Original Poem：
Under the bronze crown
Too big for the head of the stone cherub whose feet
A serpent has begun to eat,
Sweet water brims a cockle and braids down
Past spattered mosses, breaks
On the tipped edge of a second shell, and fills
The massive third below. It spills
In threads then from the scalloped rim, and makes
A scrim or summery tent
For a faun-ménage and their familiar goose.
Happy in all that ragged, loose
Collapse of water, its effortless descent
And flatteries of spray,
The stocky god upholds the shell with ease,
Watching, about his shaggy knees,
The goatish innocence of his babes at play;
His fauness all the while
Leans forward, slightly, into a clambering mesh
Of water-lights, her sparkling flesh
In a saecular ecstasy, her blinded smile
Bent on the sand floor
Of the trefoil pool, where ripple-shadows come
And go in swift reticulum,
More addling to the eye than wine, and more
Interminable to thought
Than pleasure’s calculus. Yet since this all
Is pleasure, flash, and waterfall,
Must it not be too simple? Are we not
More intricately expressed
In the plain fountains that Maderna set
Before St. Peter’s—the main jet
Struggling aloft until it seems at rest
In the act of rising, until
The very wish of water is reversed,
That heaviness borne up to burst
In a clear, high, cavorting head, to fill
With blaze, and then in gauze
Delays, in a gnatlike shimmering, in a fine
Illumined version of itself, decline,
And patter on the stones its own applause?
If that is what men are
Or should be, if those water-saints display
The pattern of our areté,
What of these showered fauns in their bizarre,
Spangled, and plunging house?
They are at rest in fulness of desire
For what is given, they do not tire
Of the smart of the sun, the pleasant water-douse
And riddled pool below,
Reproving our disgust and our ennui
With humble insatiety.
Francis, perhaps, who lay in sister snow
Before the wealthy gate
Freezing and praising, might have seen in this
No trifle, but a shade of bliss—
That land of tolerable flowers, that state
As near and far as grass
Where eyes become the sunlight, and the hand
Is worthy of water: the dreamt land
Toward which all hungers leap, all pleasures pass.
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This poem paints a vivid and intricate picture of a fountain scene, rich with mythological and natural imagery. The bronze crown atop a cherub’s head, the serpent gnawing at its feet, and the cascading water flowing through shells evoke a sense of timelessness and delicate beauty. The poem’s focus on water—its movement, sparkle, and sound—creates a sensory experience that blends the physical with the spiritual.
The fauns and their familiar goose symbolize innocence and playful joy, immersed in the natural world. The poem contrasts this simple pleasure with the more complex and controlled fountains designed by Maderna before St. Peter’s, suggesting a tension between natural spontaneity and human artistry. The poet questions whether human life should be as intricate and striving as these grand fountains or as content and free as the fauns enjoying the water’s effortless descent.
The poem also references St. Francis, evoking themes of humility, praise, and the appreciation of simple, natural beauty. The final lines suggest a dreamlike realm where human senses and desires harmonize with nature, a place of bliss and fulfillment.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem reflects a deep engagement with classical mythology, religious symbolism, and the natural world. The imagery of fauns, cherubs, and serpents draws from ancient and Renaissance art traditions, while the mention of Maderna’s fountains connects the poem to Baroque architecture and Christian spirituality.
The author, likely a poet with a strong interest in both nature and art history, uses rich, descriptive language to explore themes of pleasure, desire, and the human condition. The poem’s layered symbolism and complex structure suggest a mature, contemplative voice, inviting readers to reflect on the balance between simplicity and complexity in life.
Educational Value and Learning Points
Students and children can learn several important lessons and skills from this poem:
- Imagery and Symbolism: The poem is an excellent example of how poets use vivid images and symbols to convey deeper meanings. Students can explore how water, fauns, and serpents symbolize innocence, danger, and transformation.
- Sensory Language: The poem’s rich descriptions engage multiple senses—sight, sound, and touch—helping learners appreciate how language can create immersive experiences.
- Cultural and Historical References: The poem introduces readers to classical mythology, Christian saints, and Baroque art, broadening their cultural knowledge.
- Themes of Nature and Spirituality: The poem encourages reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and on spiritual fulfillment through simple pleasures.
- Complex Sentence Structure and Vocabulary: Advanced learners can study the poem’s sophisticated language and syntax to improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Practical Applications and Inspirations
- Creative Writing: Students can be inspired to write their own descriptive poems or stories using sensory details and symbolism.
- Art and History Projects: The poem can be a starting point for exploring mythological figures, religious art, and famous fountains, integrating literature with visual arts.
- Mindfulness and Nature Studies: The poem’s focus on water and natural beauty can be used to encourage mindfulness practices and appreciation of the environment.
- Discussion on Human Experience: Teachers can use the poem to prompt discussions about the balance between complexity and simplicity in life, desire, and contentment.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- What images does the poem use to describe the fountain scene?
- How do the fauns and their goose contribute to the poem’s mood?
- What contrast does the poem draw between the natural fountain and Maderna’s fountains?
- Why is St. Francis mentioned in the poem, and what does he symbolize?
- What do you think the poem suggests about the relationship between pleasure and complexity?
Answers
- The poem describes the fountain with images of a bronze crown, a stone cherub, a serpent, shells filled with water, moss, and rippling pools.
- The fauns and their goose create a mood of innocence, joy, and playful contentment, emphasizing natural pleasure.
- The poem contrasts the effortless, spontaneous water flow enjoyed by the fauns with the controlled, intricate jets of Maderna’s fountains, symbolizing natural simplicity versus human artifice.
- St. Francis is mentioned as a figure of humility and spiritual praise, symbolizing a deep appreciation for simple, natural beauty and bliss.
- The poem suggests that pleasure can be found in simple, natural experiences and questions whether human life needs to be as complicated as the grand fountains or if it can embrace joyful simplicity.
This poem offers rich material for literary study, cultural exploration, and personal reflection, making it a valuable resource for learners of all ages.
