How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
--My friend, I want to trade
my horse for her house,
my saddle for her mirror,
my knife for her blanket. (25-28)
Here we get the speaker's plan for… well, for doing some trading. In a way, though, this looks like a plan to change his life. He seems to be trading in this soldiering equipment in favor of things that might bring him more peace, as well as closer to the green gypsy girl. Sounds like a good plan to Shmoop.
Quote #2
--If it were possible, my boy,
I'd help you fix that trade.
But now I am not I,
nor is my house now my house. (31-34)
Well, it sounded like a good plan to us, but, sadly, it all comes to nothing. The speaker's bid to trade for a more peaceable life, much like his other hopes and dreams in this poem, are all for naught. Bummer.
Quote #3
--My friend, I want to die
decently in my bed.
Of iron, if that's possible,
with blankets of fine chambray. (35-38)
Our speaker has back-up plans, too. If he can't trade for the gypsy girl's belongings, how about letting him die in his own nice, comfortable bed. No? Not possible either? Strike two, speaker. What's next?
Quote #4
--Let me climb up, at least,
up to the high balconies;
Let me climb up! Let me,
up to the green balconies. (47-50)
Okay, so here is dream/hope/plan number three. If he can't trade for peace, and he can't die in his own bed, how's about a climbing expedition up to some spiffy balconies? What do you say friend? Since, in a couple of lines, "the two friends climb up," it would seem that the third time is a charm. We wonder if this business of climbing is, in some way, meant to highlight what the speaker is achieving through his persistent, unflagging desire throughout the poem. Powered by hope, he's on a life-long journey to reach his dream.
Quote #5
Now the two friends climb up,
up to the high balconies.
Leaving a trail of blood.
Leaving a trail of teardrops. (53-56)
At long last, the speaker's on his way toward attaining his dream. It looks, though, like that process is a costly one. We're guessing that the trail of blood and tears is not left there so that he can find his way back. Instead, it seems to show just how much sacrifice is necessary if one is to chase one's dreams. Do you think, in the speaker's case, this is worth it?