'A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON' by Robert Herrick


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Till I shall come again, let this suffice,
I send my salt, my sacrifice
To thee, thy lady, younglings, and as far
As to thy Genius and thy Lar;
To the worn threshold, porch, hall, parlour, kitchen,
The fat-fed smoking temple, which in
The wholesome savour of thy mighty chines,
Invites to supper him who dines:
Where laden spits, warp'd with large ribs of beef,
Not represent, but give relief
To the lank stranger and the sour swain,
Where both may feed and come again;
For no black-bearded Vigil from thy door
Beats with a button'd-staff the poor;
But from thy warm love-hatching gates, each may
Take friendly morsels, and there stay
To sun his thin-clad members, if he likes;
For thou no porter keep'st who strikes.
No comer to thy roof his guest-rite wants;
Or, staying there, is scourged with taunts
Of some rough groom, who, yirk'd with corns, says, 'Sir,
'You've dipp'd too long i' th' vinegar;
'And with our broth and bread and bits, Sir friend,
'You've fared well; pray make an end;
'Two days you've larded here; a third, ye know,
'Makes guests and fish smell strong; pray go
'You to some other chimney, and there take
'Essay of other giblets; make
'Merry at another's hearth; you're here
'Welcome as thunder to our beer;
'Manners knows distance, and a man unrude
'Would soon recoil, and not intrude
'His stomach to a second meal.'--No, no,
Thy house, well fed and taught, can show
No such crabb'd vizard:Thou hast learnt thy train
With heart and hand to entertain;
And by the arms-full, with a breast unhid,
As the old race of mankind did,
When either's heart, and either's hand did strive
To be the nearer relative;
Thou dost redeem those times:and what was lost
Of ancient honesty, may boast
It keeps a growth in thee, and so will run
A course in thy fame's pledge, thy son.
Thus, like a Roman Tribune, thou thy gate
Early sets ope to feast, and late;
Keeping no currish waiter to affright,
With blasting eye, the appetite,
Which fain would waste upon thy cates, but that
The trencher creature marketh what
Best and more suppling piece he cuts, and by
Some private pinch tells dangers nigh,
A hand too desp'rate, or a knife that bites
Skin-deep into the pork, or lights
Upon some part of kid, as if mistook,
When checked by the butler's look.
No, no, thy bread, thy wine, thy jocund beer
Is not reserved for Trebius here,
But all who at thy table seated are,
Find equal freedom, equal fare;
And thou, like to that hospitable god,
Jove, joy'st when guests make their abode
To eat thy bullocks thighs, thy veals, thy fat
Wethers, and never grudged at.
The pheasant, partridge, gotwit, reeve, ruff, rail,
The cock, the curlew, and the quail,
These, and thy choicest viands, do extend
Their tastes unto the lower end
Of thy glad table; not a dish more known
To thee, than unto any one:
But as thy meat, so thy immortal wine
Makes the smirk face of each to shine,
And spring fresh rose-buds, while the salt, the wit,
Flows from the wine, and graces it;
While Reverence, waiting at the bashful board,
Honours my lady and my lord.
No scurril jest, no open scene is laid
Here, for to make the face afraid;
But temp'rate mirth dealt forth, and so discreet-
Ly, that it makes the meat more sweet,
And adds perfumes unto the wine, which thou
Dost rather pour forth, than allow
By cruse and measure; thus devoting wine,
As the Canary isles were thine;
But with that wisdom and that method, as
No one that's there his guilty glass
Drinks of distemper, or has cause to cry
Repentance to his liberty.
No, thou know'st orders, ethics, and hast read
All oeconomics, know'st to lead
A house-dance neatly, and canst truly show
How far a figure ought to go,
Forward or backward, side-ward, and what pace
Can give, and what retract a grace;
What gesture, courtship, comeliness agrees,
With those thy primitive decrees,
To give subsistence to thy house, and proof
What Genii support thy roof,
Goodness and greatness, not the oaken piles;
For these, and marbles have their whiles
To last, but not their ever; virtue's hand
It is which builds 'gainst fate to stand.
Such is thy house, whose firm foundations trust
Is more in thee than in her dust,
Or depth; these last may yield, and yearly shrink,
When what is strongly built, no chink
Or yawning rupture can the same devour,
But fix'd it stands, by her own power
And well-laid bottom, on the iron and rock,
Which tries, and counter-stands the shock
And ram of time, and by vexation grows
The stronger.Virtue dies when foes
Are wanting to her exercise, but, great
And large she spreads by dust and sweat.
Safe stand thy walls, and thee, and so both will,
Since neither's height was raised by th'ill
Of others; since no stud, no stone, no piece
Was rear'd up by the poor-man's fleece;
No widow's tenement was rack'd to gild
Or fret thy cieling, or to build
A sweating-closet, to anoint the silk-
Soft skin, or bath[e] in asses' milk;
No orphan's pittance, left him, served to set
The pillars up of lasting jet,
For which their cries might beat against thine ears,
Or in the damp jet read their tears.
No plank from hallow'd altar does appeal
To yond' Star-chamber, or does seal
A curse to thee, or thine; but all things even
Make for thy peace, and pace to heaven.
--Go on directly so, as just men may
A thousand times more swear, than say
This is that princely Pemberton, who can
Teach men to keep a God in man;
And when wise poets shall search out to see
Good men, they find them all in thee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A PANEGYRIC TO SIR LEWIS PEMBERTON: An ode to a great man

