'A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING' by Robert Herrick
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MONTANO, SILVIO, AND MIRTILLO, SHEPHERDS
MON.Bad are the times.SIL.And worse than they are we.
MON.Troth, bad are both; worse fruit, and ill the tree:
The feast of shepherds fail.SIL.None crowns the cup
Of wassail now, or sets the quintel up:
And he, who used to lead the country-round,
Youthful Mirtillo, here he comes, grief-drown'd.
AMBO.Let's cheer him up.SIL. Behold him weeping-ripe.
MIRT. Ah, Amarillis!farewell mirth and pipe;
Since thou art gone, no more I mean to play
To these smooth lawns, my mirthful roundelay.
Dear Amarillis!MON.Hark!SIL.Mark!MIRT.This
earth grew sweet
Where, Amarillis, thou didst set thy feet.
AMBOPoor pitied youth!MIRT.And here the breath
of kine
And sheep grew more sweet by that breath of thine.
This dock of wool, and this rich lock of hair,
This ball of cowslips, these she gave me here.
SIL.Words sweet as love itself.MON.Hark!--
MIRT.This way she came, and this way too she went;
How each thing smells divinely redolent!
Like to a field of beans, when newly blown,
Or like a meadow being lately mown.
MON.A sweet sad passion----
MIRT.In dewy mornings, when she came this way,
Sweet bents would bow, to give my Love the day;
And when at night she folded had her sheep,
Daisies would shut, and closing, sigh and weep.
Besides (Ai me!) since she went hence to dwell,
The Voice's Daughter ne'er spake syllable.
But she is gone.SIL.Mirtillo, tell us whither?
MIRT.Where she and I shall never meet together.
MON.Fore-fend it, Pan!and Pales, do thou please
To give an end...MIRT.To what?SIL.Such griefs
as these.
MIRT.Never, O never!Still I may endure
The wound I suffer, never find a cure.
MON.Love, for thy sake, will bring her to these hills
And dales again.MIRT.No, I will languish still;
And all the while my part shall be to weep;
And with my sighs call home my bleating sheep;
And in the rind of every comely tree
I'll carve thy name, and in that name kiss thee.
MON.Set with the sun, thy woes!SIL.The day
grows old;
And time it is our full-fed flocks to fold.
CHOR.The shades grow great; but greater grows
our sorrow:--
But let's go steep
Our eyes in sleep;
And meet to weep
To-morrow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING: A CRITIQUE
Robert Herrick, one of the leading poets of the seventeenth century, wrote "A Pastoral Sung to the King" as a tribute to King Charles I. This pastoral poem is a model of Herrick's poetic style, which is marked by its simplicity, naturalness, and delicacy.
Background
"A Pastoral Sung to the King" was published in Hesperides, a collection of Herrick's poems, in 1648. The poem is written in the pastoral mode, which is a literary tradition that idealizes rural life and expresses an admiration for the simplicity and purity of rural existence. The pastoral mode was a popular literary form in the seventeenth century, and many poets, including Herrick, used it to convey their feelings about the social and political issues of the day.
Analysis
The poem begins with an invocation to the Muses, the goddesses of poetry and inspiration, to assist the poet in his task of praising the king. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of reverence and admiration for the king:
Come, bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing;
While my good Dame, she
Bids ye all be free;
And drink to your heart's desiring.
The opening stanza immediately establishes the pastoral setting of the poem, with the mention of the Christmas log and the reference to the poet's "good Dame." The use of the word "merry" also emphasizes the festive spirit of the occasion.
The second stanza begins with a description of the countryside, which is depicted as a place of peace and tranquility:
With the last year's brand
Light the new block, and
For good success in his spending,
On your psaltries play,
That sweet luck may
Come while the log is a-teending.
The use of the phrase "last year's brand" suggests a continuity with the past, and the reference to "good success" emphasizes the importance of prosperity and good fortune in rural life. The mention of the psaltries, a type of stringed instrument, adds to the pastoral atmosphere and suggests a sense of harmony and peace.
The third stanza is the most important in the poem, as it contains the central message that Herrick wishes to convey:
Drink now the strong beer,
Cut the white loaf here,
The while the meat is a-shredding;
For the rare mince-pie
And the plums stand by
To fill the paste that's a-kneading.
The reference to drinking "strong beer" and eating "mince-pie" and "plums" suggests a sense of abundance and plenty, and the mention of the "white loaf" adds to the sense of rustic simplicity. However, the emphasis on food and drink is not simply a celebration of rural hospitality; it is also a metaphor for the harmonious relationship between the king and his subjects. The act of sharing food and drink symbolizes the mutual dependence and trust that must exist between the ruler and the ruled.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a statement of loyalty and devotion to the king:
Be merry then all,
Both more and less,
For a welcome to the King;
And feast ye all like
Lords and ladies bright,
And taste a health to me.
The use of the word "welcome" emphasizes the sense of hospitality that is central to the pastoral mode, while the reference to "lords and ladies bright" suggests a sense of nobility and grandeur. The final line, "And taste a health to me," is a typical Herrickian touch, emphasizing the poet's identity as a participant in the scene he has described.
