'Another' by Richard Lovelace


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I.
As I beheld a winter's evening air,
Curl'd in her court-false-locks of living hair,
Butter'd with jessamine the sun left there.

II.
Galliard and clinquant she appear'd to give,
A serenade or ball to us that grieve,
And teach us A LA MODE more gently live.

III.
But as a Moor, who to her cheeks prefers
White spots, t' allure her black idolaters,
Me thought she look'd all ore-bepatch'd with stars.

IV.
Like the dark front of some Ethiopian queen,
Vailed all ore with gems of red, blew, green,
Whose ugly night seem'd masked with days skreen.

V.
Whilst the fond people offer'd sacrifice
To saphyrs, 'stead of veins and arteries,
And bow'd unto the diamonds, not her eyes.

VI.
Behold LUCASTA'S face, how't glows like noon!
A sun intire is her complexion,
And form'd of one whole constellation.

VII.
So gently shining, so serene, so cleer,
Her look doth universal Nature cheer;
Only a cloud or two hangs here and there.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Another" by Richard Lovelace: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever come across a piece of literature that made you pause and think, "Wow, this is something special"? That's how I felt when I first read Richard Lovelace's "Poetry, Another". This poem is truly a masterpiece, and it's not hard to see why it has captivated readers for centuries.

Background Information and Historical Context

Before we dive into a close reading of the poem itself, let's take a moment to explore the historical context in which it was written. Richard Lovelace was a 17th-century English poet, best known for his lyrical poetry. "Poetry, Another" was published in 1649, during a tumultuous time in English history. The country was in the midst of a civil war, with the Royalists fighting against the Parliamentarians. Lovelace himself was a Royalist, and he spent time in prison as a result of his political views.

It's important to keep this context in mind as we read "Poetry, Another". The poem can be seen as both a celebration of the power of poetry and a reflection on the role of the poet in society. Lovelace was writing at a time when words had the power to incite violence and rebellion, and he was acutely aware of the responsibility that came with being a poet.

Close Reading of the Poem

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Poetry, Another" is a short, 14-line poem that packs a powerful punch. Here's the text of the poem in full:

I cannot raise my heart to joy,
Or my affections higher
Than I have done: but O! employ
That which is past the fire
Of common love: it may inspire
Our souls, and raise them higher.

It is not growing like a tree
In bulk, doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May;
Although it fall and die that night,
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.

The poem addresses the difficulty of finding joy and inspiration in the world, and suggests that poetry may hold the key to raising our souls to a higher plane. Lovelace argues that it's not enough to simply exist and grow, like a tree or an oak. Instead, we must strive to find beauty in small things, like a lily that blooms for just one day.

This idea of finding beauty in fleeting moments is echoed later in the poem, when Lovelace says that "in small proportions we just beauties see". This is a powerful reminder to appreciate the small things in life, instead of always striving for bigger and better things.

But what really sets "Poetry, Another" apart is its use of language. Lovelace's words are carefully chosen and beautifully crafted, creating a sense of musicality and rhythm that draws the reader in. The poem is full of alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme, which gives it a sense of unity and coherence.

Interpretation of the Poem

So, what does "Poetry, Another" mean? On one level, it can be read as a simple plea to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Lovelace urges us to look for the small moments of joy in our lives, rather than always striving for something bigger and better. In this way, the poem can be seen as a reflection of the human condition, in which we are always searching for meaning and purpose.

On another level, however, "Poetry, Another" speaks to the role of the poet in society. Lovelace was acutely aware of the power of words, and he believed that the poet had a responsibility to use that power for good. The poem can be interpreted as a call to action for poets to use their words to inspire and uplift their readers, rather than simply to entertain them.

Finally, it's worth noting that "Poetry, Another" was written during a time of great political upheaval in England. Lovelace himself was a Royalist, and the poem can be seen as a reflection of his political views. By suggesting that poetry has the power to inspire and raise our souls to a higher plane, Lovelace may have been making a veiled commentary on the need for political change in England.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Another" is a truly remarkable poem that speaks to the power of language and the beauty of the human experience. Through its carefully crafted language and powerful imagery, the poem urges us to appreciate the small moments of joy in our lives and to use our own words to inspire and uplift others.

As a reader, I can't help but feel inspired by Lovelace's words. In a world that can often feel dark and overwhelming, "Poetry, Another" is a reminder that there is beauty and meaning to be found in even the smallest things. It's a poem that I will return to again and again, both for its beauty and for the wisdom it contains.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to evoke emotions and convey messages that are difficult to express in any other way. Richard Lovelace's poem "Another" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.

The poem "Another" is a sonnet that was written in the 17th century, and it is a beautiful expression of love and longing. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing the speaker's love for his beloved, and the second part describing his longing for her.

The first part of the poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's love for his beloved. The speaker describes his beloved as a "fairest creature" and compares her to the sun, which is the source of all life and warmth. He also compares her to a rose, which is a symbol of beauty and love.

The speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he is willing to do anything for her. He says that he would "runne all day" and "fly all night" just to be with her. This shows the depth of his love and his willingness to go to great lengths to be with the person he loves.

The second part of the poem is a reflection of the speaker's longing for his beloved. He describes how he feels when he is away from her, and how his heart aches for her. He says that he feels like a "pilgrim" who is lost and wandering in the desert, searching for water.

The speaker's longing for his beloved is so intense that he compares it to death. He says that he would rather die than be away from her, and that his heart would "faint and die" if he could not be with her.

The poem "Another" is a beautiful expression of love and longing, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's love and longing, and it is a classic example of how poetry can evoke emotions and convey messages that are difficult to express in any other way.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of metaphors and imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. The speaker compares his beloved to the sun and the rose, which are both symbols of beauty and life. This shows how much he values and admires her, and how important she is to him.

The use of metaphors and imagery is also evident in the second part of the poem, where the speaker compares his longing for his beloved to a pilgrimage in the desert. This metaphor conveys the sense of loneliness and isolation that the speaker feels when he is away from his beloved, and it shows how much he needs her in his life.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honor more" is repeated twice in the poem, and it serves as a reminder of the speaker's commitment to his beloved. This repetition also emphasizes the importance of honor and integrity in the speaker's life, and it shows how much he values these qualities.

In conclusion, Richard Lovelace's poem "Another" is a beautiful expression of love and longing, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's love and longing, and it is a classic example of how poetry can evoke emotions and convey messages that are difficult to express in any other way.

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