The Annotated Edition
THE REFECTORY by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A disguised Lucifer sneaks into a group of monks gathered in their refectory at midnight, where Friar Paul humorously sings a mock-hymn that praises wine, mimicking the style and rhythm of sacred Latin prayers.
- Themes
- art, faith, identity
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
Ave! color vini clari, / Dulcis potus, non amari,
Editor's note
Friar Paul begins with a straightforward parody of the **Ave Maria** and other Latin liturgical hymns. Translated loosely as *"Hail! color of bright wine, sweet drink, not bitter,"* these lines mimic the structure and language of Catholic devotional poetry while shifting all that reverence toward a cup of wine. The humor lies in the clash between the sacred form and the boozy subject, all delivered in a single breath.
Tua nos inebriari / Digneris potentia!
Editor's note
The closing couplet translates to *"Deign to inebriate us with your power!"* — a clear borrowing from prayers where the faithful ask God to fill them with grace. The humor comes from replacing divine grace with drunkenness. The word *digneris* ("deign") carries significant weight; it's what someone seeking favor says to a higher power, and in this case, that higher power is a jug of wine.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- Wine (vinum)
- Wine serves two purposes here. It is both the actual object of the monks' midnight celebration and a symbol of earthly pleasures in general — the thing that rivals, and in this scene triumphs over, religious devotion.
- Lucifer disguised as a Friar
- The devil dressed as a monk is a long-standing symbol in Christian literature and folklore. His presence suggests that outward piety can hide something much more sinister. There's no need for him to tempt anyone; the monks are managing quite well on their own.
- The Ave form
- The hymn structure taken from the **Ave Maria** and similar prayers symbolizes misplaced worship. By infusing secular themes into a sacred format, Longfellow illustrates how rituals can turn into mere habits — the form remains even after the original meaning has faded.
§06Historical context
Historical context
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
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