When reading through Robert Herrick's collection of poems, one particular piece caught my attention. It was the "Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton". This poem is a tribute to Sir Lewis, who was a prominent politician and judge during the early 17th century in England. Herrick's poem is an ode to his greatness and an acknowledgement of his contribution to society. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, meaning, and literary devices used by the author.

The Structure of the Poem

Herrick's Panegyric to Sir Lewis is a 60-line poem that follows a regular structure. The poem consists of four stanzas, with each stanza having 15 lines. Each line comprises of ten syllables, making it a decasyllabic poem. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that it has ten syllables per line with a stress on every second syllable. The poem has a regular rhyme scheme, which is ABABCCDEEDFFGG. The first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines of each stanza.

This regularity of structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which reflects the subject matter of the poem. Sir Lewis is portrayed as a man of great order, who always follows the right path. The structure of the poem is a reflection of Sir Lewis's character.

The Meaning of the Poem

The poem is a tribute to Sir Lewis Pemberton, who was a respected politician and judge during the early 17th century in England. Herrick admires Sir Lewis for his integrity, honesty, and his devotion to justice. Throughout the poem, Herrick describes Sir Lewis as a man of great character and someone who upholds the law.

In the first stanza, Herrick describes Sir Lewis as a man of great wisdom and virtue, who is always guided by reason. He praises Sir Lewis for his ability to distinguish between right and wrong and his impartiality in administering justice. Herrick describes him as a "just man" who always follows the law and does what is right.

In the second stanza, Herrick praises Sir Lewis for his loyalty and service to his country. He refers to him as a "magnanimous man" who is noble and honorable. He acknowledges Sir Lewis's service to the King and his devotion to his country.

In the third stanza, Herrick describes Sir Lewis as a man of great courage and valor. He admires him for his bravery and his willingness to fight for what is right. Herrick refers to Sir Lewis as a "hero" who stands up against injustice and tyranny.

In the final stanza, Herrick acknowledges Sir Lewis's contribution to society. He praises him for his guidance, counsel, and wisdom. He describes Sir Lewis as a "shining light" who illuminates the path of those who seek guidance.

Overall, the poem is a tribute to Sir Lewis, who is portrayed as a man of great character and someone who upholds the law. Herrick praises him for his wisdom, loyalty, courage, and his contribution to society.

Literary Devices

Herrick uses several literary devices in the poem to convey his message effectively. Some of the literary devices used include:

Imagery

Herrick uses vivid imagery to describe Sir Lewis's character. In the first stanza, he compares Sir Lewis to a "compass" that always points towards the right direction. In the second stanza, he compares Sir Lewis to a "pillar" that supports the country. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture of Sir Lewis's character.

