Robert Graves
Down, wanton, down! Have you no shame
That at the whisper of Love’s name,
Or Beauty’s, presto! up you raise
Your angry head and stand at gaze?
Poor Bombard-captain, sworn to reach
The ravelin and effect a breach –
Indifferent what you storm or why,
So be that in the breach you die!
Love may be blind, but Love at least
Knows what is man and what mere beast;
Or Beauty wayward, but requires
More delicacy from her squires.
Tell me, my witless, whose one boast
Could be your staunchness at the post,
When were you made a man of parts
To think fine and profess the arts?
Will many-gifted Beauty come
Bowing to your bald rule of thumb,
Or Love swear loyalty to your crown?
Be gone, have done! Down, wanton, down!
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem presents a biting, satirical commentary on the hubris and folly of a man whose passions—specifically lust and pride—have corrupted his sense of purpose and self-worth. The speaker scolds the “wanton,” presumably a man whose desires have made him blind to the true nature of love and beauty. It’s a clever attack on someone who mistakes base, animalistic urges for the nobler pursuits of love, art, or honor. The speaker’s tone is sharp and disapproving, and his language is both critical and mocking. Through this harsh reprimand, the poem contrasts the base instincts of the man with the higher ideals that love and beauty should invoke.
The opening lines, “Down, wanton, down! Have you no shame / That at the whisper of Love’s name, / Or Beauty’s, presto! up you raise / Your angry head and stand at gaze?” immediately set the tone of disapproval. The word “wanton” here suggests indulgence without restraint, likely referring to a man who is prone to lustful impulses and is easily stirred by the superficial mentions of “Love” or “Beauty.” The “angry head” that “raises” at the mere mention of these words is a vivid image, indicating that the man’s desires are easily awakened but have little grounding in real understanding or reverence for these ideals. His actions are impulsive, lacking the deeper thought or reflection that these concepts deserve.
The poem then moves into an extended metaphor comparing this man to a “Bombard-captain” who is merely concerned with breaching a wall, indifferent to what he destroys in the process. The metaphor underscores the man’s approach to life and love as being mechanical and reckless: “Indifferent what you storm or why, / So be that in the breach you die!” There is a sense of mindless aggression in this imagery, as if the man is willing to charge into anything, disregarding the purpose or consequences, as long as it leads to his own destruction. The Bombard-captain, like the man, is not driven by genuine purpose, but by an insatiable desire to conquer and claim, regardless of the moral or emotional stakes involved.
The poem then pivots to a more philosophical commentary. “Love may be blind, but Love at least / Knows what is man and what mere beast,” the speaker argues, suggesting that true love is not mindless or instinctual, but discerning. Unlike the wanton, who is swept up by shallow desires, true love is capable of recognizing the essence of humanity and distinguishing it from mere animalistic behavior. Similarly, “Beauty” may be “wayward,” but it too demands a level of respect and subtlety that the man cannot comprehend. He may believe that his lust or desire is an expression of romantic passion, but the speaker is adamant that it’s nothing of the sort.
The speaker further mocks the man’s pretensions by challenging his worth: “When were you made a man of parts / To think fine and profess the arts?” Here, the speaker is saying that the man is unworthy of the lofty pursuits he imagines himself to be part of—whether in matters of love or art. The phrase “man of parts” refers to someone who possesses qualities that make them admirable or accomplished. The man in question, according to the speaker, lacks these qualities entirely and is unfit to profess any finer ideals. His self-image, then, is a delusion, and the speaker urges him to abandon any thoughts of greatness or artistry.
The final lines deliver the harshest rebuke: “Will many-gifted Beauty come / Bowing to your bald rule of thumb, / Or Love swear loyalty to your crown? / Be gone, have done! Down, wanton, down!” The question is rhetorical, and its force is clear. The speaker asserts that neither Beauty nor Love will have anything to do with the man’s crude desires or self-important posture. The metaphor of the “bald rule of thumb” suggests that the man relies on basic, uninspired instincts, lacking the wisdom or grace that would be required to engage with the true nature of beauty or love. The man’s claim to “rule” over them is laughable, as these noble ideals do not respond to such brutishness. The final command, “Down, wanton, down!” emphasizes the need for the man to retreat, to stop presuming that he can claim things of value without the understanding or respect they deserve.
Ultimately, this poem critiques the self-deception and arrogance of a man who believes his desires to be equivalent to genuine love and appreciation for beauty. It exposes the hollowness of his pretensions and mocks his assumption that such ideals can be “conquered” or ruled over with brute force or impulsive action. Through its pointed and vivid imagery, the poem elevates love and beauty as forces that require reverence, insight, and restraint, while condemning the man’s simplistic, untamed approach to them.