'To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses' by Robert Herrick


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Now is the time for mirth,
Nor cheek or tongue be dumb;
For with the flow'ry earth
The golden pomp is come.

The golden pomp is come;
For now each tree does wear,
Made of her pap and gum,
Rich beads of amber here.

Now reigns the rose, and now
Th' Arabian dew besmears
My uncontrolled brow
And my retorted hairs.

Homer, this health to thee,
In sack of such a kind
That it would make thee see
Though thou wert ne'er so blind.

Next, Virgil I'll call forth
To pledge this second health
In wine, whose each cup's worth
An Indian commonwealth.

A goblet next I'll drink
To Ovid, and suppose,
Made he the pledge, he'd think
The world had all one nose.

Then this immensive cup
Of aromatic wine,
Catullus, I quaff up
To that terse muse of thine.

Wild I am now with heat;
O Bacchus! cool thy rays!
Or frantic, I shall eat
Thy thyrse, and bite the bays.

Round, round the roof does run;
And being ravish'd thus,
Come, I will drink a tun
To my Propertius.

Now, to Tibullus, next,
This flood I drink to thee;
But stay, I see a text
That this presents to me.

Behold, Tibullus lies
Here burnt, whose small return
Of ashes scarce suffice
To fill a little urn.

Trust to good verses then;
They only will aspire,
When pyramids, as men,
Are lost i' th' funeral fire.

And when all bodies meet,
In Lethe to be drown'd,
Then only numbers sweet
With endless life are crown'd.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Robert Herrick's poem "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" is a delightful ode to the joys of life and the power of poetry. Written in a light and lyrical style, the poem celebrates the simple pleasures of existence and the uplifting influence of verse. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of the poem, as well as its historical and cultural context.

Historical and Cultural Context

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) was a poet and Anglican cleric who lived during the Renaissance and Restoration periods in England. His poetry was influenced by the classical tradition of Latin and Greek literature, as well as by the English metaphysical poets of his time. "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" was published in Herrick's collection of poems called "Hesperides" in 1648. The poem reflects the cultural values and beliefs of the time, which emphasized the importance of poetry, music, and art in everyday life.

Themes

The main themes of the poem are joy, optimism, creativity, and the power of poetry. The speaker urges the reader to enjoy life to the fullest, to embrace the pleasures of the senses, and to find solace in good poetry. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature, the pleasures of music and dance, and the joys of love and friendship. The speaker also emphasizes the transformative power of poetry, which can uplift the spirit, inspire creativity, and provide comfort in troubled times.

Language

The language of the poem is simple, direct, and lyrical. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyming scheme of ABAB. The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to memorize and recite. The language is also filled with vivid images and metaphors that appeal to the senses and create a sense of joy and wonder. For example, "Then let us laugh and sing and dance, / And drive dull care away" (lines 7-8) evokes a sense of joy and celebration, while "And thou shalt hear the surges say / It flows, it flows" (lines 17-18) creates a sense of motion and fluidity.

Structure

The poem consists of four quatrains, or four-line stanzas, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. The first two lines of each stanza are written in iambic tetrameter, while the third and fourth lines are written in iambic trimeter. The use of shorter lines in the third and fourth lines creates a sense of variation and rhythm in the poem. The poem also has a regular cadence and musicality, which gives it a sense of joy and playfulness.

Literary Criticism and Interpretation

The poem begins with an exhortation to "live merrily" and to "trust to good verses" as a source of comfort and inspiration. The speaker urges the reader to "be content" with the simple pleasures of life, such as "a little field-mouse, / A rye-straw, and a thimble" (lines 3-4), and to find happiness in the beauty of nature and the company of friends. The poem celebrates the joys of music, dance, and love, and emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of joy and celebration, as the speaker urges the reader to "pluck the fruit, and taste the wine" and to "let the night owl sing his note" (lines 6-8). The language is full of sensory images, such as the "reddest lips" and the "frosty nights," which evoke a sense of pleasure and delight.

The third stanza of the poem shifts to a more reflective tone, as the speaker contemplates the power of poetry to uplift the spirit and inspire creativity. The speaker imagines a scenario where a poet creates a beautiful verse, which then "makes a new housewife" and "puts life into an egg" (lines 9-10). The language is full of metaphors and similes that suggest the magical quality of poetry, which can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of joy and celebration, as the speaker urges the reader to "laugh and sing and dance" and to "drive dull care away." The language is full of images of motion and activity, such as the "ocean's flow" and the "wanton wind." The speaker suggests that by embracing the pleasures of life and the power of poetry, one can find happiness and fulfillment in the midst of adversity.

In conclusion, "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" is a delightful poem that celebrates the joys of life and the power of poetry. The poem is full of vivid images, metaphors, and musical language that create a sense of joy and wonder. The poem reflects the cultural values and beliefs of its time, which emphasized the importance of poetry, music, and art in everyday life. Through its celebration of joy, creativity, and the transformative power of poetry, the poem remains a timeless and inspiring work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" by Robert Herrick. This classic poem is a celebration of life, love, and the power of poetry.

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his lyrical poetry. He was a master of the genre, and his poems were often set to music. "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" is one of his most famous poems, and it is easy to see why. The poem is a celebration of life and the power of poetry to bring joy and happiness.

The poem begins with the lines, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old Time is still a-flying." These lines are a call to action, urging the reader to seize the day and enjoy life while they can. The rosebuds are a metaphor for the pleasures of life, and the poem encourages us to enjoy them while we still can. The idea of "Old Time" flying is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it.

The next stanza of the poem is a celebration of love. Herrick writes, "And this same flower that smiles today, / Tomorrow will be dying." This line is a reminder that love, like life, is fleeting. We should cherish it while we can, for tomorrow it may be gone. The poem encourages us to love deeply and passionately, to seize the moment and enjoy the pleasures of life.

The third stanza of the poem is a celebration of poetry. Herrick writes, "The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, / The higher he's a-getting, / The sooner will his race be run, / And nearer he's to setting." This stanza is a metaphor for the power of poetry to capture the beauty of life. Just as the sun is setting, so too is life fleeting. But poetry has the power to capture the beauty of life and preserve it for future generations.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Herrick writes, "Then be not coy, but use your time, / And while ye may, go marry; / For having lost but once your prime, / You may forever tarry." This stanza is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it. We should not be afraid to seize the day, to love deeply, and to enjoy the pleasures of life. The poem encourages us to live life to the fullest, to trust in the power of poetry, and to embrace the beauty of the world around us.

In conclusion, "To Live Merrily, And To Trust To Good Verses" is a celebration of life, love, and the power of poetry. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it. The poem encourages us to seize the day, to love deeply, and to enjoy the pleasures of life. It is a call to action, urging us to trust in the power of poetry to capture the beauty of life and preserve it for future generations. Robert Herrick was a master of the genre, and this classic poem is a testament to his skill as a poet.

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