'To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton- Court' by Richard Lovelace


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See! what a clouded majesty, and eyes
Whose glory through their mist doth brighter rise!
See! what an humble bravery doth shine,
And griefe triumphant breaking through each line,
How it commands the face! so sweet a scorne
Never did HAPPY MISERY adorne!
So sacred a contempt, that others show
To this, (oth' height of all the wheele) below,
That mightiest monarchs by this shaded booke
May coppy out their proudest, richest looke.

Whilst the true eaglet this quick luster spies,
And by his SUN'S enlightens his owne eyes;
He cures his cares, his burthen feeles, then streight
Joyes that so lightly he can beare such weight;
Whilst either eithers passion doth borrow,
And both doe grieve the same victorious sorrow.

These, my best LILLY, with so bold a spirit
And soft a grace, as if thou didst inherit
For that time all their greatnesse, and didst draw
With those brave eyes your royal sitters saw.

Not as of old, when a rough hand did speake
A strong aspect, and a faire face, a weake;
When only a black beard cried villaine, and
By hieroglyphicks we could understand;
When chrystall typified in a white spot,
And the bright ruby was but one red blot;
Thou dost the things Orientally the same
Not only paintst its colour, but its flame:
Thou sorrow canst designe without a teare,
And with the man his very hope or feare;
So that th' amazed world shall henceforth finde
None but my LILLY ever drew a MINDE.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Loving the Art and the Artist: A Deep Dive into Lovelace's "To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton-Court"

Richard Lovelace, one of the great metaphysical poets of the seventeenth century, is known for his eloquent and emotional lyricism. His works are marked by a deep sense of devotion, often expressed through the lens of his personal experiences. Among his many works, "To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton-Court" is a remarkable tribute to both the art and the artist.

The Poem

The poem, written in heroic couplets, is a tribute to Peter Lilly, a renowned painter of the seventeenth century, and his painting of King Charles II and the Duke of York. The poem opens with Lovelace addressing Lilly as his "worthy friend," a gesture of admiration and respect. He then moves on to describe the painting, praising its excellence and the skill of the artist.

The first stanza is dedicated to the description of the painting. Lovelace uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the painting. He describes the King and the Duke in their full glory, with the Duke holding a spear and the King holding a sceptre, their faces beaming with pride and confidence. The description is so detailed that it almost feels like we are looking at the painting ourselves. Lovelace's word choice and syntax create a sense of grandeur, befitting the status of the King and the Duke.

In the second stanza, Lovelace shifts his focus to Lilly, the painter. He praises Lilly's skill and his ability to capture the essence of the King and the Duke. Lovelace's admiration for Lilly is palpable in his words. He describes Lilly's skill as "matchless," and his artistry as "heavenly." Lovelace's tone here is one of pure adulation, and it is impossible not to be swept up in his appreciation for Lilly's painting.

In the third stanza, Lovelace further praises Lilly's artistry, describing the way in which Lilly has captured the King's likeness. He notes that the painting will be a lasting legacy of the King's reign, and that future generations will be able to appreciate the King's beauty and majesty through Lilly's painting. Lovelace's language here is particularly powerful, with phrases like "eternal life," and "deathless story" emphasizing the importance of Lilly's painting.

In the fourth stanza, Lovelace turns his attention back to Lilly, thanking him for his work and expressing his gratitude for the gift of the painting. He notes that the painting is a symbol of the friendship between Lilly and himself, and that it will always hold a special place in his heart.

The final stanza is a fitting conclusion to the poem, with Lovelace expressing his hope that Lilly's talent will continue to flourish and that his art will continue to bring joy to those who admire it. The final line, "Nay, may you live till all th' impostures cease, / And art by nature shall at once increase," is a beautiful expression of Lovelace's belief in the power of art to transcend time and to continue to inspire generations to come.

Analysis

Lovelace's poem is a masterpiece of emotion and eloquence. His love and admiration for both the art and the artist are clear throughout the poem. The poem is a tribute not only to Lilly's painting, but also to the power of art to capture and preserve the essence of its subject.

