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Who is Ella Wheeler Wilcox?
Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a prominent American poet, author, and journalist born on November 5, 1850, in Johnstown, Wisconsin. She gained significant recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for her poetry, which often addressed themes of love, life, and the human experience. Wilcox’s work resonated with a wide audience due to its accessible style and emotional depth. Among her most famous poems is “Solitude,” which explores the idea of companionship and the importance of human connection.
Beyond poetry, she wrote novels, essays, and articles, contributing to various publications and advocating for social causes, including women’s rights. Her literary career was marked by a unique ability to blend personal reflection with universal truths, making her a beloved figure in American literature. She passed away on October 30, 1919, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
Poem: The Two Glasses by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
There sat two glasses filled to the brim
On a rich man’s table, rim to rim,
One was ruddy and red as blood,
And one was clear as the crystal flood.
Said the Glass of Wine to his paler brother:
“Let us tell tales of the past to each other;
I can tell of banquet and revel and mirth,
Where I was king, for I ruled in might;
For the proudest and grandest souls of earth
Fell under my touch, as though struck with blight.
From the heads of kings I have torn the crown;
From the heights of fame I have hurled men down.
I have blasted many an honored name;
I have taken virtue and given shame;
I have tempted youth with a sip, a taste,
That has made his future a barren waste.
Far greater than any king am I,
Or than any army beneath the sky.
I have made the arm of the driver fail,
And sent the train from the iron rail.
I have made good ships go down at sea.
And the shrieks of the lost were sweet to me.
Fame, strength, wealth, genius before me fall;
And my might and power are over all!
Ho, ho, pale brother,” said the Wine,
“Can you boast of deeds as great as mine?”
Said the Water Glass: “I cannot boast
Of a king dethroned, or a murdered host;
But I can tell of hearts that were sad,
By my crystal drops made bright and glad;
Of thirsts I have quenched and brows I have laved,
Of hands I have cooled, and souls I have saved.
I have leaped through the valley, dashed down the mountain,
Slipped from the sunshine, and dripped from the fountain,
I have burst my cloud-fetters, and dropped from the sky,
And everywhere gladdened the prospect and eye;
I have eased the hot forehead of fever and pain,
I have made the parched meadows grow fertile with grain.
I can tell of the powerful wheel of the mill,
That ground out the flour, and turned at my will.
I can tell of manhood debased by you
That I have uplifted and crowned anew;
I cheer, I help, I strengthen and aid,
I gladden the heart of man and maid;
I set the wine-chained captive free,
And all are better for knowing me.”
These are the tales they told each other,
The Glass of Wine, and its paler brother,
As they sat together, filled to the brim,
On a rich man’s table, rim to rim.
Summary of Poem
Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s poem “The Two Glasses” invites readers to reflect on the duality of human experience and perception through the metaphor of two glasses filled with different liquids. The poem raises thought-provoking questions about how we interpret the world around us: Are we viewing life through a lens of optimism or pessimism? The contrasting contents of the glasses symbolize the choices we make in our emotional responses.
Wilcox challenges us to consider the impact of our perspective on our happiness and interactions with others. Ultimately, the poem suggests that our outlook can shape our reality, encouraging a shift towards a more positive and enlightened view of life. By engaging with these inquiries, readers are prompted to examine their own attitudes and the influence of perspective on their experiences, reminding us of the power of choice in shaping our emotional landscapes.