'THE BEGGAR TO MAB, THE FAIRY QUEEN' by Robert Herrick


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Please your Grace, from out your store
Give an alms to one that's poor,
That your mickle may have more.
Black I'm grown for want of meat,
Give me then an ant to eat,
Or the cleft ear of a mouse
Over-sour'd in drink of souce;
Or, sweet lady, reach to me
The abdomen of a bee;
Or commend a cricket's hip,
Or his huckson, to my scrip;
Give for bread, a little bit
Of a pease that 'gins to chit,
And my full thanks take for it.
Flour of fuz-balls, that's too good
For a man in needy-hood;
But the meal of mill-dust can
Well content a craving man;
Any orts the elves refuse
Well will serve the beggar's use.
But if this may seem too much
For an alms, then give me such
Little bits that nestle there
In the pris'ner's pannier.
So a blessing light upon
You, and mighty Oberon;
That your plenty last till when
I return your alms again.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen: An Enchanting Ode to the Power of Imagination

Are you ready to be transported to a world of magic, wonder, and beauty? Then come with me on a journey through Robert Herrick's "The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen," one of the most enchanting and evocative poems in English literature.

At its heart, "The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen" is a celebration of the power of the imagination to transform the mundane into the marvelous, the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through the eyes of a beggar who is visited by the fairy queen Mab, Herrick invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, to see the beauty and wonder that surrounds us but that we often overlook or take for granted.

The poem begins with the beggar addressing Mab, the queen of the fairies, who has come to visit him in his humble abode. The beggar is overwhelmed by her beauty and grace, and he exclaims:

"Come, queen of fairies, come; and with your pretty Fingers, pinch me dead; for I am so amaz'd, I know not where I am, nor what I said!"

These opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of vivid and lyrical descriptions of the world as seen through the beggar's eyes. Herrick's use of language is particularly striking here, as he employs a range of poetic techniques to convey the beggar's sense of wonder and enchantment.

For example, the beggar describes Mab's dress as "a rich gown of frolic green, / Bedeck'd with many a faire and curious lily." This image is both beautiful and playful, evoking the sense of joy and delight that the beggar feels in Mab's presence.

Similarly, Herrick uses imagery to convey the beggar's sense of awe at the natural world around him. He describes the "hills, and dales, / Forests, and meadows, … rivers, and rills" that surround him, using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of a world that is alive with beauty and vitality.

One of the most striking things about "The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen" is the way in which Herrick uses language to create a sense of movement and energy. The poem is full of active verbs, such as "dance," "trip," and "skip," which convey the sense of play, movement, and vitality that is so central to the poem's themes.

Moreover, Herrick's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that adds to its sense of enchantment and delight. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a rhythmic and flowing quality that is both beautiful and captivating.

As the poem draws to a close, the beggar is left alone once again, but he is forever changed by his encounter with Mab. He realizes that the world is full of wonder and beauty, and he vows to see it with fresh eyes from that day forward.

In many ways, "The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of poetry itself. Like the beggar, poets have the power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, to see the world with fresh eyes and to convey that sense of wonder and enchantment to others.

In conclusion, "The Beggar to Mab, The Fairy Queen" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the power of the imagination to transform the world around us. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and sense of play, the poem invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, to find beauty and wonder in the things we often overlook or take for granted. So come, let us join the beggar and dance with the fairies, for there is magic all around us if only we have the eyes to see it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Beggar to Mab, the Fairy Queen: A Classic Poetry Analysis

Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works often explore themes of love, nature, and spirituality. One of his most famous poems, The Beggar to Mab, the Fairy Queen, is a whimsical and enchanting piece that captures the imagination of its readers.

The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between a beggar and Mab, the Fairy Queen. The beggar, who is poor and destitute, asks Mab for her help. He begs her to grant him a wish, and in return, he promises to be her loyal servant. Mab, who is known for her magical powers, agrees to help the beggar and asks him what he desires.

The beggar's wish is simple yet profound. He asks Mab to give him the power to see the beauty in everything around him, even in the most mundane and ordinary things. He longs to see the world through the eyes of a child, with wonder and awe. He wants to be able to appreciate the smallest things in life, such as a blade of grass or a drop of dew.

Mab is impressed by the beggar's request and grants him his wish. She tells him that he will now see the world in a new light, and that he will be able to find joy and happiness in even the most difficult of circumstances. The beggar is overjoyed and thanks Mab for her kindness.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery and rich symbolism. Mab, the Fairy Queen, represents the magical and mystical aspects of life. She is a symbol of hope and possibility, and her powers represent the limitless potential of the human spirit. The beggar, on the other hand, represents the human condition. He is poor and destitute, but he is also humble and grateful. His wish to see the beauty in everything is a reflection of his innermost desires and aspirations.

The poem also explores the theme of perception. The beggar's wish to see the world in a new light is a reminder that our perception of reality is often shaped by our own biases and prejudices. We often see what we want to see, and we miss the beauty and wonder that is right in front of us. The beggar's wish is a call to open our eyes and see the world as it truly is, with all its flaws and imperfections.

The poem is also a celebration of the power of imagination. The beggar's wish is not just a request for a magical power, but it is also a call to use our imagination to create a better world. The beggar's ability to see the beauty in everything is a reminder that we have the power to shape our own reality through our thoughts and beliefs.

In conclusion, The Beggar to Mab, the Fairy Queen is a classic poem that explores themes of hope, possibility, perception, and imagination. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and that we have the power to shape our own reality. The poem's vivid imagery and rich symbolism make it a timeless piece that continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.

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