'THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER' by Robert Herrick
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As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay,
It chanced a bee did fly that way,
After a dew, or dew-like shower,
To tipple freely in a flower;
For some rich flower, he took the lip
Of Julia, and began to sip;
But when he felt he suck'd from thence
Honey, and in the quintessence,
He drank so much he scarce could stir;
So Julia took the pilferer.
And thus surprised, as filchers use,
He thus began himself t'excuse:
'Sweet lady-flower, I never brought
Hither the least one thieving thought;
But taking those rare lips of yours
For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers,
I thought I might there take a taste,
Where so much sirup ran at waste.
Besides, know this, I never sting
The flower that gives me nourishing;
But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay
For honey that I bear away.'
--This siid, he laid his little scrip
Of honey 'fore her ladyship,
And told her, as some tears did fall,
That, that he took, and that was all.
At which she smiled, and bade him go
And take his bag; but thus much know,
When next he came a-pilfering so,
He should from her full lips derive
Honey enough to fill his hive.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Captive Bee: An Exploration of Nature and Love
Have you ever stood transfixed, watching a bee flit from flower to flower, gathering nectar and pollen with its tiny legs? Robert Herrick's poem "The Captive Bee; or, The Little Filcher" captures the beauty and complexity of nature through the lens of a small, captured bee. Published in 1648 as part of his collection "Hesperides," this poem is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and his deep love of the natural world.
The Plot
The poem begins with the speaker describing a bee that has been captured by a young boy. The bee has been taken from its natural habitat and placed in a glass jar, where it can no longer fly or collect nectar. Despite this tragedy, the bee continues to thrive, feeding on the sugar water that the boy provides.
The speaker then begins to reflect on the bee's plight, admiring its resilience and tenacity. He notes that even in captivity, the bee continues to thrive and "steal from flowers / Their odor, color, and their taste." The speaker is struck by the bee's ability to find joy and beauty in a situation that would seem to be wholly depressing.
The poem concludes with the speaker making a plea to the boy to release the bee back into the wild, where it can live out its days in freedom. He reminds the boy that the bee is a symbol of the natural world, and that its captivity is a cruel act that goes against the natural order of things.
The Themes
At its core, "The Captive Bee" is a poem about the beauty and complexity of nature. The bee is a symbol of the natural world, and its captivity is a metaphor for the ways in which humans can distort and damage the environment. The speaker's admiration for the bee's resilience and tenacity is a testament to the beauty and strength of nature, even in the face of adversity.
But the poem is also about love. The speaker's plea to the boy to release the bee is a reminder that love and compassion are important values in the natural world. The bee, despite being captive, continues to thrive because of the love and care of the boy. The speaker's plea to release the bee is an act of love, a recognition that the bee deserves to live its life in freedom.
The Language
One of the most striking aspects of "The Captive Bee" is its language. Herrick's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, painting a vivid picture of the bee's captivity and the beauty of the natural world. For example, the line "And with a velvet foot doth brush / The dust off every moth" is a beautiful metaphor for the bee's delicate movements and the care it takes in its surroundings.
Herrick's use of language is also deeply sensual, capturing the smells, tastes, and colors of the natural world. The line "Steal from flowers / Their odor, color, and their taste" is an example of this, evoking the sweetness and beauty of the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Captive Bee" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of nature and love. Herrick's skillful use of language and metaphor creates a vivid and moving portrait of the bee's captivity and the beauty of the natural world. This poem is a testament to Herrick's talent as a poet and his deep love of the natural world, and it continues to resonate with readers today. So next time you see a bee buzzing around, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and remember the lessons of "The Captive Bee."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Captive Bee; or, The Little Filcher is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick, an English poet who lived from 1591 to 1674. This poem is a beautiful and intricate piece of literature that tells the story of a bee that has been captured by a young boy. The poem is a perfect example of Herrick's ability to use language to create vivid images and emotions in the reader's mind.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a young boy who has captured a bee. The boy is described as being "young and small," and the bee is described as being "a little filcher." The use of these words immediately sets the tone for the poem, which is one of innocence and playfulness. The speaker goes on to describe the bee as being "full of sweet delight," which further emphasizes the innocence of the situation.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the bee's captivity in more detail. The bee is described as being "imprisoned in a glass," which creates a sense of confinement and isolation. The speaker also describes the bee as being "a little prisoner," which further emphasizes the bee's captivity. However, despite the bee's captivity, the speaker notes that the bee is still able to "sing and buzz" and "sip the dew." This creates a sense of resilience and strength in the bee, despite its captivity.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to describe the boy's actions towards the bee. The boy is described as being "cruel" and "unkind," which creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem. The speaker notes that the boy "plucked his wings" and "made him sing." These actions are cruel and unnecessary, and they create a sense of sympathy for the bee in the reader.
Despite the boy's cruelty, the bee is still able to find joy in its captivity. The speaker notes that the bee "still did sing" and "still did sip the dew." This creates a sense of hope and resilience in the bee, despite its difficult situation. The speaker also notes that the bee is able to find joy in its captivity because it is able to "see the flowers." This creates a sense of beauty and wonder in the poem, as the bee is able to find joy in the simple things in life.
The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker describes the bee's eventual release. The boy is described as being "kind" and "gentle," which creates a sense of redemption and forgiveness in the poem. The speaker notes that the boy "set him free," which creates a sense of liberation and freedom in the poem. The bee is able to fly away, and the speaker notes that it is "gone unto its native rose." This creates a sense of homecoming and belonging in the poem, as the bee is able to return to its natural habitat.
Overall, The Captive Bee; or, The Little Filcher is a beautiful and intricate poem that tells the story of a bee's captivity and eventual release. The poem is a perfect example of Herrick's ability to use language to create vivid images and emotions in the reader's mind. The poem is full of themes of innocence, resilience, cruelty, redemption, and freedom, which create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. The poem is a true masterpiece of literature, and it is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet.
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