Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "Mermaid" by George MacDonald captures the mystical and enchanting encounter between a prince and a sea-maiden. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, the poem transports the reader into a world of wonder and longing.

The poem begins with the prince walking by the sea in the evening hush, seeking the soothing sound of the murmuring waves. As he gazes at the moon, a glimmer of cold, wet light slides across the water, and the sea-maidens come into view, playing and frolicking in the gray distance. The poem warns the prince to stay away from the shore, recognizing the danger and allure of these beautiful creatures.

Curiosity gets the better of the prince, and he hides behind a rock to observe the sea-maidens as they comb their hair in the wind. Their laughter fills the air as they dance on the warm sand, casting aside their combs made of pearls. However, the sea-maiden with hair resembling the moon in a cloud casts her comb upon the rock, and as soon as her back is turned, the prince seizes the opportunity and takes the shell-like comb into his possession.

As the scene unfolds, the clouds darken, the wind grows angry, and one by one, the sea-maidens finish combing their hair and disappear into the sea. The sea-maiden with hair like the moon is left alone, standing with flitting hands and nearly obscured by a rush of rain. She notices the prince and collapses at his feet, melting away like a snow wreath in the wind and rain.

Filled with hope and fear, the prince carries her home and lays her gently on a golden bed. Throughout the night and the next day, she remains motionless, quiet as the sea and the graveyard dead. However, as the sea breeze enters the room at dusk, she opens her eyes like two shining stars, and the sea-flower within her begins to bloom.

The sea-maiden sees the prince kneeling by her bedside, and before the moon is new again, they are carelessly and coldly wed. Yet, as time goes on, she becomes a winsome wife, and everything seems to be going well until their child is born. Restless and unable to sleep, she wanders from room to room, listening intently to the sound of the deep sea.

One stormy night, when the wind howls and the windows are speckled with foam, she roams throughout the house and catches sight of her pearly comb. Eagerly, she twines up her hair and puts in the rainbow comb, and then she is out and away over the shining sands, returning to her mournful home.

The prince awakens and searches for her in the gray morning, but his bonny sea-wife is gone. From that point on, he walks the sad shore, pacing up and down by the lonely rock, yearning for his lost love. Though he hears the sea-maidens laugh far out in the bay, his heart remains lonely and he walks the shore alone.

"Maiden" beautifully captures the allure, fleeting nature, and bittersweetness of love and longing. It explores the irresistible pull of the sea and the enchantment of the unknown, while also revealing the longing and sorrow that can accompany such encounters. The poem serves as a reminder that love can be elusive, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who experience its magic.

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