One of the most striking elements of the poem is Lovelace's use of language. His descriptions of the painting are lush and vivid, creating a sense of grandeur and majesty that is befitting of the King and the Duke. He uses powerful metaphors and similes to convey the skill of the artist, such as "the pencil's magic hand," and "the colours' living grace." His language creates a sense of awe and reverence that is palpable.

Another powerful element of the poem is Lovelace's use of imagery. His descriptions of the painting are so vivid that it almost feels like we are seeing it ourselves. He uses powerful images, such as the King holding his sceptre and the Duke holding his spear, to create a sense of power and authority. His descriptions of the King's beauty and majesty are particularly striking, and his language creates a sense of awe and admiration.

Lovelace's admiration for Lilly is also a key element of the poem. He praises Lilly's skill as a painter, describing his talent as "matchless" and "heavenly." His adulation is evident in his language, and it is clear that he holds Lilly in high regard. This admiration is not just for Lilly's technical skill, but also for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Lovelace notes that Lilly has captured the King's likeness perfectly, and that his painting will serve as a lasting legacy of the King's reign.

Finally, the poem is a powerful statement on the importance of art. Lovelace notes that Lilly's painting will last for generations, and that it will serve as a symbol of the King's majesty long after the King is gone. He expresses his hope that Lilly's talent will continue to flourish, and that his art will continue to bring joy to those who admire it. The final line, with its expression of faith in the power of art to transcend time and to continue to inspire, is a fitting conclusion to the poem.

Conclusion

"To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton-Court" is a remarkable tribute to both the art and the artist. Lovelace's love and admiration for both are evident throughout the poem, and his language and imagery create a sense of awe and reverence that is palpable. The poem is a powerful statement on the importance of art, and its ability to capture and preserve the essence of its subject. It is a testament to Lovelace's skill as a poet, and to his deep appreciation for the beauty and power of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton- Court is a classic poem written by Richard Lovelace. This poem is a tribute to the artistic skills of Peter Lilly, who was a renowned portrait painter of his time. The poem is a celebration of the painting of King Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York, which was drawn by Lilly at Hampton Court.

The poem is written in a very elegant and sophisticated style, which is typical of the 17th century. Lovelace uses a lot of poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and allusions to convey his message. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different focus.

In the first stanza, Lovelace praises the painting and the artist who created it. He describes the painting as a masterpiece that captures the essence of the two royal brothers. He uses metaphors to describe the painting, comparing it to a living thing that breathes and moves. He also uses allusions to classical mythology to describe the beauty of the painting. He compares the painting to the work of the Greek god of art, Apollo, and the Roman goddess of love, Venus. This comparison elevates the painting to a level of divine beauty.

In the second stanza, Lovelace shifts his focus to the subject of the painting, King Charles II and the Duke of York. He describes them as noble and virtuous men who are worthy of being immortalized in a painting. He uses metaphors to describe their virtues, comparing them to the sun and the moon, which are the sources of light and guidance. He also uses allusions to biblical figures such as David and Jonathan to describe the bond between the two brothers. This comparison elevates the relationship between the two brothers to a level of divine love.

In the third stanza, Lovelace concludes his poem by praising the artist once again. He describes the painting as a gift to the world, which will be admired by generations to come. He uses metaphors to describe the painting as a treasure that will be cherished forever. He also uses allusions to classical mythology to describe the immortality of the painting. He compares the painting to the work of the Greek god of fire, Hephaestus, who created immortal works of art.

Overall, Poetry To My Worthy Friend Mr. Peter Lilly: On That Excellent Picture Of His Majesty And The Duke Of York, Drawne By Him At Hampton- Court is a beautiful tribute to the art of painting and the skill of Peter Lilly. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of the painting and the virtues of the two royal brothers. Lovelace's use of metaphors, similes, and allusions elevates the painting to a level of divine beauty and immortality. The poem is a testament to the power of art to capture the essence of life and to immortalize it for future generations to admire.

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