'HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL' by Robert Herrick
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You may vow I'll not forget
To pay the debt
Which to thy memory stands as due
As faith can seal it you.
--Take then tribute of my tears;
So long as I have fears
To prompt me, I shall ever
Languish and look, but thy return see never.
Oh then to lessen my despair,
Print thy lips into(the air,
So by this
Means, I may kiss thy kiss,
Whenas some kind
Wind
Shall hither waft it:--And, in lieu,
My lips shall send a thousand back to you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
HIS MISTRESS TO HIM AT HIS FAREWELL: A LITERARY CRITICISM AND INTERPRETATION
Robert Herrick's "His Mistress to Him at His Farewell" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a timeless love poem that expresses the feelings of a woman who is bidding farewell to her lover. The poem has been analyzed by many literary critics and scholars over the years, and it is regarded as one of Herrick's most famous works.
The Poem
Before diving into the poem's interpretation, let us take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Here is the poem in its entirety:
You may vow I'll not forget
To pay the debt
Which to thy memory stands as due
As faith can seal it you.
But will you ever come
To see the sum,
And pay the bonds yet due to me,
Which broke, you may remember, we?
Dear friend, then let us swear
Again to ne'er
Break faith or leave the band
Till death close up the gaping hand.
Interpretation
The poem is essentially about a woman bidding farewell to her lover. She reminds him that he owes her a debt, just as she owes him her eternal memory. The woman acknowledges that her lover may not be able to fulfill his debt in person, but she reminds him that he can still pay it by being loyal to her memory. The poem also acknowledges that their relationship has been rocky in the past, but they both vow to remain faithful until death.
One interpretation of the poem is that it speaks to the fleeting nature of love. The woman in the poem is aware that her lover may never return, but she still holds onto the hope that their love will endure. This theme is common in many of Herrick's poems, and it speaks to his belief in the power of love and the beauty of human relationships.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is an allegory for the transience of life. The woman in the poem may represent life itself, while the lover represents the passing of time. The poem suggests that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have with the people we love.
Literary Criticism
The poem's structure is also worth examining. The poem is written in a strict rhyme scheme, with each line ending in a rhyming couplet. This structure emphasizes the poem's themes of loyalty and faithfulness, as each line echoes and reinforces the previous one. The strict structure also gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is a common feature of many of Herrick's poems.
The language used in the poem is also noteworthy. The use of the word "dear" to describe the lover suggests a deep affection between the two characters. The use of the word "band" in the last stanza reinforces the idea of the couple's commitment to each other. The use of the word "gap" to describe death is also significant, as it suggests that death is not an end, but merely a temporary separation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "His Mistress to Him at His Farewell" is a beautifully written poem that explores themes of love, loyalty, and the transience of life. The poem's strict structure and language reinforce its themes, and the poem has stood the test of time as a classic work of literature. It is no wonder that the poem is still studied and analyzed by literary critics and poetry enthusiasts to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Herrick's "His Mistress to Him at His Farewell" is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its timeless beauty and emotional depth. This poem is a perfect example of Herrick's mastery of language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his words. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem is written in the form of a farewell message from a mistress to her lover who is leaving her. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the mistress expressing her sadness at the departure of her lover. She tells him that she will miss him and that she wishes he could stay with her forever. The imagery used in this stanza is that of a garden, with the mistress comparing her lover to a flower that she has nurtured and cared for.
The second stanza is more introspective, with the mistress reflecting on her own feelings and emotions. She tells her lover that she will never forget him and that he will always be a part of her life. The imagery used in this stanza is that of a river, with the mistress comparing her emotions to the flow of water. She tells her lover that her love for him will continue to flow like a river, never stopping or slowing down.
The third and final stanza is the most emotional and powerful of the three. The mistress tells her lover that she will always love him, even if he forgets her. She tells him that her love for him is eternal and that it will never die. The imagery used in this stanza is that of a flame, with the mistress comparing her love to a fire that will never go out.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the use of imagery. Herrick uses a variety of images to convey the emotions and feelings of the mistress. The garden, river, and flame are all powerful symbols that help to bring the poem to life. The garden represents the love and care that the mistress has for her lover, while the river represents the flow of her emotions. The flame represents the eternal nature of her love, which will never be extinguished.
Another important aspect of this poem is the language used by Herrick. His use of language is simple and direct, yet it is also incredibly powerful. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it feel like a personal message from the mistress to her lover. The language is also very emotive, with Herrick using words like "sadness," "tears," and "love" to convey the depth of the mistress's feelings.
The themes of this poem are also very important. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and eternity. The mistress's love for her lover is so strong that it will continue to exist even after he has left her. This theme of eternal love is a common one in literature, but Herrick's treatment of it is particularly powerful.
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "His Mistress to Him at His Farewell" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and eternity. The imagery, language, and themes used in this poem all work together to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader. This poem is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his writing.
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