'Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow' by Ben Jonson
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Have you seen but a bright lily grow
Before rude hands have touched it?
Have you marked but the fall of snow
Before the soil hath smutched it?
Have you felt the wool of beaver,
Or swan's down ever?
Or have smelt o' the bud o' the brier,
Or the nard in the fire?
Or have tasted the bag of the bee?
O so white, O so soft, O so sweet is she!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow: A Masterpiece by Ben Jonson
Have you ever been moved by a poem that is so beautiful and touching that it leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder? If you haven't, then you've never read Ben Jonson's classic poem, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow?" This masterpiece of English literature is one of Jonson's most famous works, and it is a shining example of his poetic genius.
Background Information
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's talk a little bit about the poet. Ben Jonson was an English playwright and poet who lived from 1572 to 1637. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and is considered to be one of the greatest playwrights of the early modern period. Jonson was known for his wit, his satire, and his ability to write both comedy and tragedy. His poetry was equally impressive, and he is often regarded as one of the finest poets of the 17th century.
The Poem
"Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow?" is a short poem that consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem was first published in 1616 in Jonson's collection of poems called "The Forrest." It is a simple and straightforward poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a question: "Have you seen but a bright lily grow, / Before rude hands have touched it?" This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking if the reader has ever seen a lily in its natural state, untouched by human hands. This is a metaphor for the beauty of nature that exists in its purest form, without any interference from man.
The second stanza continues the theme of nature's beauty: "Have you marked but the fall of the snow, / Before the soil hath smutched it?" The snow is another natural wonder that is beautiful before it is tainted by the dirt and grime of the earth. The image of the snow falling and covering the ground is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea of purity and innocence.
The third stanza takes a turn towards the darker side of nature: "Have you felt the wool of the beaver, / Or swan's down ever?" Here, the speaker is referring to the fur of animals that are hunted for their valuable pelts. This is a reminder that even the most beautiful things in nature can be corrupted by human greed and desire.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle: "Or have smelt o' the bud o' the brier, / Or the nard in the fire?" The brier is a thorny plant that produces a fragrant flower, and the nard is a fragrant oil that was used in ancient times for perfume. These are both examples of natural beauty that can be enjoyed, but they are also reminders that such beauty is fleeting and can be lost forever.
Interpretation
So what is the meaning of this poem? On the surface, it is a celebration of the beauty of nature, but there is much more going on here than meets the eye. The poem is also a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death.
The images of the lily and the snow are both examples of things that are beautiful but short-lived. The lily blooms for only a short time before it withers and dies, and the snow melts away as soon as the sun comes out. These are reminders that life is fleeting, and that we should enjoy every moment that we have.
The reference to the beaver and the swan also speaks to the idea of death. Both of these animals are hunted for their pelts, which are valuable commodities. This is a reminder that even the most beautiful things in nature can be destroyed by human greed and desire.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with references to the brier and the nard. These are both examples of natural beauty that can be enjoyed, but they are also reminders that such beauty is fleeting and can be lost forever. The reference to the nard in the fire is particularly poignant, as it is a reminder that even the most beautiful things can be destroyed in an instant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow?" is a masterful poem that celebrates the beauty of nature while also reminding us of its fleeting nature. Jonson's use of metaphor and imagery is both powerful and effective, and the poem leaves a lasting impression on the reader. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a true masterpiece of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow: A Poem of Love and Beauty
Ben Jonson, one of the greatest poets of the English Renaissance, wrote a beautiful poem titled "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow." This poem is a perfect example of Jonson's mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of love and beauty in his writing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the question "Have you seen but a bright lily grow, before rude hands have touched it?" This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it immediately introduces the theme of beauty and its fragility. The lily, a symbol of purity and innocence, is used to represent the beauty of a woman. The phrase "before rude hands have touched it" suggests that the beauty of a woman can be easily destroyed by the actions of others.
The second stanza continues this theme of beauty and its fragility by describing how the lily "hangs its head and cries." This personification of the lily adds to the emotional impact of the poem, as it suggests that the beauty of a woman is not just physical, but also emotional. The lily's tears represent the pain and sadness that a woman may feel when her beauty is taken away from her.
The third stanza introduces the theme of love, as the speaker asks if the person he is addressing has "seen but the fall of showers upon the sweet-breath'd flower?" This line suggests that the beauty of a woman is not just fragile, but also fleeting. The rain, a symbol of time and change, represents the passing of time and the inevitability of aging. The sweet-breath'd flower, a symbol of a woman's youth and vitality, is slowly fading away.
The fourth stanza continues this theme of love and its connection to beauty by describing how the lily "withers on the stalk." This line suggests that the beauty of a woman is not just fragile and fleeting, but also temporary. The lily, once so beautiful and vibrant, is now dying. The speaker is reminding us that the beauty of a woman is not something that can be taken for granted, but something that must be cherished and appreciated while it lasts.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close by returning to the theme of beauty and its fragility. The speaker asks if the person he is addressing has "seen the virgin rose, when she begins to grow?" This line suggests that the beauty of a woman is not just physical, but also spiritual. The virgin rose, a symbol of purity and innocence, represents the inner beauty of a woman. The speaker is reminding us that the beauty of a woman is not just something that can be seen, but also something that can be felt.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with each stanza following an ABAB pattern. This simplicity adds to the emotional impact of the poem, as it allows the reader to focus on the beauty of the language and the themes that are being explored.
The language of the poem is also beautiful and poetic, with Jonson using a variety of literary devices to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. For example, the personification of the lily in the second stanza adds to the emotional impact of the poem by making the lily seem more human and relatable. The use of symbolism throughout the poem, such as the lily, the rain, and the rose, adds to the depth and complexity of the poem by allowing the reader to interpret the poem in a variety of ways.
In conclusion, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of beauty, love, and the fragility of life. Jonson's mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of these themes in his writing make this poem a classic of English literature. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of language, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
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