'Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73' by Richard Lovelace


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AD LESBIAM, CAT. EP. 73.

Dicebas quondam, solum to nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Jovem;
Dilexi tum te, non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
Sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
Nunc te cognovi, quare et impensius uror,
Multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
Qui potis est inquis, quod amantem injuria talis
Cogat amare magis, sed bene velle minus?
Odi et amo; quare id faciam, fortasse requiris;
Nescio; sed fieri sentio, et excrucior.

ENGLISHED.

That me alone you lov'd, you once did say,
Nor should I to the king of gods give way.
Then I lov'd thee not as a common dear,
But as a father doth his children chear.
Now thee I know, more bitterly I smart;
Yet thou to me more light and cheaper art.
What pow'r is this? that such a wrong should press
Me to love more, yet wish thee well much lesse.
I hate and love; would'st thou the reason know?
I know not; but I burn, and feel it so.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" by Richard Lovelace: A Poetic Elegy for Lost Love

Introduction

Are you familiar with the heart-wrenching feeling of losing someone you love deeply? Do you know how it feels to yearn for that lost love, to long for the sweet memories of the past? If you do, then you can relate to Richard Lovelace's famous poem, "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73." This poem is an ode to lost love, to the pain and longing that comes with it, and to the hope of rekindling that love someday.

Richard Lovelace was a seventeenth-century English poet, famous for his poems on love and politics. "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" is one of his most famous poems, written in the form of a letter to his beloved, who is referred to as "Lesbia" in the poem. The poem is a part of a sequence of poems called "Lucasta," which Lovelace wrote to his beloved.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" and analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning and mood of the poem.

Themes

The primary theme of "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" is the pain of lost love and the longing for its return. Lovelace expresses this theme through his use of vivid imagery, such as "The dew shall weep thy fall tonight" and "The lily I condemned for pride." These images convey a sense of sorrow and mourning for the lost love, as if nature itself is weeping for the poet's loss.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of eternal love. Lovelace suggests that despite the loss and pain, his love for Lesbia will endure forever. He writes, "Love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes / Nor hate be kick'd, unless the breath of foes." This suggests that no matter what happens, his love for Lesbia will not be diminished, and that it will endure through any adversity.

Finally, the poem explores the idea of hope. Despite the pain and loss, Lovelace holds onto the hope that he will be reunited with Lesbia someday. He writes, "When I am lost in thought, she then / Is all the world, and I again." This suggests that in his mind, Lesbia is still present, and that there is still hope for the reunion of their love.

Imagery

The imagery used in "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" is both vivid and poignant. Lovelace uses a variety of images to convey the sense of loss and longing that permeates the poem. For example, he writes, "The dew shall weep thy fall tonight," which conveys a sense of sadness and mourning for the loss of Lesbia's love.

Another example of vivid imagery in the poem is Lovelace's description of a lily, which he condemns for its pride. This image suggests that even nature itself can be guilty of pride, and that pride can lead to loss and downfall.

Finally, the images of light and darkness in the poem are particularly striking. Lovelace writes, "The sun may set and rise / But we contrarily / Sleep, after our short light / One endless night." This suggests that despite the passing of time and the changing of seasons, the poet's pain and longing remain constant, and that there is little hope for relief from this agony.

Language

The language used in "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" is both poetic and emotional. Lovelace writes in a lyrical style, using poetic devices such as rhyme and meter to create a musical effect. For example, he writes, "When I am lost in thought, she then / Is all the world, and I again." The use of rhyme in this line creates a sense of harmony and symmetry, which conveys a sense of calm and peace amidst the turmoil of the poet's emotions.

Another example of poetic language in the poem is Lovelace's use of metaphor. He writes, "I could not love thee, dear, so much, / Loved I not honour more." This metaphor suggests that the poet's love for Lesbia is bound by the value he places on honor and virtue, and that he cannot love her fully if she does not embody these qualities.

Finally, the language used in the poem is highly emotional and expressive. Lovelace conveys a sense of pain and longing through his use of words such as "woe," "ruin," and "despair." These words create a sense of intense emotion and convey the depth of the poet's feelings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73" is a poetic elegy for lost love, a tribute to the pain and longing that comes with it, and a hopeful expression of the possibility of rekindling that love someday. Lovelace's use of vivid imagery, poetic language, and emotional expression create a powerful and moving portrait of the poet's suffering and his enduring love for Lesbia. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and adversity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73: A Masterpiece of Love and Longing

Richard Lovelace, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his romantic and lyrical poetry that captures the essence of love and longing. One of his most famous works, Poetry Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73, is a masterpiece of love and longing that has stood the test of time. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem is addressed to a woman named Lesbia, who is the object of the speaker's affection. The speaker expresses his love and longing for Lesbia, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his emotions. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a different tone and theme.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing his desire for Lesbia. He compares her to the goddess Venus, the embodiment of beauty and love. He says that Lesbia's beauty is so great that it can make the gods themselves fall in love with her. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a flame to describe his passion for Lesbia, saying that his love for her burns like a fire that cannot be extinguished.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's longing for Lesbia. He describes how he feels when he is away from her, saying that his heart is like a bird that is trapped in a cage. He longs to be with Lesbia, to feel her touch and hear her voice. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a ship to describe his journey towards Lesbia, saying that he is sailing towards her on the sea of love.

The third and final stanza is the most emotional and heartfelt of the poem. The speaker expresses his fear that Lesbia may not love him in return, and that his love for her may be in vain. He says that if Lesbia does not love him, he would rather die than live without her. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a flower to describe his love for Lesbia, saying that it is fragile and delicate, and that it needs her love to survive.

The language of the poem is rich and poetic, with vivid imagery and metaphors that convey the speaker's emotions. The use of the metaphor of fire and flame to describe the speaker's passion for Lesbia is particularly effective, as it conveys the intensity and heat of his love. The metaphor of the bird in a cage is also powerful, as it conveys the speaker's sense of confinement and longing.

The poem also has a strong sense of rhythm and rhyme, with a consistent meter and rhyme scheme that adds to its musicality. The use of alliteration and assonance also adds to the poem's musicality, with words like "flame" and "fury" and "sail" and "sea" creating a sense of harmony and unity.

In terms of themes, the poem explores the themes of love, longing, and fear. The speaker's love for Lesbia is all-consuming, and he longs to be with her at all times. However, he also fears that his love may not be reciprocated, and that he may be left alone and heartbroken. The poem thus captures the complex and often contradictory emotions of love, and the fear and uncertainty that come with it.

In conclusion, Poetry Ad Lesbiam, Cat. Ep. 73 is a masterpiece of love and longing that has stood the test of time. Its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and musical language make it a joy to read and analyze. The poem captures the essence of love and the complex emotions that come with it, and its themes are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. Richard Lovelace's legacy as a poet of love and romance is secure, and this poem is a testament to his talent and skill.

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