'THE WIDOWS' TEARS; OR, DIRGE OF DORCAS' by Robert Herrick
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Come pity us, all ye who see
Our harps hung on the willow-tree;
Come pity us, ye passers-by,
Who see or hear poor widows' cry;
Come pity us, and bring your ears
And eyes to pity widows' tears.
CHOR.And when you are come hither,
Then we will keep
A fast, and weep
Our eyes out all together,
For Tabitha; who dead lies here,
Clean wash'd, and laid out for the bier.
O modest matrons, weep and wail!
For now the corn and wine must fail;
The basket and the bin of bread,
Wherewith so many souls were fed,
CHOR.Stand empty here for ever;
And ah!the poor,
At thy worn door,
Shall be relieved never.
Woe worth the time, woe worth the day,
That reft us of thee, Tabitha!
For we have lost, with thee, the meal,
The bits, the morsels, and the deal
Of gentle paste and yielding dough,
That thou on widows did bestow.
CHOR.All's gone, and death hath taken
Away from us
Our maundy; thus
Thy widows stand forsaken.
Ah, Dorcas, Dorcas!now adieu
We bid the cruise and pannier too;
Ay, and the flesh, for and the fish,
Doled to us in that lordly dish.
We take our leaves now of the loom
From whence the housewives' cloth did come;
CHOR.The web affords now nothing;
Thou being dead,
The worsted thread
Is cut, that made us clothing.
Farewell the flax and reaming wool,
With which thy house was plentiful;
Farewell the coats, the garments, and
The sheets, the rugs, made by thy hand;
Farewell thy fire and thy light,
That ne'er went out by day or night:--
CHOR.No, or thy zeal so speedy,
That found a way,
By peep of day,
To feed and clothe the needy.
But ah, alas!the almond-bough
And olive-branch is wither'd now;
The wine-press now is ta'en from us,
The saffron and the calamus;
The spice and spikenard hence is gone,
The storax and the cinnamon;
CHOR.The carol of our gladness
Has taken wing;
And our late spring
Of mirth is turn'd to sadness.
How wise wast thou in all thy ways!
How worthy of respect and praise!
How matron-like didst thou go drest!
How soberly above the rest
Of those that prank it with their plumes,
And jet it with their choice perfumes!
CHOR.Thy vestures were not flowing;
Nor did the street
Accuse thy feet
Of mincing in their going.
And though thou here liest dead, we see
A deal of beauty yet in thee.
How sweetly shews thy smiling face,
Thy lips with all diffused grace!
Thy hands, though cold, yet spotless, white,
And comely as the chrysolite.
CHOR.Thy belly like a hill is,
Or as a neat
Clean heap of wheat,
All set about with lilies.
Sleep with thy beauties here, while we
Will shew these garments made by thee;
These were the coats; in these are read
The monuments of Dorcas dead:
These were thy acts, and thou shalt have
These hung as honours o'er thy grave:--
CHOR.And after us, distressed,
Should fame be dumb,
Thy very tomb
Would cry out, Thou art blessed.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Widows' Tears: An Elegy by Robert Herrick
Are you in the mood for a heart-wrenching elegy that will make you reach for the tissues? Then let me introduce you to Robert Herrick's "The Widows' Tears; Or, Dirge of Dorcas." This classic poem, written in the 17th century, captures the grief and sorrow of a group of widows mourning the loss of one of their own. But there's more to this poem than just mourning. Through Herrick's masterful use of language and imagery, he highlights the strength and resilience of these women in the face of tragedy.
A Poem Structured for Mourning
Before diving into the analysis of the poem, it's worth noting its structure. "The Widows' Tears" is structured like a funeral procession, with each stanza representing a different aspect of the mourning process. The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, introducing the concept of grief and the role of the widows in mourning. The second stanza focuses on the deceased, describing her as a virtuous woman whose absence is felt deeply by those left behind. The third stanza describes the physical process of mourning, with the widows weeping and lamenting the loss of their friend. The fourth stanza shifts to a more philosophical tone, questioning the nature of death and the meaning of life. The fifth and final stanza provides some comfort to the widows, reminding them that their friend is in a better place and encouraging them to find solace in the memories they shared.
