'Song (Sylvia The Fair, In The Bloom Of Fifteen)' by John Dryden


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Sylvia the fair, in the bloom of fifteen,
Felt an innocent warmth as she lay on the green:
She had heard of a pleasure, and something she guessed
By the towsing and tumbling and touching her breast:
She saw the men eager, but was at a loss
What they meant by their sighing and kissing so close;
By their praying and whining,
And clasping and twining,
And panting and wishing,
And sighing and kissing,
And sighing and kissing so close."Ah!" she cried, "ah, for a languishing maid
In a country of Christians to die without aid!
Not a Whig, or a Tory, or Trimmer at least,
Or a Protestant parson, or Catholic priest,
To instruct a young virgin that is at a loss
What they meant by their sighing and kissing so close;
By their praying and whining,
And clasping and twining,
And panting and wishing,
And sighing and kissing,
And sighing and kissing so close."Cupid in shape of a swain did appear;
He saw the sad wound, and in pity drew near;
Then showed her his arrow, and bid her not fear,
For the pain was no more than a maiden may bear;
When the balm was infused, she was not at a loss
What they meant by their sighing and kissing so close;
By their praying and whining,
And clasping and twining,
And panting and wishing,
And sighing and kissing,
And sighing and kissing so close.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analysis of John Dryden's "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen"

John Dryden is one of the most celebrated poets of the 17th century. He is known for his mastery of different forms of poetry, including satire, heroic couplets, and lyric poetry. "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is a lyric poem that Dryden wrote in the mid-17th century. The poem is a love song that describes the beauty of Sylvia, a young woman who has just reached the age of fifteen. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis of the poem, focusing on its themes, imagery, and form.

Themes

The central theme of "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is love. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of young love and the innocence of young lovers. Dryden portrays Sylvia as a perfect embodiment of youth and beauty, and he uses her as a symbol of the idealized love that the speaker feels for her. The poem is also a celebration of nature, as Dryden uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world around Sylvia. The poem's imagery of nature is used to emphasize Sylvia's beauty, which is seen as a reflection of the natural world.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the theme of time and mortality. Sylvia is described as being "in the bloom of fifteen," which suggests that her beauty is fleeting and will eventually fade away. The speaker is aware of this fact and expresses his desire to make the most of the time that he has with Sylvia. He urges her to seize the moment and enjoy the pleasures of youth before they slip away.

Imagery

The imagery in "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is rich and vibrant. Dryden uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, he describes Sylvia's eyes as being "bright as the day/ And the glow of her cheek/ Would shame the morning's ray." These descriptions of Sylvia's beauty are intertwined with images of nature, which are used to emphasize her beauty. The poem is filled with images of flowers, birds, and other natural phenomena, which are used as metaphors for Sylvia's beauty.

The poem's use of imagery is also used to create a sense of urgency. The speaker is aware that Sylvia's beauty is fleeting, and he urges her to seize the moment and enjoy the pleasures of youth before they slip away. He tells her that "time flies apace/ Every moment's a treasure/ Then why should we waste/ Our youth in displeasure?" This sense of urgency is created through the use of vivid and sensual imagery, which creates a sense of immediacy and urgency in the reader.

Form

"Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is a lyric poem that is written in rhyming couplets. The poem's form is simple but effective, as it allows Dryden to convey his message in a concise and direct manner. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which contains eight lines. The use of rhyming couplets creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, which is used to emphasize the poem's central themes.

The poem's use of repetition is also a notable feature of its form. Dryden repeats the phrase "Sylvia the fair" several times throughout the poem, which reinforces her status as the object of the speaker's affection. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, which helps to reinforce its central themes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the beauty of young love and the natural world. Dryden's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sensory experience for the reader, which helps to reinforce the poem's central themes. The poem is a testament to Dryden's skill as a poet, as he is able to convey his message in a concise and effective manner. Overall, "Sylvia the Fair, In the Bloom of Fifteen" is a timeless work of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song (Sylvia The Fair, In The Bloom Of Fifteen): A Masterpiece by John Dryden

John Dryden, the renowned English poet, playwright, and literary critic, is known for his exceptional works that have stood the test of time. One such masterpiece is the Poetry Song (Sylvia The Fair, In The Bloom Of Fifteen), a beautiful ode to love and youth. This poem, written in the 17th century, is still relevant today and continues to captivate readers with its lyrical beauty and timeless themes.

The poem begins with the introduction of Sylvia, a young and beautiful girl who is in the bloom of fifteen. The poet describes her as fair, which means beautiful, and emphasizes her youthfulness. The use of the word "bloom" is significant as it suggests that Sylvia is at the peak of her beauty and vitality. The poet's choice of words creates a vivid image of a young girl who is full of life and energy.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The poet describes how Sylvia's beauty has attracted the attention of many suitors, but she remains uninterested in their advances. The use of the word "coy" suggests that Sylvia is shy and hesitant when it comes to love. The poet also uses the word "chaste" to describe Sylvia, which means pure and virtuous. This emphasizes the idea that Sylvia is not interested in love for its own sake but is waiting for the right person to come along.

In the third stanza, the poet introduces the character of Strephon, who is the object of Sylvia's affection. The poet describes Strephon as a handsome and charming young man who has won Sylvia's heart. The use of the word "swain" to describe Strephon is significant as it suggests that he is a country boy who is simple and honest. This contrasts with the other suitors who are described as "courtly" and "gay," suggesting that they are more interested in wealth and status than in love.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the love between Sylvia and Strephon. The poet uses the metaphor of a flower to describe their love, saying that it is "as sweet as the blossom in May." This emphasizes the idea that their love is pure and innocent, like the beauty of nature. The poet also uses the word "constant" to describe their love, suggesting that it is enduring and steadfast.

The fifth stanza of the poem describes the obstacles that Sylvia and Strephon face in their love. The poet describes how Sylvia's father disapproves of their relationship and wants her to marry someone else. The use of the word "tyrant" to describe Sylvia's father suggests that he is cruel and oppressive. This creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, as the reader wonders whether Sylvia and Strephon will be able to overcome these obstacles and be together.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem resolves the conflict and ends on a hopeful note. The poet describes how Sylvia and Strephon have eloped and are now living happily together. The use of the word "blessed" to describe their union suggests that their love is pure and holy. The poet also uses the word "joy" to describe their happiness, emphasizing the idea that love brings joy and fulfillment.

In conclusion, the Poetry Song (Sylvia The Fair, In The Bloom Of Fifteen) is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the beauty of youth and the power of love. The poet's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a rich and evocative world that captures the reader's imagination. The themes of love, purity, and perseverance are as relevant today as they were in the 17th century, making this poem a true masterpiece of English literature.

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