Sawyer 1

Ronnie Sawyer

Doctor Kristina Quynn

E277.001

24 September 2014

Lord Byrons So well go no more a roving

Aging is inventible, however when facing the realization that one is no longer considered

youthful, denial is often the route that some take to consul themselves. Lord Byrons So well

go no more a roving is his response to the matter of growing older as he becomes suddenly

aware of his fading juvenescence. Lord Byron lived an exciting life that some deemed sinful and

wrong, though surely he saw it as enjoying the simple pleasures of life, making his discovery of

lost youth all the more motivational to write about. Though instead of writing a piece declaring

his refusal to stop his morally questionable lifestyle he laments the fact that he is no longer

capable of maintaining his way of life, but ultimately accepts it. Theme is very important to this

writing and is deployed by symbolism presented through roving, the night and wearing out.

To go roving means to wonder or frolic, and in this case is used when declaring Lord

Byrons intentions to no longer go roving. Symbolically roving is used to say it is time to give up

childish notions because they are no longer as inviting as they once were, as one must move on.

The speaker says it is time to no longer go roving into the night, meaning he wont go out at

night to find immoral actives to participate in anymore (1-2). This time the word is used to

confidently declare his intention to shape up and no longer waver from the straight and narrow

path without regret. The word roving is mentioned once more near the end of the poem, this time

saying that the day returns too soon, yet hell go no more a roving by the light of the moon (10-

12). The way it is stated, it contradicts the determination the speaker had shown before saying
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that day came too soon for him, and that he wishes he still go roving into the night, but

regretfully he can not.

There is a distinct difference between night and day that can be sensed, our perceptions of

outside change with the sun. The speaker casually mentions that nighttime is the best time to go

roving and revel in passions (1-2). Nighttime would be less attractive and enticing without the

presence of the moon, which is exactly what Lord Byron uses as the moons symbolic meaning.

Even though the speaker has decided to no longer go roving, the moon- or temptations will still

shine as brightly as they did before he stopped going out and appreciating them (4). The night

gives the overall sense that the speakers life is coming to an end, and is currently in the twilight

just before the light of his life leaves.

The poem gives the tone of a sigh, with a middle aged man admitting that its time to

acknowledge how weary the years of roving the night have made him. Lord Byron uses a

metaphor describing the speakers soul to that of a dazzling dagger confined to a worn out, plain

sheath, or body that just isnt capable of sustaining such a whimsical soul inclined to indulge in

lifes pleasures (5). The mans soul is practically trying to escape confines of his chest and go out

to resume playing under the cover of darkness provided by the night (6). When the speaker

mentions his heart needing a moment to breathe, its like saying that its gone on for to long

without taking a moment to itself to have a break, though in this case the break, or release that

its looking for is death (7). The poems weariness reflects the speakers attitude that if he can no

longer roister, then there may as well be no point to continue living.

The symbolism in this piece is absolutely necessary to convey the overall theme of dying

and no longer being able to enjoy the aspects of life that make men feel like theyre alive and

jovial. To continue to go roving means to be able to go on in life and enjoy what one loves, and
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Lord Byrons speaker is not content to cease his enjoyments, however realizes that it is his

responsibility to give them up as he can no longer carry on his carefully crafted faade of eternal

youth. A sunrise is always guaranteed to make a debut after a long night, just as stars are

promised to shine every night after the day is done, this is the speakers way to compare the light

of his life going out. The speakers body has been worn, fulfilling its obligation to house and

protect his soul while he was still using it for carousing. It is clear that Lord Byrons speaker has

accepted his fate, and will no longer go a roving.