Finale

by Matthew Arnold — a poem card from Justes Mots

A closing scene of a gathering in a country inn as night falls—the fire burns low, guests say goodnight, and the Squire is left alone to extinguish the flames. The poem evokes the calm, cozy atmosphere of a hearth-side evening ending, with scattered lamplight and the distant village clock striking one, conveying peaceful closure and the passage of time.

The hour was late; the fire burned low,
The Landlord's eyes were closed in sleep,
And near the story's end a deep
Sonorous sound at times was heard,
As when the distant bagpipes blow.
At this all laughed; the Landlord stirred,
As one awaking from a swound,
And, gazing anxiously around,…

Themes: sympathy · grief · reflection