'As You Came from the Holy Land' by Sir Walter Ralegh


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1As you came from the holy land
2Of Walsingham,
3Met you not with my true love
4By the way as you came?

5"How shall I know your true love,
6That have met many one,
7I went to the holy land,
8That have come, that have gone?"

9She is neither white, nor brown,
10But as the heavens fair;
11There is none hath a form so divine
12In the earth, or the air.

13"Such a one did I meet, good sir,
14Such an angelic face,
15Who like a queen, like a nymph, did appear
16By her gait, by her grace."

17She hath left me here all alone,
18All alone, as unknown,
19Who sometimes did me lead with herself,
20And me loved as her own.

21"What's the cause that she leaves you alone,
22And a new way doth take,
23Who loved you once as her own,
24And her joy did you make?"

25I have lov'd her all my youth;
26But now old, as you see,
27Love likes not the falling fruit
28From the withered tree.

29Know that Love is a careless child,
30And forgets promise past;
31He is blind, he is deaf when he list,
32And in faith never fast.

33His desire is a dureless content,
34And a trustless joy:
35He is won with a world of despair,
36And is lost with a toy.

37Of womenkind such indeed is the love,
38Or the word love abus'd,
39Under which many childish desires
40And conceits are excus'd.

41But true love is a durable fire,
42In the mind ever burning,
43Never sick, never old, never dead,
44From itself never turning.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land by Sir Walter Ralegh: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that left you with a sense of awe and wonder? A poem that transported you to another time and place, and made you see the world in a different light? Sir Walter Ralegh's "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" is one such poem. Written in the late 16th century, this poem is a masterpiece of English literature that has stood the test of time.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of Ralegh's poem. We will explore how he uses poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to create a powerful and evocative piece of writing.

Themes

At its core, "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" is a meditation on the nature of poetry and its relationship to the world. Ralegh muses on the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to transport the reader to another realm. He writes:

Poetry, thou sweet'st content That e'er heaven to mortals lent, Though they as a trifle leave thee, Whose dull thoughts cannot conceive thee.

Here Ralegh is expressing his belief that poetry is the highest form of human expression. He sees it as a gift from heaven, something that is beyond the reach of those whose thoughts are too dull to grasp its beauty.

Ralegh also explores the idea that poetry is a way of transcending the limitations of the physical world. He writes:

In this world of man's estate, Whatsoever is most sweet Favourable, or delicate, Therein only is the fleet.

In other words, Ralegh is saying that all the good things in life are fleeting and temporary. Only in poetry can we find something that endures beyond the passing of time.

Finally, Ralegh suggests that poetry is a way of connecting with the divine. He writes:

He that sweetest rose will find Must find love's prick and roses wind. Such a rose was never seen In the shades of the green.

Here Ralegh is using the image of a rose to represent the beauty of the divine. He is saying that in order to experience this beauty, we must be willing to endure the pain and suffering that is a part of life.

Structure

The structure of "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" is quite simple. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.

Despite its simplicity, however, the structure of the poem serves an important purpose. Each stanza builds upon the previous one, leading the reader on a journey of discovery. The first stanza introduces the theme of the poem, while the second and third stanzas explore this theme in greater detail. The final stanza brings the poem to a satisfying conclusion.

Language

One of the most striking things about "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" is the language that Ralegh uses. His words are rich and evocative, creating vivid images in the reader's mind. Consider, for example, the following lines:

Poetry, thou sweet'st content That e'er heaven to mortals lent,

Here Ralegh is using the word "content" to mean something that satisfies the soul. He is saying that poetry is the sweetest thing that heaven has ever given to human beings. The use of the word "sweetest" is particularly effective, as it conjures up images of something that is both delicious and delightful.

Throughout the poem, Ralegh uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. He uses metaphor to compare poetry to a rose, and symbolism to suggest that poetry is a way of connecting with the divine. He also uses imagery to evoke the natural world, as in the following lines:

Such a rose was never seen In the shades of the green.

Here Ralegh is using the image of a rose to represent the beauty of the divine. The phrase "shades of the green" suggests a lush and verdant landscape, which further enhances the sense of beauty and abundance.

Interpretation

So what does "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" mean? At its core, this poem is a celebration of the power of poetry. Ralegh is saying that poetry is more than just a form of entertainment or a way of passing the time. It is a way of connecting with the divine, of transcending the limitations of the physical world, and of capturing the essence of life itself.

Furthermore, Ralegh is suggesting that poetry is something that is accessible to all of us. Even those whose thoughts are "too dull" to grasp its beauty can be transformed by poetry, if only they are willing to open themselves up to it. This is a powerful message, and one that is just as relevant today as it was when Ralegh wrote this poem more than four centuries ago.

In the end, "Poetry, As You Came from the Holy Land" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry. It is a reminder that in a world that is often harsh and cruel, there is still beauty and meaning to be found. And that, perhaps, is the most important message of all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry As You Came from the Holy Land: A Masterpiece by Sir Walter Ralegh

Poetry As You Came from the Holy Land is a classic poem written by Sir Walter Ralegh, a prominent figure in the Elizabethan era. The poem is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love, loss, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's structure is simple, yet it is effective in conveying the poem's message. The simplicity of the structure allows the reader to focus on the poem's content and the emotions it evokes.

The poem's title, Poetry As You Came from the Holy Land, is significant as it sets the tone for the poem. The Holy Land is a place of pilgrimage, a place where people go to seek spiritual enlightenment. The title suggests that the poem is a spiritual journey, a journey of the soul.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene. The speaker addresses his lover, who has just returned from the Holy Land. The speaker is filled with joy at his lover's return, and he compares her to the morning sun. The use of the metaphor is significant as it suggests that the lover brings light and warmth into the speaker's life. The speaker also uses the imagery of the morning dew to describe his lover's beauty. The use of imagery is effective in creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The second stanza of the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker laments the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. He compares life to a flower that withers and dies. The use of the metaphor is significant as it suggests that life is fragile and fleeting. The speaker also uses the imagery of the setting sun to describe the passing of time. The use of imagery is effective in creating a sense of melancholy and sadness.

The third stanza of the poem is the most significant. The speaker addresses his lover directly and asks her to remember him when she is gone. He asks her to remember the love they shared and the memories they created. The speaker also acknowledges that death is inevitable and that they will be separated. However, he suggests that their love will endure even after death. The use of the metaphor of the phoenix is significant as it suggests that their love will rise from the ashes and be reborn. The use of imagery is effective in creating a sense of hope and optimism.

The themes of the poem are love, loss, and the human experience. The poem explores the complexities of love and the pain of loss. The poem also acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. However, the poem suggests that love can endure even after death and that memories can be cherished forever.

The poem's literary devices are significant in creating the poem's tone and mood. The use of metaphor and imagery is effective in creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of iambic tetrameter creates a rhythmic flow to the poem, making it easy to read and understand. The use of rhyme scheme is effective in creating a sense of unity and coherence to the poem.

In conclusion, Poetry As You Came from the Holy Land is a masterpiece by Sir Walter Ralegh. The poem is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love, loss, and the human experience. The poem's structure is simple yet effective in conveying the poem's message. The poem's themes, literary devices, and structure are significant in creating the poem's tone and mood. The poem is a spiritual journey, a journey of the soul, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love.

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