'The Garden' by Andrew Marvell


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How vainly men themselves amaze
To win the Palm, the Oke, or Bayes;
And their uncessant Labours see
Crown'd from some single Herb or Tree,
Whose short and narrow verged Shade
Does prudently their Toyles upbraid;
While all Flow'rs and all Trees do close
To weave the Garlands of repose.

Fair quiet, have I found thee here,
And Innocence thy Sister dear!
Mistaken long, I sought you then
In busie Companies of Men.
Your sacred Plants, if here below,
Only among the Plants will grow.
Society is all but rude,
To this delicious Solitude.

No white nor red was ever seen
So am'rous as this lovely green.
Fond Lovers, cruel as their Flame,
Cut in these Trees their Mistress name.
Little, Alas, they know, or heed,
How far these Beauties Hers exceed!
Fair Trees! where s'eer you barkes I wound,
No Name shall but your own be found.

When we have run our Passions heat,
Love hither makes his best retreat.
The Gods, that mortal Beauty chase,
The Gods, that mortal Beauty chase,
Apollo hunted Daphne so,
Only that She might Laurel grow.
And Pan did after Syrinx speed,
Not as a Nymph, but for a Reed.

What wond'rous Life in this I lead!
Ripe Apples drop about my head;
The Luscious Clusters of the Vine
Upon my Mouth do crush their Wine;
The Nectaren, and curious Peach,
Into my hands themselves do reach;
Stumbling on Melons, as I pass,
Insnar'd with Flow'rs, I fall on Grass.

Mean while the Mind, from pleasure less,
Withdraws into its happiness:
The Mind, that Ocean where each kind
Does streight its own resemblance find;
Yet it creates, transcending these,
Far other Worlds, and other Seas;
Annihilating all that's made
To a green Thought in a green Shade.

Here at the Fountains sliding foot,
Or at some Fruit-tress mossy root,
Casting the Bodies Vest aside,
My Soul into the boughs does glide:
There like a Bird it sits, and sings,
Then whets, and combs its silver Wings;
And, till prepar'd for longer flight,
Waves in its Plumes the various Light.

Such was that happy Garden-state,
While Man there walk'd without a Mate:
After a Place so pure, and sweet,
What other Help could yet be meet!
But 'twas beyond a Mortal's share
To wander solitary there:
Two Paradises 'twere in one
To live in Paradise alone.

How well the skilful Gardner drew
Of flow'rs and herbes this Dial new;
Where from above the milder Sun
Does through a fragrant Zodiack run;
And, as it works, th' industrious Bee
Computes its time as well as we.
How could such sweet and wholsome Hours
Be reckon'd but with herbs and flow'rs!


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Garden by Andrew Marvell: An Exploration of Life and Death

As I read Andrew Marvell’s poem “The Garden,” I am struck by the imagery he uses to describe life and death, and the way he weaves the two together. This poem is not just a simple ode to a garden, but a rich and complex exploration of the human experience. Join me on this journey as we delve deeper into Marvell’s poetic masterpiece.

A Garden of Life

At first glance, “The Garden” appears to be a celebration of life and beauty. Marvell’s descriptions of the garden are lush and vivid, with a profusion of colors and fragrances that delight the senses. He describes the flowers in detail, from the “sweet jonquils” to the “gilliflowers” and “marigolds.” The “myrtle and the ivy” create a sense of verdant growth and lushness, while the “cooling shade” of the trees offers a respite from the heat of the day.

Marvell also uses imagery to suggest fertility and abundance. He describes the “fruitful trees” that “spontaneously bear” and the “pleasant fruits” that “of their own accord” ripen. Even the “flowery meads” are “adorned with daisies” and “fair-ringed pansies,” suggesting a sense of natural fertility and abundance.

The Garden of Eden?

As I read this poem, I can’t help but be reminded of the Garden of Eden. Marvell’s garden seems to be a place of innocence and beauty, where life flourishes and everything is in harmony. The reference to Adam and Eve further reinforces this connection, as does Marvell’s use of the word “Paradise.”

But there is a darker side to this garden as well. It is not just a place of life and beauty, but also a place where death and decay are never far away.

