The Scholar Gypsy and Thyrsis
"The Scholar Gypsy" and "Thyrsis" are two of the most famous poems by the Victorian poet Matthew Arnold. Both are set in the countryside around Oxford and explore themes of loss, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in a changing world.
The Scholar Gypsy is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker recounts the story of a 17th-century Oxford scholar who abandoned his studies to join a band of gypsies. The poem contrasts the scholar's restless, unconventional life with the settled, conventional lives of his former friends.
Thyrsis is an elegy for Arnold's friend, the poet Arthur Hugh Clough, who died in 1861. The poem is set in the same countryside as "The Scholar Gypsy" and uses the figure of the shepherd Thyrsis to represent Clough. Arnold laments the loss of his friend and reflects on the beauty and transience of nature.
Both poems are characterized by Arnold's distinctive blend of melancholy and serenity. He evokes the beauty of the English countryside with vivid imagery, while also expressing a deep sense of loss and the difficulty of finding meaning in a world that is constantly changing.
A 1910 hardback edition of these poems would be a lovely addition to any poetry lover's collection. It would be interesting to compare this edition with more modern versions, and to see how the poems have been interpreted over time.
By Matthew Arnold
1910
Hardback
Excellent Used Condition for its age - see images. Obvious discolouration throughout, the first page has slight warping and the spine is slightly darker than the back & front cover - see images.
