'Corinna's Going A-Maying' by Robert Herrick


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Get up, get up for shame! the blooming morn
Upon her wings presents the god unshorn.
See how Aurora throws her fair
Fresh-quilted colours through the air!
Get up, sweet slug-a-bed, and see
The dew bespangled herb and tree.
Each flower has wept and bowed toward the east
Above an hour since,-yet you not dressed;
Nay! not so much as out of bed?
When all the birds have matins said
And sung their thankful hymns, 'tis sin-Nay, profanation-to keep in,
Whenas a thousand virgins on this day
Spring sooner than the lark, to fetch in May.Rise, and put on your foliage, and be seen
To come forth, like the springtime, fresh and green
And sweet as Flora. Take no care
For jewels for your gown or hair:
Fear not, the leaves will strew
Gems in abundance upon you:
Besides, the childhood of the day has kept,
Against you come, some orient pearls unwept.
Come, and receive them while the light
Hangs on the dew-locks of the night:
And Titan on the eastern hill
Retires himself, or else stands still
Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying:
Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying.Come, my Corinna, come; and coming, mark
How each field turns a street, each street a park
Made green and trimmed with trees! See how
Devotion gives each house a bough
Or branch! Each porch, each door, ere this
An ark, a tabernacle is,
Made up of whitethorn neatly interwove,
As if here were those cooler shades of love.
Can such delights be in the street
And open fields and we not see 't?
Come, we'll abroad; and let's obey
The proclamation made for May,
And sin no more, as we have done, by staying;
But, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying.There's not a budding boy or girl this day
But is got up and gone to bring in May.
A deal of youth, ere this, is come
Back, and with whitethorn laden, home.
Some have dispatched their cakes and cream,
Before that we have left to dream;
And some have wept and wooed and plighted troth,
And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth:
Many a green-gown has been given,
Many a kiss, both odd and even;
Many a glance too has been sent
From out the eye, love's firmament;
Many a jest told of the key's betraying
This night, and locks picked: yet we're not a-Maying!Come, let us go while we are in our prime,
And take the harmless folly of the time!
We shall grow old apace, and die
Before we know our liberty.
Our life is short, and our days run
As fast away as does the sun;
And, as a vapour or a drop of rain,
Once lost can ne'er be found again;
So when or you or I are made
A fable, song, or fleeting shade,
All love, all liking, all delight
Lies drowned with us in endless night.
Then while time serves, and we are but decaying,
Come, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Corinna's Going A-Maying by Robert Herrick

Oh, what a beautiful poem Corinna's Going A-Maying is! It is one of the most celebrated poems of the 17th century, and for a good reason. Robert Herrick, the author, manages to capture the essence of springtime, love, and joy in just a few stanzas. In this essay, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem and interpret its meaning.

The Themes of Corinna's Going A-Maying

At its core, Corinna's Going A-Maying is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the joys it brings. The poem is filled with images of nature, such as "fields of clover," "the garlands gay," and "the queen of May." Herrick emphasizes the beauty of the season, and how it affects the people who experience it. He writes, "And all the world turn'd gay" - implying that the arrival of spring brings happiness and joy to everyone.

However, the poem is not only about nature, but also about love. Corinna, the protagonist, is going to celebrate May Day with her lover. The poem implies that they will spend the day together, enjoying the beauty of spring and each other's company. This theme is evident in lines such as "And we shall hear, as we walk along, / The distant echoes of a song / That we shall answer with a kiss, / And then trip on, trip on, trip on" - which illustrates the romantic nature of the day.

Finally, the poem is also about the passage of time. Herrick emphasizes the fleeting nature of spring, and how it must be enjoyed while it lasts. He writes, "And this same flower that smiles today, / Tomorrow will be dying" - implying that we must appreciate the beauty of spring while we can, as it will not last forever.

The Structure of Corinna's Going A-Maying

Corinna's Going A-Maying is a lyric poem, meaning it is a poem that expresses personal feelings or thoughts. The poem is made up of 48 lines, divided into 12 stanzas of 4 lines each. Each stanza has an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines rhyming. This structure gives the poem a sing-song quality, and makes it easy to remember.

The poem is also written in iambic tetrameter, meaning each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable). This structure gives the poem a rhythmic quality, and makes it easy to read aloud. The use of rhythm and rhyme helps to reinforce the poem's themes of joy and celebration.

