'Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London' by Katherine Philips


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1664Adieu dear object of my Love's excess,
And with thee all my hopes of happiness,
With the same fervent and unchanged heart
Which did it's whole self once to thee impart,
(And which though fortune has so sorely bruis'd,
Would suffer more, to be from this excus'd)
I to resign thy dear Converse submit,
Since I can neither keep, nor merit it.
Thou hast too long to me confined been,
Who ruine am without, passion within.
My mind is sunk below thy tenderness,
And my condition does deserve it less;
I'm so entangl'd and so lost a thing
By all the shocks my daily sorrow bring,
That would'st thou for thy old Orinda call
Thou hardly could'st unravel her at all.
And should I thy clear fortunes interline
With the incessant miseries of mine?
No, no, I never lov'd at such a rate
To tye thee to the rigours of my fate,As from my obligations thou art free,
Sure thou shalt be so from my Injury,
Though every other worthiness I miss,
Yet I'le at least be generous in this.
I'd rather perish without sigh or groan,Then thou shoul'dst be condemn'd to give me one;
Nay in my soul I rather could allow
Friendship should be a sufferer, then thou;
Go then, since my sad heart has set thee free,
Let all the loads and chains remain on me.Though I be left the prey of sea and wind,
Thou being happy wilt in that be kind;
Nor shall I my undoing much deplore,
Since thou art safe, whom I must value more.
Oh! mayst thou ever be so, and as freeFrom all ills else, as from my company,
And may the torments thou hast had from it
Be all that heaven will to thy life permit.
And that they may thy vertue service do,
Mayest thou be able to forgive them too:
But though I must this sharp submission learn,
I cannot yet unwish thy dear concern.
Not one new comfort I expect to see,
I quit my Joy, hope, life, and all but thee;
Nor seek I thence ought that may discompose
That mind where so serene a goodness grows.
I ask no inconvenient kindness now,
To move thy passion, or to cloud thy brow;
And thou wilt satisfie my boldest plea
By some few soft remembrances of me, [50]
Which may present thee with this candid thought,
I meant not all the troubles that I brought.
Own not what Passion rules, and Fate does crush,
But wish thou couldst have don't without a blush,
And that I had been, ere it was too late,
Either more worthy, or more fortunate.
Ah who can love the thing they cannot prize?
But thou mayst pity though thou dost despise.
Yet I should think that pity bought too dear,
If it should cost those precious Eyes a tear.Oh may no minutes trouble, thee possess,
But to endear the next hours happiness;
And maist thou when thou art from me remov'd,
Be better pleas'd, but never worse belov'd:
Oh pardon me for pow'ring out my woes
In Rhime now, that I dare not do't in Prose.
For I must lose whatever is call'd dear,
And thy assistance all that loss to bear,
And have more cause than ere I had before,
To fear that I shall never see thee more.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Orinda To Lucasia: A Parting Poem

As I read Katherine Philips' "Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London," I am struck by the depth of emotion conveyed in this poem. The speaker, Orinda, is bidding farewell to her dear friend and confidante, Lucasia, as they part ways in London. The poem is filled with imagery and metaphor, and it speaks to the themes of friendship, love, and loss. In this literary analysis, I will explore these themes and examine the ways in which Philips employs language to convey the complex emotions of the speaker.

Setting the Scene

The poem begins with Orinda setting the scene for the reader. She describes the "mournful month" of October and the "melancholy time" of their parting. This sets a somber tone for the poem, and the reader immediately senses that this is not going to be a happy poem. Orinda goes on to describe the "thronged streets" of London, which are juxtaposed with the "solitary ways" that she and Lucasia must now take. This contrast highlights the loneliness and isolation that the two friends will now experience as they go their separate ways.

The Metaphor of the Journey

Throughout the poem, Philips employs the metaphor of a journey to describe the friendship between Orinda and Lucasia. She describes their bond as a "long and tedious journey" that has been filled with both "pleasant" and "unpleasant" experiences. This metaphor is powerful because it conveys the idea that friendship is not always easy, but that it is worth the effort. Orinda acknowledges that their journey has not been without its difficulties, but she also expresses her gratitude for the time they have spent together.

