The Pilgrims of Hope: A Poem, Etc. [With a Prefatory Note by H. B. Forman.]

by William Morris MD

The Pilgrims of a poem, etc. [With a prefatory note by H. B. Forman.]

British Library, Historical Print Editions

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British Library
Morris, William; Forman, Harry Buxton;
null
8º.
011652.g.55.

88 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2008

Reviews

[Joel Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pilgrims of Hope is a generational story, centered around the life of an English communist named Richard. His life story is split up into several poems, each telling of a different chapter in his life. The narrative skips around in time, starting from perhaps the core of the story, when he and his wife move from the countryside to the city of London as a foreign war is beginning. Richard speaks in the first person, venturing back to tales of his mother and father, then forward to the birth of his son (one chapter is told from the point of view of his wife). He is a man of differing experiences, of deep love, abandonment, relative ease of living, and transitioning into poverty. He suffers oppression and betrayal, growing bitter, and yet he retains a measure of hope, especially for the future generation.

As historical fiction, this book is very interesting. It was published in 1885, a little over a decade past the Paris Commune of 1871 (where some of the events of the story take place). At the time of the writing, there had not been any major successful Communist victories in the world. Communism was still more of an idea that had yet to find substance in the world. The character Richard refers several times to his acceptance of communism as being "born again," this hope being planted and taking root. He fights for the idea, through speech, suffering, and in doing physical violence. He finds that hope dashed many times, and yet the hope remains. Through the language used, there is a clear parallelism drawn between this communist belief and the Christian religion, while also implying a separation between the two belief systems.

Overall, this book is an interesting snapshot into the history of communist and socialist thought in the 1880s. At its base, though, the poems are about people, hope and heart. When Richard went through his trials, I felt his pain. And that's a mark of good poetry.

[vvv · Rating 3 out of 5]

«Los cantantes han cantado y los constructores han construido,
los pintores han moldeado sus cuentos encantadores;
¿Para qué se ha dorado el libraco del mundo, para quién,
cuando todo es para éstos, excepto el negro de la noche?

¿Qué largo y para qué perseveran con paciencia?
¿Cuántas veces, cuantas veces será contada su historia,
mientras la esperanza que nadie busca se esconde en oscuridad
y, congojado y dolido, se envejece el mundo?
[...]
Se me cayó el alma a los pies; murmuré, "¿Qué es lo que hacemos
en esta red torva de Londres, esta cárcel fortalecida
por la avidez de las edades, mientras nuestras jóvenes vidas
persiguen un fantasma que sólo nos lleva a la muerte en oscuridad?"
[...]
Lamentémonos, pues -y en el dolor a cada alma socorramos;
temámonos--y sigamos adelante donde pocos osan pasar;
vacilémonos en la esperanza--y planeemos hechos para la mañana,
el mundo coronado de la libertad, y la caída del enemigo.

Como el soldado que se despide llorando de la estancia
cuya boca recuerda los besos de su enamorada,
mientras todo alrededor de él las balas barren el cielo
pero, severo y valiente, muere allí en su puesto,

sí, ¡así sean las vidas nuestras! Así que en el porvenir,
cuando la batalla es ganada y la historia contada,
será escondido el dolor, y recordada la risa,
y nuestros nombres serán los de los brillantes y de los intrépidos.

Y ahora parecen los caminos alegres y los altos astros brillantemente relucen
y, por mi parte, entre ellos canto, pues el corazón es lleno y ligero.
Veo los hechos del futuro y el día que va a llegar en la tierra,
y la riqueza desaparecida y el dolor convertido en alegría;
veo que se han ido la escualidez y el estupor del campo,
y de todo esto somos una parte--nosotros dos ya no somos solos
en los días del placer del futuro, en los días de lucha--
nací una vez hace mucho tiempo: esta noche vuelvo a nacer.»

[Funda Guzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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