(published September 1928) is the second of Eliot’s “Ariel” poems. A 37-line poem in four uneven and partly-rhymed stanzas, it is based on the episode in the Gospel of St. Luke (2: 25-35), of the infant Jesus being presented by Joseph and Mary at the temple in Jerusalem at the prescribed ceremony of Mary’s purification and the consecration of the first-born son. Waiting in the temple is the old man Simeon, who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he has seen the Messiah. Taking the baby in his arms, he prays to God in what has come to be known in Christian liturgy as the “Canticle of Simeon” or “Song of Simeon”, or in Latin the
Nunc dimittis:
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine
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Citation: Baker, William, Katie Wales. "A Song for Simeon". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 April 2021 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=40472, accessed 21 November 2024.]
