A Psalm of Life By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow : compulsory English-2 (Sem-2)

A Psalm of Life By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist.

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

   Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

   And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

   And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

   Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

   Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

   Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

   Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait.

A Psalm of Life – Overview

“A Psalm of Life” is a famous inspirational poem written by

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The poem was first published in 1838 in The Knickerbocker magazine and later included in the poetry collection Voices of the Night. It is one of Longfellow’s most popular and widely quoted poems because of its strong message about living life actively and meaningfully.

Basic Information

Title: A Psalm of Life

Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Year Published: 1838

Genre: Lyric / Inspirational poem

Subtitle: What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist

Collection: Voices of the Night

Background

The poem was written during a difficult period in Longfellow’s life after the death of his first wife, Mary Storer Potter. Through this poem he tried to encourage himself and others to face life with courage and purpose.

Short Summary

In this poem, the speaker rejects the idea that life is meaningless or “an empty dream.” He says that life is real and serious, and people should not waste it by being lazy or hopeless. Instead, individuals should live actively and work hard to improve themselves every day.

The poem encourages people to act in the present rather than regret the past or rely only on the future. Longfellow also says that the lives of great people show us that we can achieve greatness and leave positive examples for others. These achievements become like “footprints on the sands of time”, inspiring future generations.

The poem ends with a motivating message that people should keep striving, working, and patiently waiting for success.

Themes

Value of Life – Life is meaningful and should not be wasted.

Hard Work and Action – People should work actively and strive for progress.

Hope and Inspiration – Great lives inspire others to achieve success.

Living in the Present – The poem encourages action in the present moment.

Literary Features

Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABAB rhyme pattern.

Tone: Inspirational and motivational.

Imagery: Famous images like “footprints on the sands of time” symbolize leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Conclusion

A Psalm of Life is a powerful and motivational poem that teaches people to live with purpose, courage, and determination. Through its inspiring message, Longfellow reminds readers that life is meaningful and that everyone should strive to achieve something valuable and leave a positive mark on the world.