The Mind is an Enchanting [1] Thing
is an enchanted [2] thing [3]
like the glaze [4] on a
katydid-wing [5]
subdivided by sun
till the nettings are legion [6]. [7]
Like Gieseking [8] playing Scarlatti; [9]
like the apteryx-awl [10], [11]
as a beak, or the
kiwi's rain-shawl [12]
of haired feathers, the mind
feeling its way as though blind,
walks along with its eyes on the ground. [13], [14]
It has memory's ear
that can hear without
having to hear. [15]
Like the gyroscope's [16] fall,
truly unequivocal [17]
because trued [18] by regnant [19] certainty, [20]
it [21] is a power of strong enchantment. It
is like the dove-
neck animated by
sun; [22] it is memory's eye; [23]
it's conscientious inconsistency. [24]
It tears off the veil; tears
the temptation, the
mist the heart wears,
from its [25] eyes - if the heart
has a face; it takes apart
dejection [26]. [27] It's fire in the dove-neck's
iridescence [28]; [29] in the inconsistencies
of Scarlatti.[30]
Unconfusion submits
its confusion to proof ; [31] it's
not a Herod's oath that cannot change. [32]
FOOTNOTES
[1]. Charming; captivating.
[2]. An enchanted object has been changed by magic so that it has especial powers.
[3]. The idea of mind being whether "enchanting" or "enchanted" can be found throughout the whole poem particularly in its images.
[4]. A thin layer of transparent color spread over a surface.
[6]. Very great in number.
[7]. When the sun is shining on a katydid's wing, we can spot the reticular shapes on it.
[8]. (1895–1956), German pianist and composer.
[9]. (1659–1725), Italian composer. Here it refers to the style of music in Baroque period which Gieseking is playing and mind is likened to it.
[11]. Awl is a pointed instrument for piercing small holes in leather, wood, etc. Here it refers to the kiwi's beak.
[12]. Rain-shawl of colors.
[13]. Kiwi would walk in this way.
[14]. In this stanza mind is likened to a kiwi bird. Kiwi is concentrating and awkward at the same time. Not only does this bird represent the "enchanting" aspect of mind (because of its rain-shawl of colors of feathers), but it also shows the "enchanted" part by being careful, looking on the ground as if seeking something.
[15]. The pronoun "It" refers to mind. When we remember some events from the past, it is very probable that we have some sounds in mind related to that event. Although there is no sound outside, mind has stored the sound and can bring it back to existence. So mind plays the role of an ear for memory.
[16]. An apparatus consisting of a rotating wheel so mounted that its axis can
turn freely in certain or all directions, and capable of maintaining the same absolute direction in space in spite of movements of the mountings and surrounding parts: used to maintain equilibrium, determine direction, etc. See the picture here: http://www.inrp.fr/she/images/mecanique/gyroscope.jpg.
[17]. Certain, direct, obvious, unmistakable.
[18]. To shape, adjust, place, etc., exactly or accurately.
[20]. When there is an uncertainty, mind tries to find out the solution and remove the doubts so the things become quite unequivocal and clear, this action has been compared to the way a gyroscope works that is: maintaining its balance in spite of movements. These movements and falls are like the time of uncertainty. Gyroscope exemplifies the "enchanted" part of mind and its power.
[21]. The pronoun "it" refers to the mind in the last three stanzas.
[22]. The dove shows the beauty so it is "enchanting". When the sun shines to the dove's neck, there is a reflection that adds to its beauty.
[23]. Mind plays the role of an eye for memory to keep the images alive. We already mentioned its role as an ear for memory. (See footnote15).
[24]. Although the mind has sometimes inconsistency, it is at least conscientious so it works in a careful way and is controlled by conscience.
[25]. "Its" refers to the heart's.
[27]. Whenever the heart becomes misty by temptation or dejection, mind will remove the veil of mist from heart's eyes if it is imaginable for the heart to have a face.
[28]. Colors like those of the rainbow.
[29]. Mind is like the dove-neck which is colorful. The colors of the dove-neck represent the "enchanting" aspect of mind.
[30]. Here Moore calls Scarlatti, (The style of music,) inconsistence because it was more common in the latter Baroque period, extending roughly from 1600 to 1750, and was likely influenced by the coming styles after Baroque.
[31]. If you want to prove certainty, then you can test uncertainty, as well. In other words, there should be uncertainty if there is any certainty.
[32]. Herod (73?–4 B.C.) was the king of Judea 37–4. He was the ruler of Judea under the Romans and had John the Baptist beheaded in fulfillment of a promise to Salome. (Mark. 6:22_27)
Sd. Jalal. Tabatabaei