A Poet To His Beloved

Song Meaning

These lyrics present a profound act of offering. A speaker, identifying as a poet, brings his deepest internal world to a "white woman." He offers "books of my numberless dreams" and his "passionate rhyme." The tone is one of intense reverence and ancient devotion. The central emotional tension here lies in the speaker's profound, almost overwhelming internal world meeting the external reality of the beloved. His "heart more old than the horn" suggests a passion that has endured beyond ordinary time, a deep well of experience. This contrasts with the image of the "White woman that passion has worn," implying she too has been shaped and perhaps weathered by intense emotion, much like "the tide wears the dove-grey sands." The craft truly shines in its evocative imagery. The simile of the tide wearing sands is particularly striking, suggesting both the relentless, shaping power of passion and the enduring beauty of what remains. The repetition of "numberless dreams" underscores the vastness and richness of the speaker's inner landscape, making his offering feel incredibly significant. It's not just a few thoughts, but an entire universe of internal experience. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they convey a devotion that feels both deeply personal and timeless. The language elevates the act of offering poetry into something almost sacred, a presentation of one's very essence. The blend of intense personal feeling with grand, natural imagery makes the speaker's passion feel vast, enduring, and profoundly moving.