Modern love by george meredith sonnet 41-42 interpretation?

by Freedom II Photography

Question by Lily: Modern love by george meredith sonnet 41-42 interpretation?
an english assignment, people in my class each receive 2 of the 50 sonnets in the poem “modern love” to analyze. i was given sonnets 41 and 42 and i don’t understand them at all.
the main idea of the poem was about the suffering a husband and wife had to go through in their rushed marriage. these are sonnets 41 and 42. for the whole poem go to : http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/meredi02.html

XLI

How many a thing which we cast to the ground,
When others pick it up becomes a gem!
We grasp at all the wealth it is to them;
And by reflected light its worth is found.
Yet for us still ’tis nothing! and that zeal
Of false appreciation quickly fades.
This truth is little known to human shades,
How rare from their own instinct ’tis to feel!
They waste the soul with spurious desire,
That is not the ripe flame upon the bough.
We two have taken up a lifeless vow
To rob a living passion: dust for fire!
Madam is grave, and eyes the clock that tells
Approaching midnight. We have struck despair
Into two hearts. O, look we like a pair
Who for fresh nuptials joyfully yield all else?

XLII

I am to follow her. There is much grace
In woman when thus bent on martyrdom.
They think that dignity of soul may come,
Perchance, with dignity of body. Base!
But I was taken by that air of cold
And statuesque sedateness, when she said
‘I’m going’; lit a taper, bowed her head,
And went, as with the stride of Pallas bold.
Fleshly indifference horrible! The hands
Of Time now signal: O, she’s safe from me!
Within those secret walls what do I see?
Where first she set the taper down she stands:
Not Pallas: Hebe shamed! Thoughts black as death,
Like a stirred pool in sunshine break. Her wrists
I catch: she faltering, as she half resists,
‘You love… ? love… ? love … ?’ all on an indrawn breath.

Best answer:

Answer by Archangel7
XLI
Never know what you have till it’s gone (I know, cliche..)

XLII
His search for her and his perseverance in winning her love.

Could you help me now? It’s fine if you don’t understand it, how does it sound?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiilCS_K4vJeoOH__7eQgdzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20110504190926AAGIDmf

What do you think? Answer below!

Be Sociable, Share!

•