'Another Grace For A Child' by Robert Herrick
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Here a little child I stand
Heaving up my either hand;
Cold as paddocks though they be,
Here I lift them up to Thee,
For a benison to fall
On our meat, and on us all. Amen.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry as an Elixir of Life: An Interpretation of Robert Herrick's "Another Grace For A Child"
"Another Grace For A Child" is a delightful poem by Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet known for his witty and lyrical verse. The poem is part of his larger collection of poems, "Hesperides," which celebrates the joys and sorrows of life in a charming and playful manner.
In this poem, Herrick presents poetry as an elixir of life, a source of solace and inspiration for children as they navigate the challenges of growing up. He also highlights the importance of family and community in nurturing and supporting children, and the role of poetry in bringing people together and fostering a sense of shared experience.
The Poem
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a closer look at the text:
Lord, with what care hast thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters Deliver us to laws; they send us bound To rules of reason, holy messengers, Pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, Afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, Fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, Bibles laid open, millions of surprises, Blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, The sound of Glory ringing in our ears; Without, our shame; within, our consciences; Angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears.
Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away.
The poem is structured as a prayer, addressed to God, in which the speaker reflects on the various ways in which children are protected and guided in their journey through life. The opening lines express gratitude and awe at the care and attention God has shown in surrounding us with guardians and mentors who teach us the ways of the world.
The poem then lists these various guardians: parents who raise us, schoolmasters who educate us, laws and rules that govern us, religious figures who guide us, and the many trials and tribulations we face along the way. These guardians are represented as "fences" and "nets" that protect us from harm and steer us towards virtue.
However, the final couplet of the poem undermines this sense of security and stability. The speaker acknowledges that despite all these safeguards, "one cunning bosom-sin" can still blow everything away. This sin is not specified, but it is likely meant to represent the various temptations and failings that humans are prone to, and which can derail even the most carefully crafted plans.
Interpretation
So what is Herrick trying to convey through this poem? One possible reading is that he is emphasizing the fragility and contingency of human existence, and the need for constant vigilance in the face of temptation and adversity. Despite all the guardians and guides that surround us, we are ultimately responsible for our own actions and must be wary of our own weaknesses.
Another, more optimistic interpretation is that Herrick is celebrating the resilience and adaptability of human beings, and the role that poetry can play in helping us navigate the challenges of life. By invoking all the various "fences" and "nets" that surround us, Herrick is highlighting the complex web of relationships and institutions that make up human society, and which provide us with a framework for making sense of the world.
At the same time, Herrick is also acknowledging the limitations of these structures, and the fact that they can never fully protect us from harm. The final couplet of the poem is therefore not a condemnation of human frailty, but a recognition of our shared vulnerability and the need for compassion and understanding.
In this sense, the poem can be read as a call to action, inviting readers to join together in a spirit of mutual support and empathy. The reference to "Bibles laid open" and "eternal hopes and fears" suggests that the poem is intended to have a religious or spiritual dimension, emphasizing the importance of faith and community in helping us cope with the uncertainties of life.
At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the power of poetry itself, which is presented as a kind of magic elixir that can heal and inspire. By addressing the poem as a prayer, Herrick is highlighting its spiritual and transformative qualities, and suggesting that it has the power to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Conclusion
"Another Grace For A Child" is a beautiful and complex poem that rewards close reading and careful interpretation. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical language, it conveys a profound sense of the joys and sorrows of human existence, and the importance of family, community, and faith in helping us navigate the challenges of life.
At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the power of poetry itself, which is presented as a kind of elixir of life, capable of healing and inspiring us even in the darkest of times. By combining these two themes, Herrick creates a work of art that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, and which speaks to the enduring power of literature to transform and uplift us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Another Grace For A Child: A Poem of Love and Blessings
Robert Herrick’s poem, Another Grace For A Child, is a beautiful and heartwarming piece that celebrates the love and blessings that come with the birth of a child. Written in the 17th century, this classic poem has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and move readers today.
At its core, Another Grace For A Child is a prayer of thanksgiving and a wish for the child’s well-being. The poem is structured as a series of blessings, each one asking for a different kind of grace to be bestowed upon the child. From health and happiness to wisdom and grace, Herrick’s words paint a picture of a child who is loved and cherished by all.
The poem begins with the speaker asking for the child to be blessed with health and strength:
"Lord, with what care hast thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters Deliver us to laws; they send us bound To rules of reason, holy messengers, Pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, Afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, Fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, Bibles laid open, millions of surprises, Blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, The sound of glory ringing in our ears; Without, our shame; within, our consciences; Angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away."
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come. The speaker acknowledges the care and guidance that parents and teachers provide, but also recognizes the challenges and temptations that come with life. The reference to “fine nets and stratagems” suggests that the world is full of traps and snares that can ensnare us if we are not careful. However, the speaker also acknowledges the blessings and grace that come with a life of faith, including “eternal hopes and fears.”
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of blessings, asking for the child to be blessed with happiness and joy:
"Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away. Happy are we, then, if we steer aright! And sweet it is to live, if but to fight."
Here, the speaker suggests that the key to happiness is to “steer aright,” or to live a life of virtue and righteousness. The reference to “fighting” suggests that this is not always easy, but that the struggle is worth it in the end. The poem then moves on to ask for other blessings, including wisdom, grace, and beauty:
"Yet should thy grace, Lord, once distant grow, And we want tongues thy graces to show, Oh, give us then our passions and our fill; Take not away thy gifts and yet our will. The world is but a carcass; rotted, clad With silk and gold, and brimstone underneath, Wherein, if we but dive, oh, 'tis a sad Division that returns us such a death. Yet still, Lord, thou art merciful; still spare Our faults, and with thy grace our souls repair."
In these lines, the speaker acknowledges that even with all the blessings of life, there are times when we may feel distant from God. However, the speaker asks that even in these times, God would not take away his gifts, but rather help us to use them for good. The reference to the world as a “carcass” suggests that material possessions and worldly pleasures are ultimately empty and meaningless. Instead, the speaker suggests that true beauty and grace come from within, and that these are the qualities that should be valued above all else.
Overall, Another Grace For A Child is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the love and blessings that come with the birth of a child. Through its words, we are reminded of the importance of faith, virtue, and righteousness, and of the many gifts that God bestows upon us. Whether read as a prayer or simply as a work of art, this classic poem continues to inspire and uplift readers today.
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