The Deserted Village

Reference to the Context

Introduction

The lines given for explanation are an extract from the poem The Deserted Village written by Oliver Goldsmith. The poem presents two contrasting pictures of an Irish village which fell a victim to the cruelty and inhuman treatment of the feudal lords. The simpler, hardworking rustics were forced to leave their native land as a result of the agricultural revolution when the big land owners switched over from general farming to sheep farming in order to earn greater profits. On the one hand, this poem shows the joy and activities of the people before the village was deserted, while on the other hand, it presents a gloomy picture of the same village after the eviction of the rural population.

Lines

SWEET AUBURN! LOVELIEST VILLAGE OF THE PLAIN,
WHERE HEALTH AND PLENTY CHEERED THE LABOURING SWAIN,
WHERE SMILING SPRING ITS EARLIEST VISIT PAID,
AND PARTING SUMMER’S LINGERING BLOOMS DELAYED:
DEAR LOVELY BOWERS OF INNOCENCE AND EASE,
SEATS OF MY YOUTH, WHEN EVERY SPORT COULD PLEASE
HOW OFTEN HAVE I LOITERED O’ER THY GREEN,
WHERE HUMBLE HAPPINESS ENDEAR’D EACH SCENE!
HOW OFTEN HAVE I PAUSED ON EVERY CHARM
THE SHELTERED COT, THE CULTIVATED FARM,
THE NEVER FAILING BROOK, THE BUSY MILL,
THE DECENT CHURCH THAT TROPPED THE NEIGHBOURING
THE HAWTHORN BUSH, WITH SEATS BENEATH THE SHADE,
FOR TALKING AGE AND WHISPERING LOVERS MADE !
Explanation

In the lines given for explanation, the poet points out that Auburn was the most Beautiful village of the area. The rustics enjoyed good health and found all the necessities of life in abundance. They worked hard and remained happy. The first signs of the spring were visible and summer lasted the longest. The poet had passed his childhood and early youth in this village. He had participated in different kinds of activities. He had observed all the beautiful sights of Nature. He had seen the beautiful cottages and the picturesque natural surrounding. He had also admired the flowing stream, the working mill and the ploughed fields. The seats under the trees were occupied either by the old, fond of talking all the time or the young lovers whispering to each other.

Lines

HOW OFTEN HAVE I BLEST THE COMING DAY,
WHEN TOIL REMITTING LENT ITS TURN TO PLAY,
AND ALL THE VILLAGE TRAIN, FROM LABOUR FREE,
LED UP THEIR SPORTS BENEATH THE SPREADING TREE;
WILL MANY A PASTIME CIRCLED IN THE SHADE,
THE YOUNG CONTENDING AS THE OLD SURVEYED;
AND MANY A GAMBOL FROLICKED O’ER THE GROUND,
AND SLEIGHTS OF ART AND FEATS OF STRENGTH WENT ROUND;
AND STILL AS EACH REPEATED PLEASURE TIRED,
SUCCEEDDING SPORTS THE MIRTHFUL BAND INSPIRED;
THE DANCING PAIR THAT SIMPLY SOUGHT RENOWN
BY HOLDING OUT TO TIRE EACH OTHER DOWN;
THE SWAIN MISTRUSTLESS OF HIS SMUTTED FACE,
WHILE SECRET LAUGHTER TITTERED ROUND THE PLACE;
THE BASHFUL VIRGIN’S SIDE-LONG LOOKS OF LOVE,
THE MATRON’S GLANCE THAT WOULD THOSE LOOKS REPROVE!
THESE WERE THEY CHARMS, SWEET VILLAGE, SPORTS LIKE THESE,
WITH SWEET SUCCESSION,TAUGHT EVEN TOIL TO PLEASE;
THESE ROUND THY BOWERS THEIR CHEERFUL INFLUENCE SHED
THESE WERE THY CHARMS-BUT ALL THESE CHARMS ARE FLED.
Explanation

In the lines given for elucidation, the poet is describing the leisure activities of the simple villagers, which have now come to an end as the village wears a deserted look. The toiling masses worked hard for the whole week and eagerly waited the seventh day when they could enjoy themselves to their heart’s content. On a holiday, the people gathered at different places and took part in various activities. While the young people competed with one another, the old observed them. When the people were tired of one game, they began something else. They divided themselves into couples, each couple trying to dance for the longest time to get renown. They also blackened the face of some innocent rustic and then laughed at him secretly. Young girls tried to look secretly at their lovers but such looks were disapproved of by their matron. Once the laborer rustics were compelled to leave their native land, the village looked barren and deserted. All the charms of the village were gone with the rustics no more being there.

Lines

ILL FARES THE LAND, TO HASTENING ILLS A PREY
WHERE WEALTH ACCUMULATES, AND MEN DECAY;
PRINCESS AND LORDS MAY FLOURISH, OR MAY FADE;
A BREATH CAN MAKE THEM, AS A BREATH HAS MADE;
BUT A BOLD PEASANTRY, THEIR COUNTRY’S PRIDE
WHEN ONCE DESTROYED CAN NEVER BE SUPPLIED.
Explanation

The lines given for explanation present a picture of the village after it was deserted. The simple abode of the innocent rustics had fell a prey to injustice and cruelty. Wealth was accumulating in a few hands while the common man suffered from misery, poverty and deprivation. The bulk of the population consists of hardworking villagers. The rich may grow richer and get all the honour and titles but that does not make much difference. The real asset and wealth of the country are the poor, toiling formers. If they are once destroyed, no one can replace them. The joy and satisfaction life is lost forever.