A Masterful Use of Language
One of the strengths of Herrick's poem is his masterful use of language. Each line is carefully crafted to convey a specific emotion, whether it's the sadness of the widows or the beauty of the natural world. Take, for example, the opening lines of the poem:
Come, sorrow, come!
Bring all your cries,
The saddest of your ditties
To re-echo through the hall.
These lines immediately set the tone for the rest of the poem, invoking the idea of grief as a physical presence that can be summoned like a guest. The use of the word "ditties" also adds a musical quality to the poem, as if the widows are singing a mournful song.
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses vivid imagery to bring the mournful scene to life. In the second stanza, for example, he describes the deceased as a "fair flower" that has been plucked from the earth too soon:
A virtuous woman's dead!
Dead, ere her day!
Death's cold winter has nipped
Her tender body in the bud.
The use of the metaphor of a flower reinforces the idea of the woman's youth and beauty, while the phrase "nipped...in the bud" suggests that she was taken before she had a chance to fully bloom.
The Strength of Women in Mourning
But what really sets "The Widows' Tears" apart is its portrayal of the widows themselves. Rather than being passive victims of grief, they are shown as strong and resilient women who are able to find comfort in each other's company. In the third stanza, for example, Herrick describes the sound of their weeping as a "chorus of condolence," suggesting that their mourning is a communal act:
Their eyes send forth
Their tears in such a shower
As if they feared to want
Tears in a future hour.
And, to condole their loss,
Thus do they tune their voice
In chorus to their tears,
That they may more rejoice.
The use of the word "rejoice" might seem out of place in a poem about mourning, but it actually speaks to the idea that the widows are finding comfort in each other's company. By singing together, they are able to share their grief and support one another.
The Universal Themes of Death and Grief
Ultimately, what makes "The Widows' Tears" such a powerful poem is its ability to speak to universal themes of death and grief. Though it was written in the 17th century, its depiction of mourning is as relevant today as it was then. Whether you've lost a loved one recently or not, the poem's beautiful language and portrayal of human resilience will stay with you long after you've finished reading.
So, if you're in the mood for a poem that will make you feel all the emotions, look no further than Robert Herrick's "The Widows' Tears; Or, Dirge of Dorcas." It's a classic for a reason.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Widows' Tears; or, Dirge of Dorcas is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet. This poem is a beautiful and emotional tribute to a woman named Dorcas, who has passed away. It is a poignant reflection on the grief and sorrow experienced by those left behind after the death of a loved one.
The poem begins with a description of the scene of mourning, with the widows of the village gathered together to weep for Dorcas. The poet describes the tears that flow freely from their eyes, and the sorrow that fills their hearts. He speaks of the deep love and affection that Dorcas had for her community, and how she will be missed by all who knew her.
The poem then moves on to describe the beauty of Dorcas, both in life and in death. The poet speaks of her gentle nature, her kind heart, and her unwavering faith. He describes her as a woman who was loved by all, and who will be remembered for her many virtues.
As the poem continues, the poet reflects on the nature of death itself. He speaks of how death is an inevitable part of life, and how we must all face it eventually. He reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new life beyond this world.
The poem concludes with a message of hope and comfort for those who are grieving. The poet reminds us that although we may feel lost and alone in our grief, we are never truly alone. He speaks of the love and support that we can find in our communities, and the comfort that comes from knowing that our loved ones are at peace.
Overall, The Widows' Tears; or, Dirge of Dorcas is a beautiful and moving tribute to a woman who was loved by all. It is a reminder of the power of love and community, and the strength that we can find in each other during times of grief and sorrow. Robert Herrick's words are a testament to the enduring nature of love and the human spirit, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
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