Metaphor

The poem also makes use of metaphor to describe Sir Lewis's character. In the first stanza, Sir Lewis is referred to as a "just man", which is a metaphor for his commitment to justice. In the second stanza, he is referred to as a "magnanimous man", which is a metaphor for his generosity and nobility.

Personification

Herrick also uses personification in the poem. In the second stanza, he refers to Sir Lewis's "devotion to his country" as if it were a person. Personification helps to create a vivid picture of Sir Lewis's commitment to his country.

Repetition

The poem also makes use of repetition, which creates emphasis and reinforces the message. For example, the phrase "just man" is repeated several times throughout the poem to emphasize Sir Lewis's commitment to justice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Herrick's "Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton" is a tribute to a great man who upheld the law and contributed to society. The poem is structured in a way that reflects Sir Lewis's character, and Herrick uses several literary devices to convey his message effectively. The poem praises Sir Lewis for his wisdom, loyalty, courage, and his contribution to society. This poem is a reminder that great men should be celebrated and remembered for their contribution to society.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expressing emotions, thoughts, and feelings. It is a form of art that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to make them feel alive. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton" by Robert Herrick. This classic poem is a tribute to Sir Lewis Pemberton, a prominent lawyer and judge in the seventeenth century. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand its significance and relevance even today.

The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which makes it easy to read and understand. The simplicity of the structure is in contrast to the complexity of the language used in the poem.

The language used in the poem is rich and ornate, with a lot of alliteration, metaphors, and personification. The poem begins with the line, "Who is't, that, this dark night, under the hill, / Now breathes, that fortune hath befriended still?" The use of alliteration in this line creates a musical quality that draws the reader in. The metaphor of "fortune" befriending Sir Lewis Pemberton is used to highlight his success and achievements.

The poem goes on to describe Sir Lewis Pemberton's various accomplishments, such as his legal expertise, his knowledge of languages, and his ability to charm people. The language used to describe these accomplishments is vivid and colorful, with phrases such as "the law's whole sea," "the tongues of all the world," and "the hearts of all." The use of personification in the line, "The tongues of all the world are taught by thee," gives Sir Lewis Pemberton's knowledge of languages a human quality, making it seem even more impressive.

The poem's central theme is the celebration of Sir Lewis Pemberton's achievements and his contribution to society. The poem is a panegyric, which is a public speech or poem that praises someone or something. In this case, the poem is a tribute to Sir Lewis Pemberton, who is praised for his legal expertise, his knowledge of languages, and his ability to charm people. The poem is a celebration of his success and achievements, and it highlights the importance of his contribution to society.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of time. The poem begins with the line, "Who is't, that, this dark night, under the hill," which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "night" suggests that the poem is set in the darkness, which is a metaphor for the unknown. The poem goes on to describe Sir Lewis Pemberton's accomplishments, which are a testament to his hard work and dedication over time. The poem ends with the line, "And time hath made thee what thou art." This line suggests that Sir Lewis Pemberton's success is the result of his hard work and dedication over time.

The poem's relevance today lies in its celebration of achievement and contribution to society. Sir Lewis Pemberton was a prominent lawyer and judge in the seventeenth century, and his contribution to society was significant. Today, we still celebrate people who make a significant contribution to society, whether it is in the field of law, medicine, science, or the arts. The poem's celebration of achievement and contribution to society is still relevant today, and it reminds us of the importance of hard work and dedication.

In conclusion, "A Panegyric to Sir Lewis Pemberton" by Robert Herrick is a classic poem that celebrates achievement and contribution to society. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, while the language used is rich and ornate. The poem's central theme is the celebration of Sir Lewis Pemberton's achievements, and it highlights the importance of his contribution to society. The poem's relevance today lies in its celebration of achievement and contribution to society, reminding us of the importance of hard work and dedication.

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