A SPRING POEM FROM BION by Eugene Field: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This poem consists of two distinct pieces by Eugene Field: one is a translation of a classic spring dialogue from the ancient Greek poet Bion, and the other is a translation of a French poem by Béranger that expresses a man's fondness for his old coat.
The poem
One asketh: "Tell me, Myrson, tell me true: What's the season pleaseth you? Is it summer suits you best, When from harvest toil we rest? Is it autumn with its glory Of all surfeited desires? Is it winter, when with story And with song we hug our fires? Or is spring most fair to you-- Come, good Myrson, tell me true!" Another answereth: "What the gods in wisdom send We should question not, my friend; Yet, since you entreat of me, I will answer reverently: Me the summertime displeases, For its sun is scorching hot; Autumn brings such dire diseases That perforce I like it not; As for biting winter, oh! How I hate its ice and snow! "But, thrice welcome, kindly spring, With the myriad gifts you bring! Not too hot nor yet too cold, Graciously your charms unfold-- Oh, your days are like the dreaming Of those nights which love beseems, And your nights have all the seeming Of those days of golden dreams! Heaven smiles down on earth, and then Earth smiles up to heaven again!" BÉRANGER'S "TO MY OLD COAT." Still serve me in my age, I pray, As in my youth, O faithful one; For years I've brushed thee every day-- Could Socrates have better done? What though the fates would wreak on thee The fulness of their evil art? Use thou philosophy, like me-- And we, old friend, shall never part! I think--I _often_ think of it-- The day we twain first faced the crowd; My roistering friends impeached your fit, But you and I were very proud! Those jovial friends no more make free With us (no longer new and smart), But rather welcome you and me As loving friends that should not part. The patch? Oh, yes--one happy night-- "Lisette," says I, "it's time to go"-- She clutched this sleeve to stay my flight, Shrieking: "What! leave so early? No!" To mend the ghastly rent she'd made, Three days she toiled, dear patient heart! And I--right willingly I staid-- Lisette decreed we should not part! No incense ever yet profaned This honest, shiny warp of thine, Nor hath a courtier's eye disdained Thy faded hue and quaint design; Let servile flattery be the price Of ribbons in the royal mart-- A roadside posie shall suffice For us two friends that must not part! Fear not the recklessness of yore Shall re-occur to vex thee now; Alas, I am a youth no more-- I'm old and sere, and so art thou! So bide with me unto the last And with thy warmth caress this heart That pleads, by memories of the Past, That two such friends should never part!
This poem consists of two distinct pieces by Eugene Field: one is a translation of a classic spring dialogue from the ancient Greek poet Bion, and the other is a translation of a French poem by Béranger that expresses a man's fondness for his old coat. In the first piece, one speaker asks another about his favorite season, receiving a joyful response that celebrates spring. In the second, a man talks to his tattered coat as if it were a lifelong friend, reminiscing about their shared memories and pleading for it to remain with him until the end.
Line-by-line
One asketh: / "Tell me, Myrson, tell me true:"
Another answereth: / "What the gods in wisdom send"
"But, thrice welcome, kindly spring,"
Still serve me in my age, I pray, / As in my youth, O faithful one;
I think--I _often_ think of it-- / The day we twain first faced the crowd;
The patch? Oh, yes--one happy night--
No incense ever yet profaned / This honest, shiny warp of thine,
Fear not the recklessness of yore / Shall re-occur to vex thee now;
Tone & mood
The spring dialogue feels warm and celebratory, carrying a light classical formality that remains relaxed. The Béranger translation comes across as affectionate and subtly melancholic — the speaker is upbeat about aging but isn’t entirely deceiving himself. Both poems convey a sense of contentment: a man who has come to terms with what he possesses, be it a season or a coat.
Symbols & metaphors
- Spring — Spring represents the perfect balance between extremes—not too hot, not too cold. In the poem, it also symbolizes love and dreaming, a season that blurs the boundary between night and day, as well as reality and fantasy.
- The old coat — The coat embodies the speaker's entire personal history in fabric form. Its patches, faded color, and worn texture tell the story of his life—his friendships, love affairs, and the passage of time. Taking care of it means taking care of his past self.
- The patch — The repaired tear from Lisette's grip is a tangible reminder of a romantic memory. It changes the coat from just a piece of clothing into a keepsake, evidence that love was real and left its mark.
- Heaven and earth smiling at each other — This image at the end of the spring poem hints at a balance between the divine and the human. Spring is the only season when the heavens and the earth seem to be in sync — a rare and valuable harmony.
- Roadside posie — The wildflower picked from the roadside symbolizes a simple, genuine way of life. It stands in contrast to the "ribbons in the royal mart" — the fruits of flattery and ambition — and proves to be more than enough.
Historical context
Eugene Field (1850–1895) was an American journalist and poet who made his mark in Chicago, particularly known for his charming children's poems like "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod." He also dedicated himself to translating and adapting classical and European poetry, and this piece reflects that dual focus. The first section draws inspiration from Bion of Smyrna, a Greek pastoral poet dating back to the 2nd century BCE, whose dialogues and idyllic works were widely translated during the 19th century. The second section adapts a poem by Pierre-Jean de Béranger (1780–1857), a hugely popular French chansonnier whose heartfelt, politically charged songs resonated with audiences throughout Europe. Field's translations prioritize musicality and emotion over strict scholarship — he aimed to capture the essence of the originals rather than provide a literal translation. Both of these source poets celebrated simple joys, the lives of ordinary people, and maintained a gentle skepticism towards authority and pretentiousness.
FAQ
They are two distinct translations published together under a single title by Eugene Field. The first one is based on the work of the ancient Greek poet Bion, while the second draws from the French poet Béranger. Field frequently combined short translations in this way in his collections.
Myrson is just the name of the second speaker in the dialogue — the one who responds to the question about seasons. This name originates from Bion's original Greek text. He serves as a relatable philosopher, someone who has reflected on his values and is open to expressing them clearly.
"Thrice welcome" is an old expression that conveys a greeting of "welcome three times over," adding extra warmth. It was frequently used in Greek and Latin poetry to express warmth and enthusiasm. Field retains it because it lends a formal, almost ceremonial tone that fits well with the pastoral tradition.
The coat is real, but it symbolizes so much more. It’s a way to discuss aging, memory, and the things we cling to from our past. By the end, the coat embodies the speaker's entire life — his youthful friendships, his love affairs, and his values. When he asks the coat not to leave, he's really asking time to slow down.
Lisette is a woman from the speaker's past—a lover, as the context suggests. She once grabbed his sleeve to stop him from leaving a party, causing it to tear, and then spent three days fixing it. In many of Béranger's poems, she reappears as a symbol of youthful romance and the joys of simple pleasures.
Socrates was known for his indifference to material comforts, often wearing the same simple cloak no matter the weather or the occasion. The speaker humorously suggests that by brushing his coat daily for years, he has been just as committed to it as Socrates was to his. This is a self-deprecating way of embracing a humble philosophy.
He refers to the decorations, honors, and rewards that kings and courts give to flatterers and ambitious courtiers. The speaker is expressing that he has never worn his coat to pursue that kind of recognition. A wildflower from the roadside is a much better adornment for someone who values honesty more than status.
Both poems convey a similar sentiment: finding joy in simple things, valuing authenticity over trendiness, and embracing the fleeting nature of life. Spring and an old coat may seem like modest topics, yet both poems celebrate them with genuine warmth. By pairing these images, Field subtly suggests that the most meaningful aspects of life are often those that go unnoticed by many.