'Cavalier Tunes' by Robert Browning


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I. MARCHING ALONG.

I.

Kentish Sir Byng stood for his King,
Bidding the crop-headed Parliament swing:
And, pressing a troop unable to stoop
And see the rogues flourish and honest folk droop,
Marched them along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

II.

God for King Charles! Pym and such carles
To the Devil that prompts 'em their treasonous parles!
Cavaliers, up!Lips from the cup,
Hands from the pasty, nor bite take nor sup
Till you're---

CHORUS.---Marching along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

III.

Hampden to hell, and his obsequies' knell
Serve Hazelrig, Fiennes, and young Harry as well!
England, good cheer!Rupert is near!
Kentish and loyalists, keep we not here

CHORUS.---Marching along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song?

IV.

Then, God for King Charles!Pym and his snarls
To the Devil that pricks on such pestilent carles!
Hold by the right, you double your might;
So, onward to Nottingham, fresh for the fight,

CHORUS.---March we along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song!



II. GIVE A ROUSE.

I.

King Charles, and who'll do him right now?
King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now?
Give a rouse: here's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!

II.

Who gave me the goods that went since?
Who raised me the house that sank once?
Who helped me to gold I spent since?
Who found me in wine you drank once?

CHORUS.---King Charles, and who'll do him right now?
King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now?
Give a rouse: here's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!

III.

To whom used my boy George quaff else,
By the old fool's side that begot him?
For whom did he cheer and laugh else,
While Noll's damned troopers shot him?

CHORUS.---King Charles, and who'll do him right now?
King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now?
Give a rouse: here's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!



III.BOOT AND SADDLE.

I.

Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
Rescue my castle before the hot day
Brightens to blue from its silvery grey,

CHORUS.---Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!

II.

Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you'd say;
Many's the friend there, will listen and pray
``God's luck to gallants that strike up the lay---

CHORUS.---``Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!''

III.

Forty miles off, like a roebuck at bay,
Flouts Castle Brancepeth the Roundheads' array:
Who laughs, ``Good fellows ere this, by my fay,

CHORUS.---``Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!''

IV.

Who?My wife Gertrude; that, honest and gay,
Laughs when you talkof surrendering, ``Nay!
``I've better counsellors; what counsel they?

CHORUS.---``Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!''


Editor 1 Interpretation

An Exciting Interpretation of Robert Browning's Cavalier Tunes

If you're a lover of classic poetry, you must have heard of Robert Browning's Cavalier Tunes. The poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and is still relevant today. It is a reflection of the Cavalier era in England, which was marked by royalist sentiments, love, and war.

In this literary criticism, I'll take you through a detailed analysis of the poem, its themes, and its relevance in today's world.

Overview of the Poem

Cavalier Tunes is a collection of three poems, "Marching Along," "Give a Rouse," and "Boot and Saddle." The poems were written in 1842 and published in Browning's collection, Dramatic Lyrics.

The first poem, "Marching Along," is a song of patriotism and loyalty to the King. The second, "Give a Rouse," is a drinking song that celebrates the joy of life and friendship. The last, "Boot and Saddle," is a war song that expresses the excitement of battle and the thrill of victory.

Analysis of the Poem

The Cavalier Era

To understand the poem, we must first understand the Cavalier era in England. The era spanned from the 1620s to the 1650s and was marked by the conflict between the royalists and the parliamentarians. The royalists were loyal to the King and supported the monarchy, while the parliamentarians wanted a republic.

The Cavalier era was also marked by a love for life, art, and music. The Cavaliers were known for their flamboyant fashion, love of parties, and appreciation of the finer things in life.

Themes

The themes of the poem are patriotism, friendship, and war.

In "Marching Along," Browning celebrates loyalty to the King and patriotism. The poem is a call to arms for the royalists to fight for their King and country.

In "Give a Rouse," Browning celebrates the joy of life and friendship. The poem is a drinking song that encourages people to live life to the fullest and enjoy the company of their friends.

In "Boot and Saddle," Browning expresses the excitement of battle and the thrill of victory. The poem is a war song that celebrates the courage and bravery of soldiers in battle.

Literary Devices

Browning uses several literary devices in the poem, including alliteration, repetition, and imagery.

In "Marching Along," Browning uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, "Forward the Light Brigade!" creates a sense of urgency and excitement.

