'To Fletcher Reviv'd' by Richard Lovelace
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How have I bin religious? what strange good
Has scap't me, that I never understood?
Have I hel-guarded Haeresie o'rthrowne?
Heald wounded states? made kings and kingdoms one?
That FATE should be so merciful to me,
To let me live t' have said I have read thee.
Faire star, ascend! the joy! the life! the light
Of this tempestuous age, this darke worlds sight!
Oh, from thy crowne of glory dart one flame
May strike a sacred reverence, whilest thy name
(Like holy flamens to their god of day)
We bowing, sing; and whilst we praise, we pray.
Bright spirit! whose aeternal motion
Of wit, like Time, stil in it selfe did run,
Binding all others in it, and did give
Commission, how far this or that shal live;
Like DESTINY of poems who, as she
Signes death to all, her selfe cam never dye.
And now thy purple-robed Traegedy,
In her imbroider'd buskins, cals mine eye,
Where the brave Aetius we see betray'd,
T' obey his death, whom thousand lives obey'd;
Whilst that the mighty foole his scepter breakes,
And through his gen'rals wounds his own doome speakes,
Weaving thus richly VALENTINIAN,
The costliest monarch with the cheapest man.
Souldiers may here to their old glories adde,
The LOVER love, and be with reason MAD:
Not, as of old, Alcides furious,
Who wilder then his bull did teare the house
(Hurling his language with the canvas stone):
Twas thought the monster ror'd the sob'rer tone.
But ah! when thou thy sorrow didst inspire
With passions, blacke as is her darke attire,
Virgins as sufferers have wept to see
So white a soule, so red a crueltie;
That thou hast griev'd, and with unthought redresse
Dri'd their wet eyes who now thy mercy blesse;
Yet, loth to lose thy watry jewell, when
Joy wip't it off, laughter straight sprung't agen.
Now ruddy checked Mirth with rosie wings
Fans ev'ry brow with gladnesse, whilst she sings
Delight to all, and the whole theatre
A festivall in heaven doth appeare:
Nothing but pleasure, love; and (like the morne)
Each face a gen'ral smiling doth adorne.
Heare ye, foul speakers, that pronounce the aire
Of stewes and shores, I will informe you where
And how to cloath aright your wanton wit,
Without her nasty bawd attending it:
View here a loose thought sayd with such a grace,
Minerva might have spoke in Venus face;
So well disguis'd, that 'twas conceiv'd by none
But Cupid had Diana's linnen on;
And all his naked parts so vail'd, th' expresse
The shape with clowding the uncomlinesse;
That if this Reformation, which we
Receiv'd, had not been buried with thee,
The stage (as this worke) might have liv'd and lov'd
Her lines, the austere Skarlet had approv'd;
And th' actors wisely been from that offence
As cleare, as they are now from audience.
Thus with thy Genius did the scaene expire,
Wanting thy active and correcting fire,
That now (to spread a darknesse over all)
Nothing remaines but Poesie to fall:
And though from these thy Embers we receive
Some warmth, so much as may be said, we live;
That we dare praise thee blushlesse, in the head
Of the best piece Hermes to Love e're read;
That we rejoyce and glory in thy wit,
And feast each other with remembring it;
That we dare speak thy thought, thy acts recite:
Yet all men henceforth be afraid to write.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Fletcher Reviv'd: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
By [Your Name]
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling as though you had been transported to another time and place? That is precisely the sensation one experiences when reading Richard Lovelace's "To Fletcher Reviv'd." This classic piece of poetry pays homage to the playwright John Fletcher, and is a powerful expression of Lovelace's admiration for him. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore the various ways in which Lovelace's work has stood the test of time.
Background
Before we begin, a little bit of background information is necessary to fully appreciate "To Fletcher Reviv'd." John Fletcher was a playwright who lived in the 17th century, and was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Fletcher was known for his collaboration with playwright Francis Beaumont, and together they wrote plays such as "The Maid's Tragedy" and "Philaster." In "To Fletcher Reviv'd," Lovelace pays tribute to Fletcher's legacy and his contribution to English literature.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "To Fletcher Reviv'd" is the idea of immortality through art. Lovelace believes that even though Fletcher is no longer alive, his legacy lives on through the works he created. He writes:
"Thy mighty ghost from his far orb looks on. And, when he hears thy voice, the spheres move on In tuneful order; whilst the listening stars Stand in mute wonder at thy holy wars."
These lines convey the idea that Fletcher's art is timeless and transcends the limitations of mortality. Even though he is no longer with us, his influence is still felt, and his contributions to literature continue to inspire generations of writers.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the power of language. Lovelace's language is rich and vivid, filled with metaphors and imagery that bring Fletcher's world to life. Take, for example, these lines:
"Thou hast th'art of numbers, and thy skill Can make a barren field an Eden still; And give the morning-birds as sweet a tone As ever issued from the Triton's cone."
Here, Lovelace is expressing his admiration for Fletcher's ability to use language to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. He believes that Fletcher's words have the power to create beauty where there was once only desolation, and that his poetry is capable of evoking the sweetest melodies.
Structure
The structure of "To Fletcher Reviv'd" is relatively simple, with four stanzas consisting of four lines each. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, meaning that each line has four stressed and four unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a steady, rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear.
