The Old Astronomer

This poem depicts an old ‘grizzly’ astronomer speaking to his son (which he also calls his pupil and his observer) upon the closing hours of his life. It starts with a reference to the past work of Tycho Brahe the last astronomer to study the stars prior to the telescope. His precision in mapping out the stars led to his discovery of a bright misplaced star or what astronomers call today a supernova. It was his discovery that the stars reached beyond the moon, later verified by the telescope, that led to the scientific revolution. He reminds his son of this theory’s truth, but its originality ‘may fall bitterly’ on him. Even so he calls his attention to what he has taught him in regards to the shallow ‘worth of scorn.’ What for him he regards as a mere distraction for either ‘men’s fellowship and wiles’ or the ‘goddess pleasure with her meretricious smiles.’ The astronomer assures his son “Although my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly, to be fearful of the night.” This ‘perfect light’ is a reference to when ‘he may know the law of all things’ as Tycho Brahe. He then admonishes his son not to wallow in pity, but use his eyes for sight. He says, “You will need them yet for many another night.” While he also expresses some regrets for his own calm ‘coldness,’ he’s excited that his son’s tears of humanity are still alive to continue the service of science. If his son is not drawn away by ‘fame’ he embodies the future reaping of his father and Brahe’s work. The last verse is the old astronomer’s farewell as he passes through the threshold of death. As his mortal speech is silenced and vision is darkened, Venus appears as nearly red as Mars. This being symbolic of the bright beauty of youth being swallowed up by the blood and suffering of the ‘grizzly savant’s’ fate. His last words, “God will mercifully guide me on way amongst the stars,” is a declaration to his son that he will no longer require the use of scientific instruments in search of the truth, but will be guided mercifully by God.