Interpretation
"A Pastoral Sung to the King" is a poem that celebrates the ideal of harmonious social relations between ruler and ruled. The pastoral setting and the emphasis on rural hospitality and abundance suggest a sense of natural harmony and simplicity that is contrasted with the political turmoil and social conflict of Herrick's time. The message of the poem is that the king and his subjects should share in a common bond of trust and mutual dependence, and that this bond should be celebrated through acts of hospitality and generosity.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the political and social issues of seventeenth-century England. The reference to the king as a "shepherd" suggests a sense of pastoral leadership, while the emphasis on the importance of harmony and mutual dependence between ruler and ruled echoes the themes of obedience and loyalty that were central to the ideology of the Stuart monarchy. However, the poem can also be read as a subtle critique of the Stuart regime, as the emphasis on the importance of a harmonious relationship between ruler and ruled suggests a sense of mutual obligation and responsibility that the Stuart monarchs sometimes failed to uphold.
Conclusion
"A Pastoral Sung to the King" is a poem that exemplifies Robert Herrick's poetic style and his engagement with the literary and political issues of his time. The poem's celebration of rural hospitality and abundance, and its emphasis on the importance of mutual dependence and trust between ruler and ruled, make it a powerful statement of the ideal of social harmony and stability. At the same time, the poem's subtle critiques of the Stuart regime suggest a sense of political and social awareness that elevates it above mere pastoral sentimentality. Overall, "A Pastoral Sung to the King" is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and his engagement with the literary and political issues of his time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A PASTORAL SUNG TO THE KING: A MASTERPIECE OF ROBERT HERRICK
Robert Herrick, one of the most celebrated poets of the seventeenth century, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and musicality. Among his many poems, A Pastoral Sung to the King stands out as a masterpiece of pastoral poetry. This poem is a tribute to King Charles I, who was a patron of the arts and a lover of poetry. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.
The poem is written in the form of a pastoral, a genre of poetry that celebrates the beauty of nature and the simple life of shepherds and rural folk. The pastoral tradition dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, and it was revived in the Renaissance as a reaction to the urbanization and industrialization of Europe. Pastoral poetry idealizes rural life as a peaceful and harmonious existence, free from the corruption and turmoil of the city. It is a genre that celebrates the innocence and simplicity of the natural world, and it often employs a language that is rich in imagery and metaphor.
A Pastoral Sung to the King is a perfect example of pastoral poetry. The poem is set in the countryside, where the speaker, a shepherd, sings a song of praise to the king. The poem begins with an invocation to the muses, the goddesses of inspiration, asking them to help him sing a song that will please the king:
"Come, come, I pray, With your silver feet this way; Ye, who with your nightly care, Tend our flocks, or shear our hair."
The speaker then proceeds to describe the beauty of the countryside, with its green fields, clear streams, and blooming flowers. He praises the king for his love of nature and his patronage of the arts:
"Here's a sight as bright and new, As the fresh-bloom'd hills, or dew; And for thee, O king of men, Here the garland we begin."
The speaker then invites the king to come and see the beauty of the countryside for himself:
"Come, then, come, but let thy feet Be not overcharg'd with weight, Nor thy presence make the stream Swifter than it else would seem."
The poem ends with a prayer for the king's health and happiness:
"May each shepherdess come hither, When thy turban's at the wither, And I'll charm thee, every day, With some new and artful lay."
The poem is full of vivid and beautiful imagery, which creates a sense of the pastoral idyll. The green fields, clear streams, and blooming flowers are all symbols of the natural world, which is celebrated in pastoral poetry. The shepherd, who is the speaker of the poem, is a symbol of the simple and innocent life of the countryside. He is a humble and contented man, who finds joy in the beauty of nature and the company of his fellow shepherds.
The king, on the other hand, is a symbol of power and authority. He is the patron of the arts, and his presence is felt throughout the poem. The shepherd sings his praises and invites him to come and see the beauty of the countryside for himself. The king is portrayed as a lover of nature, who appreciates the simple life of the countryside. He is a benevolent ruler, who cares for his people and supports the arts.
The poem is also rich in literary devices, which add to its beauty and musicality. The use of alliteration, for example, creates a sense of rhythm and harmony. The repetition of the "c" sound in the line "Come, come, I pray" and the repetition of the "s" sound in the line "With your silver feet this way" create a musical effect that is pleasing to the ear. The use of rhyme also adds to the musicality of the poem. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance.
The poem is also full of metaphor and symbolism. The green fields, clear streams, and blooming flowers are all symbols of the natural world, which is celebrated in pastoral poetry. The shepherd, who is the speaker of the poem, is a symbol of the simple and innocent life of the countryside. He represents the ideal of pastoral poetry, which is to celebrate the beauty and simplicity of nature. The king, on the other hand, is a symbol of power and authority. He represents the ideal of benevolent rulership, which is to care for one's people and support the arts.
In conclusion, A Pastoral Sung to the King is a masterpiece of pastoral poetry. It celebrates the beauty of nature and the simple life of the countryside, and it praises the king for his love of nature and his patronage of the arts. The poem is full of vivid and beautiful imagery, which creates a sense of the pastoral idyll. It is also rich in literary devices, which add to its beauty and musicality. The poem is a tribute to the king, but it is also a celebration of the natural world and the simple life of the countryside. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul, and it reminds us of the beauty and simplicity of life.
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