Pied Beauty
Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-color as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise Him.
For skies of couple-color as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise Him.
First line
Use of the word 'dappled' in the first line shows that God's imperfect creations are being praised. The hyphen at the end of the line suggests that these creations are going to be listed.
Use of the word 'dappled' in the first line shows that God's imperfect creations are being praised. The hyphen at the end of the line suggests that these creations are going to be listed.
Second line
Simile is used in the second line to create vivid imagery between the sky and the cow - this suggests that we are surrounded by so-called 'dappled things'. The alliteration between "couple", "color", and "cow" links the beauty of the sky to the imperfection of the cow.
Simile is used in the second line to create vivid imagery between the sky and the cow - this suggests that we are surrounded by so-called 'dappled things'. The alliteration between "couple", "color", and "cow" links the beauty of the sky to the imperfection of the cow.
Third line
Another imperfect, yet beautiful thing is listed in the third line - trout that are covered in rose colored spots.
Another imperfect, yet beautiful thing is listed in the third line - trout that are covered in rose colored spots.
Fourth line
When chestnuts fall on the ground, the break open and are redder on the inside than on the outside; the color of the chestnuts on the inside is what makes the metaphor between the chestnuts and the coals so effective. The alliteration between "fresh", "firecoal", "falls" and "finches'" suggests the crackling sound that firecoals make.
When chestnuts fall on the ground, the break open and are redder on the inside than on the outside; the color of the chestnuts on the inside is what makes the metaphor between the chestnuts and the coals so effective. The alliteration between "fresh", "firecoal", "falls" and "finches'" suggests the crackling sound that firecoals make.
Fifth line
The rule of three used in the fifth line (i.e. "fold, fallow and plough") depicts the three stages of farming. This shows that variety allows us to prosper.
The rule of three used in the fifth line (i.e. "fold, fallow and plough") depicts the three stages of farming. This shows that variety allows us to prosper.
Sixth line
Manmade objects are mentioned for the first time in the sixth line. This shows that the focus of the poem is shifting and also suggests the importance of variety.
Manmade objects are mentioned for the first time in the sixth line. This shows that the focus of the poem is shifting and also suggests the importance of variety.
Seventh line
Words used to describe the "things" mentioned in the seventh line, like "counter" and "strange", usually have negative connotations but can be seen as positive.
Words used to describe the "things" mentioned in the seventh line, like "counter" and "strange", usually have negative connotations but can be seen as positive.
Eighth line
The speaker continues to describe the qualities of God's creations in the eighth line rather than naming specific objects. Use of diction, specifically the word "fickle", suggests constant change.
The speaker continues to describe the qualities of God's creations in the eighth line rather than naming specific objects. Use of diction, specifically the word "fickle", suggests constant change.
Ninth line
Semi-colons are used to divide the three pairs of contrasting words. Once again, they bring up the thought of unpredictability.
Semi-colons are used to divide the three pairs of contrasting words. Once again, they bring up the thought of unpredictability.
Tenth line
The word “fathers-forth” in the second last line shows that the speaker could be making a reference to God as a kind father. He has also put him in such a way that although the world changes as we move from past to future, His beauty will forever remain beautiful.
The word “fathers-forth” in the second last line shows that the speaker could be making a reference to God as a kind father. He has also put him in such a way that although the world changes as we move from past to future, His beauty will forever remain beautiful.
Eleventh line
The words "praise him" suggest something of an 'amen' to conclude the poem.
The words "praise him" suggest something of an 'amen' to conclude the poem.