Although the structure of the poem is simple, the language Lovelace employs is anything but. His metaphors and imagery are intricate and complex, and require careful consideration in order to fully appreciate their beauty. Take, for example, these lines:
"And I could envy thee, if envy were A thing that could find entrance in that sphere; Where thou and Shakespeare with an equal grace Have crowned yourselves the lords of the whole race."
Here, Lovelace is expressing his admiration for Fletcher and Shakespeare, and acknowledging their place as the greatest playwrights of their time. The language is rich and complex, with multiple layers of meaning that speak to the depth and complexity of Lovelace's admiration.
Language
The language of "To Fletcher Reviv'd" is perhaps its most striking feature. Lovelace's use of metaphor and imagery is intricate and complex, and requires careful consideration in order to fully appreciate its beauty. Take, for example, these lines:
"Thou hast the art of numbers, and thy skill Can make a barren field an Eden still; And give the morning-birds as sweet a tone As ever issued from the Triton's cone."
Here, Lovelace is expressing his admiration for Fletcher's use of language to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. The metaphor of the "barren field" becoming an "Eden" is particularly noteworthy, as it speaks to the power of language to create beauty where there was once only ugliness.
Another example of Lovelace's use of metaphor and imagery can be found in these lines:
"Thy mighty ghost from his far orb looks on. And, when he hears thy voice, the spheres move on In tuneful order; whilst the listening stars Stand in mute wonder at thy holy wars."
In these lines, Lovelace is using metaphor to convey the idea that Fletcher's art is timeless and transcends the limitations of mortality. The notion of Fletcher's "mighty ghost" looking down from above is a powerful image, one that speaks to the idea of immortality through art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To Fletcher Reviv'd" is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry, one that speaks to the enduring legacy of John Fletcher and the power of language to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Lovelace's use of metaphor and imagery is intricate and complex, and requires careful consideration in order to fully appreciate its beauty. Ultimately, however, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of art, and the belief that even though our bodies may perish, our legacies can live on forever.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Fletcher Reviv'd: A Masterpiece of Literary Revival
Richard Lovelace, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his contributions to the Cavalier poets' movement. His works are characterized by their romanticism, wit, and elegance. Among his many works, Poetry To Fletcher Reviv'd stands out as a masterpiece of literary revival. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, style, and significance of this poem.
The poem is a tribute to John Fletcher, a 17th-century playwright, and poet. Fletcher was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and collaborated with him on several plays. However, unlike Shakespeare, Fletcher's works were not as widely recognized and appreciated. Lovelace, in his poem, seeks to revive Fletcher's legacy and bring his works to the forefront of literary appreciation.
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic flow, making it easy to read and recite. The rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musicality, making it a pleasure to listen to.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Lovelace begins by addressing Fletcher directly, saying, "Fletcher, to thee we do not only owe/ More than to all the English poets since/ Thy days, but all of thine." Here, Lovelace acknowledges Fletcher's contribution to English literature and emphasizes his importance. He goes on to say that Fletcher's works have been neglected for too long and that it is time to revive them.
In the second stanza, Lovelace praises Fletcher's works, saying, "Thy scenes alone had taught us how to express/ A passion, which our souls before did guess." Here, Lovelace acknowledges Fletcher's mastery of the art of expression. He goes on to say that Fletcher's works have taught them how to express their emotions better. This is a significant statement as it shows the impact Fletcher's works have had on Lovelace and his contemporaries.
The third stanza is a call to action. Lovelace urges his readers to read Fletcher's works and appreciate them. He says, "Then read his plays, and in them see/ A fate that's kinder than thy destiny." Here, Lovelace is saying that by reading Fletcher's works, one can find solace and comfort in the characters' fates. He is urging his readers to give Fletcher's works a chance and not dismiss them as outdated or irrelevant.
In the fourth stanza, Lovelace acknowledges that Fletcher's works may not be perfect. He says, "Yet though thou'rt not without thy faults, we may/ As well love thee, as those that have less clay." Here, Lovelace is saying that even though Fletcher's works may have flaws, they are still worthy of love and appreciation. He is also comparing Fletcher's works to those of other poets, saying that they are just as good, if not better.
The fifth stanza is a tribute to Fletcher's legacy. Lovelace says, "Thou hast redeemed from time those faults, which lay/ Upon thy fame, and shall it ever pay." Here, Lovelace is saying that Fletcher's works have stood the test of time and that his legacy will live on forever. He is acknowledging that Fletcher's works may have been neglected in the past, but they have been redeemed and will continue to be appreciated in the future.
In the final stanza, Lovelace concludes his tribute to Fletcher. He says, "Thus we salute thee with our utmost strain/ Of early praises, and thy worth maintain." Here, Lovelace is saying that he and his contemporaries are doing their best to revive Fletcher's legacy and maintain his worth. He is acknowledging that it is their responsibility to ensure that Fletcher's works are not forgotten and that they continue to be appreciated.
In conclusion, Poetry To Fletcher Reviv'd is a masterpiece of literary revival. Lovelace's tribute to Fletcher is a testament to the impact Fletcher's works had on English literature. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and meter add to its musicality, making it a pleasure to read and recite. Lovelace's use of language is elegant and sophisticated, reflecting the romanticism and wit of the Cavalier poets' movement. Overall, Poetry To Fletcher Reviv'd is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature and the revival of forgotten works.
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