Tis Said, that Some Have Died for Love

Name: Tis Said, that Some Have Died for Love
Author: William Wordsworth

The poem explores the profound and often destructive nature of love through the lens of grief and longing. It begins with the assertion that love can lead to death, both metaphorically and literally, as evidenced by graves in desolate places. The speaker reflects on a man who has mourned the loss of his beloved, Barbara, for three years. This man, isolated on Helvellyn's side, expresses his sorrow through a series of poignant laments. He wishes for the physical world around him to change, seeking to escape the reminders of his lost love. He implores the cottage to move away, the tree to be uprooted, and the smoke to vanish, indicating that every element of his environment serves as a painful reminder of his grief. The imagery of the empty sky and the weight of the shadows emphasizes his emotional burden. The man’s anguish is further articulated through his interactions with nature. He addresses the thrush, asking it to change its song or perch elsewhere, as its joyful noise only deepens his sorrow. He desires silence from the brook, which haunts him with its sounds, and he wishes for the eglantine to shed its flowers, as its beauty becomes unbearable in his state of mourning. The speaker describes the man as a figure of great strength, yet his emotional turmoil reveals vulnerability. The poem culminates in a plea to love itself, expressing a desire to be spared from the happiness that love can bring, as it is intertwined with the pain of loss. The juxtaposition of love's joy and sorrow underscores the complexity of human emotions, illustrating how love can be both a source of profound happiness and deep despair.

By William Wordsworth · First published 1798 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry · 572 words

First lines

'Tis said, that some have died for love: And here and there a church-yard grave is found In the cold North's unhallowed ground, Because the wretched Man himself had slain, His love was such a grievous pain.

And there is one whom I five years have known; He dwells alone Upon Helvellyn's side: He loved -- the pretty Barbara died, And thus he makes his moan: Three years had Barbara in her grave been laid When thus his moan he made: "Oh move, thou Cottage, from behind that oak!

What this Textopian page supports

Tis Said, that Some Have Died for Love is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Wordsworth, dated 1798 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: William Wordsworth
Date: 1798 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Elegy, Nature Poetry
Length: 572 words
Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Tis Said, that Some Have Died for Love by William Wordsworth
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Tis Said, that Some Have Died for Love?
How does this poem by William Wordsworth fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Romantic Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Romantic Poetry — The poem explores themes of love, loss, and emotional turmoil, characteristic of Romantic literature.
Lyric Poetry — The personal expression of feelings and emotions aligns with the conventions of lyric poetry.
Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story of love and grief, fitting the narrative structure.
Elegy — The themes of mourning and lamenting a lost love suggest elements of an elegy.