In "Give a Rouse," Browning uses repetition to create a sense of unity and camaraderie. The repeated phrase "give a rouse" encourages the listeners to join in and celebrate life with their friends.

In "Boot and Saddle," Browning uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the battlefield. The line "Horses are coming, their clattering sounds/Trumpets are braying, their banner flings" creates a sense of chaos and excitement on the battlefield.

Relevance Today

Despite being written in the 19th century, Cavalier Tunes is still relevant today. The themes of patriotism, friendship, and war are still relevant in today's world.

In a world where political divisions are deepening, "Marching Along" reminds us of the importance of loyalty to our country and the need to fight for what we believe in.

In a world where people are becoming increasingly isolated, "Give a Rouse" reminds us of the joy of life and the importance of friendship.

In a world where wars and conflicts continue to rage, "Boot and Saddle" reminds us of the courage and bravery of soldiers who fight for their country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Browning's Cavalier Tunes is a masterpiece that celebrates the Cavalier era in England. The poem is a reflection of the patriotism, friendship, and love of life that characterized the era.

The poem is still relevant today and serves as a reminder of the importance of loyalty, friendship, and courage in our lives. I hope this literary criticism has helped you appreciate the poem and its themes.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Cavalier Tunes: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning

Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of writing that blends classical and modern elements. His works are characterized by their complex structure, vivid imagery, and profound philosophical insights. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Cavalier Tunes stands out as a shining example of his genius. This poem, written in 1842, is a collection of three short ballads that celebrate the spirit of the cavalier, a term used to describe the supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War. In this article, we will analyze and explain the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Poetry Cavalier Tunes.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry Cavalier Tunes is the celebration of the cavalier spirit, which is characterized by a love of freedom, honor, and adventure. The cavaliers were known for their bravery, chivalry, and loyalty to their king, even in the face of defeat. Browning captures this spirit in the first ballad, "Marching Along," which describes the cavaliers' march to battle with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The second ballad, "Give a Rouse," celebrates the cavaliers' love of wine, women, and song, and their refusal to be bound by convention or morality. The final ballad, "Boot and Saddle," is a call to arms, urging the cavaliers to rise up and fight for their cause, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Structure

Poetry Cavalier Tunes is structured as a collection of three short ballads, each with its own distinct rhythm and meter. The first ballad, "Marching Along," is written in trochaic tetrameter, which gives it a strong, marching rhythm. The second ballad, "Give a Rouse," is written in anapestic tetrameter, which gives it a more playful, lighthearted rhythm. The final ballad, "Boot and Saddle," is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a more urgent, forceful rhythm. The use of different meters and rhythms adds to the overall musicality of the poem and helps to convey the different moods and emotions of each ballad.

Literary Devices

Browning employs a variety of literary devices in Poetry Cavalier Tunes to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. One of the most prominent devices is repetition, which is used throughout the poem to emphasize certain words and phrases. For example, the phrase "boot and saddle" is repeated several times in the final ballad, creating a sense of urgency and excitement. Similarly, the phrase "give a rouse" is repeated several times in the second ballad, emphasizing the cavaliers' love of revelry and their refusal to be bound by convention.

Another important literary device used in Poetry Cavalier Tunes is imagery. Browning uses vivid, sensory imagery to bring the poem's scenes to life and to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the first ballad, he describes the "tramp of hoofs" and the "clang of arms," creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. In the second ballad, he describes the "sparkling wine" and the "rosy cheeks," creating a sense of joy and celebration. And in the final ballad, he describes the "bugle's note" and the "thundering cheer," creating a sense of urgency and determination.

Finally, Browning uses irony and satire to comment on the cavaliers' way of life and their ultimate fate. While he celebrates their bravery and spirit, he also acknowledges the futility of their cause and the tragic consequences of their actions. In the second ballad, for example, he describes the cavaliers' love of wine, women, and song, but also notes that "the king's cause went down in a whirlwind of war." And in the final ballad, he urges the cavaliers to "boot and saddle" and fight for their cause, but also notes that "the world is grown too hard and too hot for aught but love."

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Cavalier Tunes is a masterpiece of Robert Browning's poetic genius. Through its celebration of the cavalier spirit, its use of different meters and rhythms, and its employment of literary devices such as repetition, imagery, and irony, the poem captures the essence of a bygone era and the timeless themes of freedom, honor, and adventure. It is a testament to Browning's skill as a poet and his ability to create works that are both beautiful and profound.

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