Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "The Puritan's Ballad" by Elinor Wylie, the speaker reflects on a tumultuous and passionate love affair, evoking vivid imagery of strength, fear, and desire. The poem portrays the speaker’s relationship with a man who, though full of strength and confidence, presents himself with a mix of tenderness and deception. Through the use of striking metaphors and contrasts, Wylie delves into the complexities of love, desire, and the inevitable heartbreak that follows when those emotions become entangled with fear and falsehoods.

The poem begins with the speaker recalling how her lover arrived from Barnegat, a place associated with the sea, which is evident in the description of his eyes as containing “the sea.” This immediately introduces the idea that his character is as vast and unpredictable as the ocean, a theme that permeates the poem. The comparison of his treading to that of a cat—“softly as a cat”—suggests both the grace and stealth with which he enters her life, setting the stage for the tension between the lover’s allure and the lies he tells. The poem’s tone starts with a sense of mystery, as the speaker is drawn to him despite the “terrible lies” he tells, hinting at the complex and potentially dangerous nature of their relationship.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes her lover’s physicality in detailed, almost exaggerated terms: “His hair was yellow as new-cut pine” and “His feet were used to treading a gale.” These images emphasize his strength and virility, making him appear almost larger than life. His body is compared to “hickory logs” and “terrier dogs,” symbols of toughness and masculinity. These descriptions of physical power are contrasted with the speaker’s own vulnerability. She feels drawn to him, but also afraid of the power he exerts, as reflected in the lines “Within his arms I feared to sink / Where lions shook their manes.” The lions and dragons symbolize both the strength and the danger of their connection, with the speaker acknowledging both her fear and her attraction to him.

Despite this fear, the speaker becomes emotionally and physically entwined with him. The moment of parting brings a symbolic connection between them: “our palms were welded by a flame.” This suggests that their bond has become inseparable, and even as they part, they are linked by the fire of passion. The mention of the lover's name on her palms “enscrolled within a heart” further reinforces the intensity of their connection, as if their love has left an indelible mark on her.

The lover speaks of their future together in idealized terms, making promises about their love being permanent and pure. He imagines a future where their love is symbolized by “wedding rings” and they are engaged in daily tasks like milking cream and cutting fish, with the sounds of their rings clinking as a reminder of their love. These domestic images suggest a comfortable and enduring love, yet the idealization of this future contrasts with the reality of their relationship, which is marked by both passionate love and underlying deception.

In the final stanza, the speaker returns to her doubts and frustrations. She wonders if her lover will ever return from Barnegat, “with thunder in his eyes”—an image that recalls the power and unpredictability of the sea and the lover himself. The repetition of “to tell me terrible lies” brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of deception and the speaker’s awareness of it. Despite her longing and the intimacy they once shared, she is left with the reality that their connection was never as pure or enduring as she had hoped.

Through her vivid descriptions and contrasts, Wylie captures the tension between desire and fear, love and deception. The lover, with his power and charm, draws the speaker in, yet his lies and the underlying instability of their relationship leave her questioning its authenticity. The poem uses the imagery of the sea, the lion, and the domestic future to symbolize the complexities of love—its allure, its dangers, and its eventual unraveling.

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