usually written in serious and thoughtful language. In an elegy, the poet remembers the life of the person who has died, praises their qualities, and also talks about his own feelings of loss. Elegies also include a message of hope or comfort at the end.

“Thyrsis” as an Elegy: “Thyrsis” is an elegy written in 1865 by Matthew Arnold (1822-1888). In this poem, the poet mourns the death of his close friend, Arthur Hugh Clough, who was also a poet. Arnold calls Clough “Thyrsis,” which is the name of a shepherd-poet in Greek mythology. The poem is full of natural images, memories, and deep emotions.

Personal Grief and Loss: One important feature of an elegy is that the poet expresses personal sorrow. In this poem, Arnold remembers the happy times he spent with his friend, Clough, in the Oxford countryside. Now that his friend is gone, he feels lonely and sad. He says:

“Yes, thou art gone! and round me too the night

In ever-nearing circle…”

These lines show that the poet feels darkness around him. The darkness is coming closer as time passes. This means the poet is in deep sorrow after losing his friend.

Nature and Memories: Arnold uses many natural images like trees, hills, flowers, fields, and the River Thames. These are not just decorations. They bring back memories of the past. He remembers how he and Clough enjoyed the peaceful countryside together. But now, everything has changed. He writes:

“Where are the mowers…?

They all are gone, and thou art gone as well!”

These lines show how nature itself reminds the poet of the loss of his friend.

Praise of the Dead Friend: In an elegy, the poet praises the person who died. Arnold does this by comparing Clough to the Scholar Gipsy. The Scholar Gipsy is a symbol of someone who searches for truth and leaves the world behind. He says Clough was also a seeker of light and purity, even though the world did not understand him. He searched for something higher and beautiful, away from the noise of the world.

Change and Sadness: Another theme in “Thyrsis” is the feeling of change. The poet feels that both the world and he himself are no longer the same. He does not visit the countryside often anymore. His heart has grown tired. Life feels heavy and disconnected from the joys of youth. He says:

“Too rare, too rare, grow now my visits here!”

This line shows how Arnold feels separated from his past, his friend, and even from himself. Life in the modern world feels cold and restless.

Ending with Hope: Like many elegies, “Thyrsis” ends with a soft note of hope. Though Clough is dead, Arnold sees the elm tree on the hill, which they both loved. He imagines that Clough is saying:

“Our tree yet crowns the hill.”

The tree becomes a symbol that their dreams are still alive. Arnold also imagines his friend is whispering to him to move on.

For these reasons, “Thyrsis” is a perfect example of an elegy. It has all the parts of a classical elegy: mourning, nature imagery, sadness, praise, and finally a message of hope. Through this poem, Arnold not only remembers his friend Clough but also shares his own pain.