurpassed quality of her bel canto technique. The composer Giuseppe Verdi was not alone in calling her the greatest vocalist that he ever heard."
Well I have definitely heard of Jenny Lind! The single and the cradle style! Of course! How utterly fascinating this quest! Now we have to put it all together to make cognizant sense of this poem! Help!
After going to Youtube and listening to the divine Adelina Patti probably like Madonna today, I feel, somewhat more attached to the personage of Miss Emily. Understanding her world and times. Thank-you Miss Emily for introducing me to this great!
"Three cheers for the gentleman who first discovered the moon"
Would that be another Operatic reference? Or from Miss Emily astronomy studies at Amherst College? The first "gentleman" to see craters would have been Galileo Galilei the inventor of the telescope in Italy 1600's Italian Renaissance period?
"Portrait of Galileo Galilei by Giusto Sustermans
Born 15 February 1564(1564-02-15)[1]
Pisa,[1] Duchy of Florence, Italy
Died 8 January 1642 (aged 77)[1]
Arcetri,[1] Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Italy
Notes
His father was the musician Vincenzo Galilei. His mistress was Marina Gamba and Maria Celeste was one of Galileo's daughters.
Galileo Galilei (Italian pronunciation: [ɡaliˈlɛo ɡaliˈlɛi]; 15 February 1564[4] – 8 January 1642)[1][5] was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations, and support for Copernicanism. Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational astronomy,"[6] the "father of modern physics,"[7] the "father of science,"[7] and "the Father of Modern Science."[8] Stephen Hawking says, "Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science."*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galilio
Who had a great deal of problems convincing officials that the earth was not the centre of the Universe (but it Is in my universe, and not unlikely Miss Emily's!).
The reference to Luna and Mars in this stanza is obvious, from her Latin and Roman studies at Amberst. Emily is indeed "showing her stuff" her acquired knowledge from these sources had a profound effect on her. It is pure whimsy how she treats such sublime subject in her poem. And having such a serious subject matter; almost satire!
I like the Hurray line it reminds me so much of Sis Boom Ba and college cheers undoubtedly. I am reminded of Miss Emily, like Alice in Wonderland wholly consumed by her environment and the world stage which she tries to tie in everything she experiences into her own wisdom. Quite amazing. This may be called concept cohesiveness or cultural-individual comprehension. Or how to life in the Big Picture as a small town girl.
In some way, in the next stanza, it seems as though Miss Emily, who is quite smitten with her amazing world that is so exciting, and she is part of it all, bringing all these characters, real and imagined, mostly Heroic into her world, to make it brighter, and better.
She is showing a great sense of pride of her country, of her countrypersons, of her world and universe. She reaches far and wide to bring in all these characters and invites them to
tea with her!
How joyful is this next stanza; full of romance, and adventure;
"Put down the apple Adam
And come away with me
So shal't thou have a pippin
From off my Father's tree!" E.D.
How she does geniusly contrive magic words to suit her fancy to create such fantasy, almost dancingly her use of the term "Adam's Apple" a obvious male sign of stalward power.
Put down the apple, Adam, could mean "drop what your doing, don't sin!" And yes, "come away with me" rather flirtingly I might add, but obvious for adventure! As if Adam would be a friend of hers, the Biblical Adam, Father of Humankind. And she says here, have a "pippin" from "off my Father's tree". The reference would be to her Father, God or her Father, her Dad. Perhaps Emily's thinking here is that if Adam had not eaten the apple from the tree of knowledge (of good and evil) in the Garden of Eden, maybe he could eat something else from her Father's garden in Amherst MA where only good grows. Maybe Emily would change the destiny of humankind and the need to pay hommage to "sin" or the devil? It is interesting to note that the word devil or evil rarely is mentioned but much allusion and allegory to evil or the devil certainly exists in Miss Emily's poems.
"I climb the "Hill of Science"
I "view the Landscape o'er"
Such transcendental prospect
I ne'er beheld before! —"*E.D.
In this stanza, Emily is discussing, maybe something deeper than her own small insular world of Amherst MA, but I think she is referring directly to Amherst College and Amherst, which may be on a Hill with the College situated on a hill (I will have dig her to figure if in fact Amherst MA is on a hill!)
Emily did "view the Landscape o'er" it is interesting that Emily uses a capital "L" here, as if the Landscape takes on a new dimension and rigour of Divinity. And in fact the landscape is "transcendental" referring to Whitman et al with this illuminating philosophy.
Emily is astounded at the depths and intensity she is feeling and seeing the view from the hill overlooking her small town. Emily is in total amazement at the beauty of it all and is no doubt having a cosmic consciousness moment. (see Dr. William Bucke, etc.)
