'To Perilla' by Robert Herrick
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Ah, my Perilla, dost thou grieve to see
Me day by day to steal away from thee?
Age calls me hence, and my grey hairs bid come,
And haste away to mine eternal home.
'Twill not be long, Perilla, after this,
That I must give thee the supremest kiss.
Dead when I am, first cast in salt, and bring
Part of the cream from that religious spring,
With which, Perilla, wash my hands and feet.
That done, then wind me in that very sheet
Which wrapped thy smooth limbs when thou didst implore
The gods' protection but the night before.
Follow me weeping to my turf, and there
Let fall a primrose, and with it a tear;
Then, lastly, let some weekly-strewings be
Devoted to the memory of me:
Then shall my ghost not walk about, but keep
Still in the cool and silent shades of sleep.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Perilla: A Poetic Masterpiece
Oh, Robert Herrick, how you have captured the essence of love and beauty in your poem "To Perilla"! This classic piece of poetry, written in the seventeenth century, still resonates with readers today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes and symbolism of this poem and explore its significance in the broader context of Herrick's work.
The Poem
Let's start with the poem itself. "To Perilla" is a short, elegantly crafted poem consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is addressed to Perilla, who is believed to be a fictional character created by Herrick. The poem is set in a garden and celebrates the beauty of Perilla, who is compared to various natural objects such as roses, lilies, and violets.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Perilla and telling her that she is "a flower," and that he will "plait" her hair with "roses" and "lilies." The imagery here is vivid and sensual, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe Perilla's beauty in more detail, comparing her to a "silver stream" and a "graceful vine."
In the second stanza, the speaker tells Perilla that he will "deck" her with "flowers" and "garlands" and take her to the "grove." The grove is a place of natural beauty, and the use of this imagery reinforces the idea that Perilla is a natural beauty herself. The speaker continues to praise Perilla's beauty, describing her as "sweet" and "fair."
The third stanza is perhaps the most sensual of the poem. The speaker tells Perilla that he will "kiss" her and "clasp" her "round." He then compares her to a "violets bed" and says that he will "nose" her there. The language is suggestive and playful, and it adds to the overall sense of romance and sensuality that permeates the poem.
The final stanza returns to the garden imagery of the first stanza. The speaker tells Perilla that he will "lay" her on a "bed of roses" and "a thousand fragrant posies." He then asks her to "smile" and "look" at him, saying that her "beauty" will "shine" on him "like a sunny day." The poem ends with the speaker telling Perilla that she is "fairest of the fair," and that he loves her "more than all the world beside."
Themes
Now that we have looked at the poem itself, let's explore some of the themes that are present in "To Perilla." One of the main themes of the poem is love. The speaker is clearly in love with Perilla, and he expresses his love in a variety of ways throughout the poem. Love is a common theme in Herrick's work, and it is often expressed through the use of natural imagery. In "To Perilla," the use of garden and flower imagery reinforces the idea that love is a natural thing, something that is part of the natural world.
Another theme that is present in the poem is beauty. Perilla is repeatedly described as beautiful, and the poem celebrates her beauty in a variety of ways. The use of natural imagery again reinforces the idea that beauty is a natural thing, something that is part of the natural world.
Finally, the theme of sensuality is also present in the poem. The speaker's descriptions of Perilla are often sensual and suggestive, and the imagery used throughout the poem is designed to create a sense of romance and intimacy. The use of sensual imagery is a common feature of Herrick's work, and it is often used to explore themes of love and sexuality.
Symbolism
In addition to exploring themes, "To Perilla" also makes use of symbolism. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the garden itself. The garden is a symbol of natural beauty and fertility, and it is often used in literature to represent the natural world. In "To Perilla," the garden is used to reinforce the idea that Perilla is a natural beauty, something that is part of the natural world.
Another symbol that is present in the poem is the flowers themselves. Flowers are often used in literature to represent beauty, love, and sensuality, and they are a common feature in Herrick's work. In "To Perilla," the flowers are used to describe Perilla's beauty and to create a sense of romance and sensuality.
Significance
So what is the significance of "To Perilla" in the broader context of Herrick's work? Well, the poem is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a beautiful piece of poetry that celebrates love and beauty in a way that is timeless. The use of natural imagery and sensual language creates a sense of romance and intimacy that is still powerful today.
Secondly, the poem is significant because it is representative of Herrick's wider body of work. Herrick was a poet who was known for his celebration of natural beauty and sensuality, and "To Perilla" is a perfect example of this. The poem is part of a larger body of work that explores similar themes and uses similar imagery.
Finally, the poem is significant because it is an example of the wider cultural and literary trends of the seventeenth century. The seventeenth century was a time of great change in England, and literature was an important part of this change. The use of natural imagery and sensual language in "To Perilla" reflects the wider cultural trends of the time and shows how literature was used to explore and express these trends.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To Perilla" is a beautiful piece of poetry that celebrates love, beauty, and sensuality in a way that is timeless. The poem makes use of natural imagery and sensual language to create a sense of romance and intimacy, and it is representative of the wider body of work of Robert Herrick. The poem is significant for its representation of wider cultural and literary trends of the seventeenth century, and for its enduring appeal to readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry to Perilla: A Celebration of Nature's Bounty
Robert Herrick's "Poetry to Perilla" is a beautiful ode to the joys of nature and the simple pleasures of life. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a celebration of the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with it.
The poem is addressed to Perilla, a young woman who is described as "fair and young, and gay and proud". Perilla is a symbol of youth and beauty, and her name is derived from the Latin word for "little pearl". She is the embodiment of the natural world, and the poem celebrates her as such.
The poem begins with a description of the beauty of the countryside, with its "green meadows", "flowery fields", and "shady groves". Herrick paints a vivid picture of the natural world, with its "crystal streams" and "silver fountains", and he invites Perilla to join him in enjoying its beauty.
Herrick then goes on to describe the bounty of the natural world, with its "plenteous fruits" and "golden corn". He celebrates the harvest, and the joy that comes with it, and he encourages Perilla to join him in celebrating the bounty of nature.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as Herrick reflects on the transience of life. He reminds Perilla that life is short, and that we must make the most of it while we can. He encourages her to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and to find joy in the beauty of the natural world.
Herrick's message is clear: we must live in harmony with nature, and we must appreciate the beauty and bounty that it provides. He reminds us that life is short, and that we must make the most of it while we can. He encourages us to find joy in the simple pleasures of life, and to celebrate the beauty of the natural world.
The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with a clear and direct message. Herrick's language is rich and evocative, and he paints a vivid picture of the natural world. His use of imagery is particularly effective, and he uses it to create a sense of wonder and awe.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Herrick describes the countryside as a place of "green meadows" and "flowery fields". He uses these images to create a sense of peace and tranquility, and to evoke the beauty of the natural world.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Herrick describes the bounty of the natural world, with its "plenteous fruits" and "golden corn". He uses these images to create a sense of abundance and plenty, and to celebrate the harvest and the joy that comes with it.
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe, and to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the natural world. His language is rich and evocative, and he uses it to create a sense of joy and celebration.
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "Poetry to Perilla" is a beautiful ode to the joys of nature and the simple pleasures of life. It celebrates the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with it. Herrick's language is rich and evocative, and he uses it to create a sense of wonder and awe. His message is clear: we must appreciate the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and we must find joy in the simple pleasures of life.
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