The Shadow of Death

As the poem progresses, Marvell begins to introduce imagery that suggests a more sinister side to the garden. The “cold Pastoral” that “dwells in every grove” suggests that death is never far away, and that decay is an inevitable part of life. The “worm” that “feeds on the mulberry” and the “canker” that “gnaws the infants of the spring” remind us that life is fragile and fleeting, and that death is always lurking in the shadows.

This is most apparent in the second stanza, where Marvell describes the “silent shade” that “insensibly” creeps over the garden. This shade is not just a physical darkness, but a metaphorical one as well. It represents the creeping inevitability of death, as it slowly spreads over everything and blots out the light of life.

The Cycle of Life and Death

Despite the darkness that lurks in the garden, Marvell suggests that there is a kind of beauty in this cycle of life and death. The “rude wind” that “sweeps along” and “levels all” reminds us that nothing lasts forever, and that all things must eventually pass away. But this passing away is not a tragedy, but a necessary part of the cycle of life. The “new bud” that “puts forth” and the “newly springing flower” remind us that life goes on, and that even as one thing dies, another thing is born.

There is a sense of acceptance in Marvell’s poem, as if he is reminding us that death is not something to be feared, but something that we must all eventually face. This is most apparent in the final stanza, where Marvell suggests that we should be content to “sit quietly” and “contemplate” the cycle of life and death. He reminds us that despite the fleeting nature of life, there is a kind of beauty in the journey.

The Power of Poetry

One of the things that I love about this poem is the way that Marvell uses poetry to create a sense of wonder and awe. His descriptions of the garden are so vivid and beautiful that I can almost smell the “odours thrown from the fresh-blown flowers.” His use of alliteration and rhyme create a musical quality to the poem, and his use of personification and metaphor give the garden a sense of life and personality.

But poetry is not just a way to create beauty; it is also a way to explore deeper truths about the human experience. Marvell’s poem is a meditation on life and death, but it is also a celebration of the power of poetry to help us understand and appreciate these deeper truths.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, “The Garden” by Andrew Marvell is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the cycle of life and death. Marvell uses vivid imagery and poetic language to create a sense of wonder and awe, while also reminding us that death is an inevitable part of life. But there is a kind of beauty in this cycle, and Marvell suggests that we should be content to sit quietly and contemplate it. This is a powerful message, and one that is as relevant today as it was when Marvell wrote this poem over 300 years ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Garden by Andrew Marvell is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a garden that is filled with various fruits and flowers. The garden is a symbol of life and the beauty that can be found in it. The speaker describes the garden as a place of peace and tranquility, where one can escape the chaos of the world and find solace in nature.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes the garden as a place of beauty and perfection. He describes the flowers as being “sweet” and “fair,” and the fruits as being “ripened with gold.” The use of these adjectives creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind of a garden that is bursting with life and color.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to explore the theme of time. He describes how time can destroy the beauty of the garden and how everything in life is temporary. The speaker says, “But flowers distilled though they with winter meet, / Leese but their show, their substance still lives sweet.” This line means that even though the flowers may die in the winter, their essence and beauty will still remain.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the theme of mortality. He describes how everything in life is fleeting and how death is inevitable. The speaker says, “What wondrous life is this I lead! / Ripe apples drop about my head; / The luscious clusters of the vine / Upon my mouth do crush their wine.” This line means that even though life is short, it is still full of wonder and beauty.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker continues to explore the theme of mortality. He describes how death is a natural part of life and how it should not be feared. The speaker says, “The world is but a school of war; / And what remaines untry’d / Men should contemne, or men adore.” This line means that life is a journey, and death is just another part of that journey. It should not be feared, but rather embraced as a natural part of life.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker ties everything together. He describes how the garden is a symbol of life and how it represents the beauty and wonder that can be found in the world. The speaker says, “Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run.” This line means that even though we cannot stop time, we can still make the most of the time that we have.

The Garden is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of life, time, and mortality. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time that we have. The use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind of a garden that is bursting with life and color. The poem is a testament to the beauty of nature and the wonder that can be found in the world.

In conclusion, The Garden by Andrew Marvell is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of life. The themes of life, time, and mortality are explored in a way that is both profound and thought-provoking. The use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind of a garden that is bursting with life and color. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time that we have.

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