"Unto the Legislature
My country bids me go,
I'll take my india rubbers
In case the wind should blow"
Emily is overwhelmed at the prospect of her place in the country and her empowerment as a citizen of the state. Her country says that she has the power to be the "legislature" (which is also capitalized like an allegorical figure. "My country bids me go" or to take part in the government as a citizen in democracy each person is suppose to be actively contributing to the workings of the government; thus Legislature. As if Emily, in a "Dr. Foster" English children's rhyme says she'll take her "india rubbers" or galoshes to Washington in case the "wind should blow" (also satirical reference to the "goings on in Washington being "like a storm or malestorm".).
"During my education
It was announced to me
That gravitation stumbling
Fell from an apple tree —"E.D.
Emily is using her acquired knowledge at Amherst in regards to her knowledge of Sir Isaac Newton's theories of Gravity. Instead of the apple stumbling it is "gravitation stumbling" which fell from an apple tree. Emily again, as she is wont to do, as exampled in the first stanza almost dylexsialy (sp? ?word?) transforms the theory of gravity upside down, which is rather funny! Wonders what the term is for this literary devices. Do not know if there is such a thing. NST (No Such Thing). We will have to find a word for this poetic technique!
"The Earth opon it's axis
Was once supposed to turn
By way of a gymnastic
In honor to the sun —
It was the brave Columbus
A sailing o'er the tide
Who notified the nations
Of where I would reside"*
Emily's world is full of frivolity, she'd rather the world be nonetheless, where Columbus was telling nations "where I would reside". Emily is all is jest, it is obvious here. It is very refreshing considering the usual Puritanic/Victorian mindset of glowery dowers, loomingly gloomy.
Mortality is fatal
Gentility is fine
Rascality, heroic
Insolvency, sublime
Our Fathers being weary
Laid down on Bunker Hill
And though full many a morn'g
Yet they are sleeping still
Emily's spunky attitude, and light-hearted way in this poem is refreshing, and she mocks the usual diatribes. Like "Mortality is fatal" (no kidding!) or Gentility is fine (yes, it is) or Rascality is heroic (this is truly spunky!) and Insovency, sublime (yes, it is most certainly). I think Emily is trying to poke fun at the attitude of sublime solemness which had taken hold of most with the extreme puritan ethics. Emily wanted to dance and sing and to enjoy her life and her world, yet always, this sublimely serious mood of the world would overtake her light-hearted attitude. Maybe I'd say her poetic sensibilities were molded into the "way she should go" which Emily, in my opinion, did not want to go. Emily wanted to have fun and enjoy life, it is most evident here. Live for today motto and the other latin motto's which say "life is short". Emily would have fun. The reference to the Founding Fathers like George Washington, et al is being discussed here, Let me figure out what is "Bunker Hill". Oh the MA Revolutionary War heros fought on Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Ma! Good to know!
"Bunker Hill" where the presidents are buried, etc. Even though morning comes up and goes down, they are still buried, and dead. What does this mean? La Dolce Vita? Emily was quite the personality!
Battle of Bunker Hill, a battle American Revolutionary War fought near (not on) the hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts
Several American ships named after the Battle of Bunker Hill, including:
USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), an Essex Class aircraft carrier
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), a Ticonderoga class cruiser
Bunker Hill Monument, erected to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill Community College, a two-year college in Charlestown, Massachusetts
Bunker Hill, an Air Force officer in the USAF
Bunker Hill is also the name of several other places in the United States:"*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill
Now to the last stanzas;
"The trumpet sir, shall wake them
In streams I see them rise
Each with a solem musket
A marching to the skies!
A coward will remain, Sir,
Until the fight is done;
But an immortal hero
Will take his hat and run.
Good bye Sir, I am going
My country calleth me
Allow me Sir, at parting
To wipe my weeping e'e
In token of our friendship
Accept this "Bonnie Doon"
And when the hand that pluck'd it
Hath passed beyond the moon
The memory of my ashes
Will consolation be
Then farewell Tuscarora
And farewell Sir, to thee."
Here Emily is saying that once the "trumpet" sounds, Biblically, the return of Christ, where all dead shall rise up, that some will still go forth to fight, but until that day when the "tribe" (hence Tuscarora)or life as they had remembered as they rest under the altar, and then they go to their heavenly reward forgetful of what tribe they fought for in life. I think? I am not exactly sure, exactly what Emily is referring to when she says "Tuscarora". It could be the Native tribe, or something other which I cannot find at this time. Nonetheless, Emily is suggesting there is something more seriousl than what we fight for it is in fact "what we are" that is most important. Perhaps?
Here is my poem inspired by the above poem!
In Honour to Emily
Fine Soulful Fighter
Sic transit gloria mundi
Your world is magic
spinning upside down
gathering yourself
the opine knowledge
of it's self
Fine Erudite
Song sung Sweet
Patti and Boone
and Bonnie Doon too
is that a tuppence?
or a place
or both
backwards at the same time
spinning round
the Forefathers
and FAthers too
Confederate and Bunker Hill
and Indian TRibes recount
our place
is with the Heavenly Throngs
once we have left this Earth
jj
Hope you enjoyed Emily today!
jj