The Theme of Loss

As the poem progresses, the reader becomes aware of the theme of loss that runs through it. Orinda speaks of the "grief" and "sadness" she feels at the thought of parting from Lucasia. She describes their parting as a "shock" and a "separation," and she laments the fact that they will not be able to share their joys and sorrows with each other as they have in the past. This theme of loss is a universal one, and it is one that readers can relate to on a personal level.

The Power of Language

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the power of Philips' language. She employs rich imagery and metaphor to convey the emotions of the speaker. For example, she describes the "tears" that Orinda sheds as "crystal drops," which conveys both the beauty and the fragility of the tears. She also describes the parting as a "death," which is a powerful metaphor for the end of a friendship. The use of language in this poem is masterful, and it adds depth and complexity to the emotions that are being expressed.

The Theme of Friendship

At its core, "Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London" is a poem about friendship. Orinda and Lucasia have a deep and meaningful bond, and their parting is a painful one. Philips conveys the importance of friendship through the use of metaphor and imagery, but she also expresses it through the words of the speaker. Orinda speaks of the "love" she has for Lucasia, and she expresses her gratitude for their time together. This theme of friendship is one that is universal, and it is one that readers can easily relate to.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Katherine Philips' "Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London" is a powerful and emotional poem that speaks to the themes of friendship, love, and loss. The use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and it adds depth and complexity to the emotions that are being expressed. The poem is a testament to the power of language, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of friendship in our lives. As I read this poem, I am struck by the beauty and the sadness of it, and I am reminded of the friends that I have lost along the way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Katherine Philips, also known as "The Matchless Orinda," was a prominent poet in the 17th century. Her works were known for their emotional depth and sincerity, and her poem "To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London" is no exception. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

The poem is addressed to Lucasia, who is likely a pseudonym for Philips' close friend and fellow poet Anne Owen. The poem was written in October 1661, when Philips and Owen were parting ways in London. The poem is a farewell message, expressing Philips' sadness at the impending separation and her hope for their continued friendship.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, with the final line of each stanza rhyming with the final line of the previous stanza. This creates a sense of continuity and connection between the stanzas, emphasizing the theme of friendship and the bond between the two women.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Philips expressing her sadness at the impending separation. She uses vivid imagery to convey her emotions, describing the "dull clouds" and "weeping skies" that mirror her own tears. The use of pathetic fallacy, where the weather reflects the emotions of the speaker, creates a sense of melancholy and sets the scene for the rest of the poem.

In the second stanza, Philips expresses her hope for their continued friendship despite the distance between them. She uses the metaphor of a "silver chain" to represent their bond, which she hopes will remain unbroken despite the physical distance. The use of metaphor is a common device in Philips' poetry, and it adds depth and complexity to her writing.

The third stanza is perhaps the most emotional of the poem, with Philips expressing her fear that their friendship will fade over time. She uses the metaphor of a "fading flower" to represent their bond, which she fears will wither and die without their constant attention. This fear is a common theme in Philips' poetry, as she often writes about the fragility of human relationships and the need for constant care and attention.

The final stanza is a message of hope and encouragement, with Philips urging Lucasia to continue writing and expressing herself through poetry. She uses the metaphor of a "spark" to represent the creative energy that drives them both, and encourages Lucasia to keep that spark alive even in the face of adversity. This final stanza is a fitting conclusion to the poem, emphasizing the importance of creativity and self-expression in maintaining a strong friendship.

Throughout the poem, Philips uses a variety of poetic devices to convey her emotions and ideas. The use of metaphor and pathetic fallacy has already been mentioned, but she also uses alliteration, repetition, and enjambment to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, she uses alliteration to emphasize the sadness of the scene: "dull clouds do duller drops distil." In the second stanza, she uses repetition to emphasize the importance of their friendship: "That chain of friendship, let it be / A hundred times as strong as steel." And in the final stanza, she uses enjambment to create a sense of urgency and momentum: "And let the flame still brighter grow / And make a sunrise in our woe."

In conclusion, "To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London" is a beautiful and emotional poem that captures the essence of friendship and the pain of separation. Katherine Philips' use of metaphor, imagery, and poetic devices creates a sense of depth and complexity that is characteristic of her work. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, creativity and self-expression can help us maintain our connections with those we love.

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