Pagan by Madison Cawein (1900)
The poem explores themes of ancient mythology, the transience of deities, and the contrast between pagan beliefs and contemporary religious thought. It begins by invoking the gods of antiquity, emphasizing their power and benevolence towards humanity. The speaker questions the whereabouts and significance of these gods in a world where their influence has waned. The imagery of Greece and Rome serves to highlight the grandeur of past civilizations, now reduced to ruins where nature reclaims the remnants of human achievement. The mention of the owl and ivy symbolizes wisdom and decay, suggesting a cycle of life and death that permeates existence. As the poem progresses, it reflects on the legacy of these ancient beliefs, pondering whether future generations will remember them or be left with the remnants of a Christian doctrine. The speaker grapples with the idea of mortality and the inevitability of being forgotten, questioning if the wisdom of the past will endure or be overshadowed by contemporary ideologies. Ultimately, the work invites contemplation on the nature of belief, the passage of time, and the enduring human quest for meaning in a world where the divine has seemingly abandoned its followers. The tension between the ephemeral nature of life and the desire for lasting significance resonates throughout, leaving the reader to reflect on the value of both ancient and modern beliefs.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Mythology · 241 words
First lines
The gods, who could loose and bind In the long ago, The gods, who were stern and kind To men below, Where shall we seek and find, Or, finding, know?
Where Greece, with king on king, Dreamed in her halls; Where Rome kneeled worshiping, The owl now calls, And whispering ivies cling To mouldering walls.
They have served, and have passed away From the earth and sky, And their Creed is a record gray, Where the passer-by Reads, "Live and be glad to-day, For to-morrow ye die."
And shall it be so, indeed, When we are no more, That nations to be shall read, -- As we have before, -- In the dust of a Christian Creed, But pagan lore?
What this Textopian page supports
Pagan is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Mythology, Literary Fiction, Historical
- Length: 241 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of belief.
- Mythology — The content references gods and ancient civilizations, focusing on pagan beliefs.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and introspective, characteristic of literary fiction.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Spirituality · Philosophy · Mystery · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Folklore · Mythology · Cosmology