The Language of Corinna's Going A-Maying

One of the most striking features of Corinna's Going A-Maying is the use of vivid imagery. Herrick uses the natural world to create a sense of joy and wonder in the poem. For example, he writes, "See how Aurora throws her fair / Fresh-quilted colours through the air" - which creates an image of the dawn breaking over the horizon in a burst of vibrant colours. Herrick also describes "The youthful season, fresh and gay, / And all the world turn'd gay" - which implies that the arrival of spring brings happiness and joy to everyone.

Herrick also uses a variety of literary techniques to create a sense of excitement and joy in the poem. He uses repetition to emphasize certain phrases, such as "trip on, trip on, trip on" - which creates a sense of movement and excitement. Herrick also uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, he writes, "And we shall hear, as we walk along, / The distant echoes of a song" - which emphasizes the sound of the music and the joy it brings.

Interpretation of Corinna's Going A-Maying

Corinna's Going A-Maying is a celebration of springtime, love, and joy. The poem emphasizes the beauty of nature, and how it affects the people who experience it. Herrick uses vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and literary techniques to create a sense of excitement and joy in the poem.

However, the poem is also about the passage of time, and how we must appreciate the beauty of life while we can. Herrick emphasizes the fleeting nature of spring, and how it must be enjoyed while it lasts. This theme is evident in lines such as "And this same flower that smiles today, / Tomorrow will be dying" - which implies that we must appreciate the beauty of life and love while we can, as they will not last forever.

Overall, Corinna's Going A-Maying is a beautiful poem that celebrates the joys of life and love. Herrick's use of language and structure creates a sense of excitement and joy, while his themes of springtime and the passage of time remind us to appreciate the beauty of life while we can.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Corinna's Going A-Maying: A Celebration of Spring and Love

Spring is in the air and love is in the hearts of the young. This is the theme of Robert Herrick's classic poem, "Corinna's Going A-Maying." Written in the 17th century, the poem is a celebration of the joys of spring and the pleasures of love. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this beautiful poem.

The poem begins with the speaker urging his beloved, Corinna, to join him and his friends in a May Day celebration. He describes the beauty of the spring morning, with its "sweet showers" and "fragrant flowers." He invites Corinna to "come, let us goe, while we are in our prime; / And take the harmlesse follie of the time."

The speaker is urging Corinna to seize the day and enjoy the pleasures of youth while they last. He wants her to forget her cares and join him in a carefree celebration of life. The phrase "harmless folly" suggests that the speaker is not advocating reckless behavior, but rather a joyful abandonment of inhibitions.

The poem goes on to describe the various activities that the group will engage in during their May Day celebration. They will gather flowers, sing songs, and dance in the fields. The speaker describes the beauty of the countryside, with its "daisies pied, and violets blew, / And all sweet flowers that in the forrest grew."

The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly striking. The speaker's description of the flowers and the countryside creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of color words such as "pied" and "blew" adds to the beauty of the scene. The reader can almost smell the fragrance of the flowers and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's focus shifts from the beauty of the natural world to the pleasures of love. He urges Corinna to "crown" herself with flowers and "beauteous buds," and to "let us sport us while we may." The speaker is suggesting that they should enjoy the pleasures of physical love while they are young and beautiful.

The poem is not explicit in its description of love, but the imagery suggests a sensual and passionate experience. The use of words such as "sport" and "crown" suggest a playful and joyful approach to love. The speaker is not advocating a serious or long-term commitment, but rather a celebration of the physical pleasures of youth.

The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of the joys of spring and the pleasures of love. The speaker urges Corinna to "live with me, and be my love," and promises her a life of happiness and pleasure. He describes a world where the birds sing and the flowers bloom, and where love is the only thing that matters.

The final lines of the poem are particularly beautiful. The speaker promises Corinna that they will "sit upon the rocks, / Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks, / By shallow rivers to whose falls / Melodious birds sing madrigals." The imagery in these lines is stunning. The reader can almost see the couple sitting on the rocks, listening to the birds sing and watching the shepherds tend their flocks.

In conclusion, "Corinna's Going A-Maying" is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the joys of spring and the pleasures of love. The speaker urges his beloved to join him in a carefree celebration of life, and to enjoy the physical pleasures of youth while they last. The imagery in the poem is vivid and striking, creating a beautiful picture of the natural world and the pleasures of love. This poem is a celebration of life and love, and a reminder to seize the day and enjoy the pleasures of youth while they last.

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