'Song On May Morning' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonNow the bright morning Star, Dayes harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The Flowry May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcom thee, and wish thee long.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Joyful Celebration of May Morning in John Milton's "Song On May Morning"

As the sun rises on May morning, John Milton's "Song On May Morning" invites us to celebrate the joy of spring and the beauty of nature. With its vivid and evocative imagery and its joyful tone, the poem captures the essence of the season and the spirit of renewal that it brings.

Form and Structure

The poem consists of 23 lines in total, divided into 5 stanzas of varying length. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the arrival of spring and the renewal of life:

Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose.

The second stanza continues the theme of renewal, describing the return of the birds and the sound of their songs:

Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing;
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

The third stanza shifts the focus to human society, celebrating the joy of youth and the pleasures of love:

Thou shalt have our songs and we will thy
Fragrant posies, blooming nigh,
And thy strung gifts of sweets,
Which from thy pretty finger smells.

The fourth stanza introduces a more philosophical note, reflecting on the transience of life and the inevitability of death:

The dew shall weep thy fall tonight;
For thou must die.
Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave,
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,
Thy root is ever in its grave,
And thou must die.

The final stanza returns to the theme of renewal, proclaiming the victory of life over death and the eternal cycle of nature:

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie;
My music shows ye have your closes,
And all must die.

Overall, the poem has a simple and straightforward structure, with each stanza building on the themes and images of the previous one. The use of rhyme and repetition helps to create a sense of unity and coherence, while the shifting tone and focus keep the poem fresh and engaging.

Imagery and Themes

One of the most striking features of "Song On May Morning" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Milton uses a wide range of sensory details to evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of spring, from the "flowery May" throwing "The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose" to the "fragrant posies, blooming nigh" and the "strung gifts of sweets" from the hand of the May Queen. The poem abounds with images of life and renewal, from the "bright morning star" to the "woods and groves" dressed in green, from the birds "singing on every spray" to the "pretty finger" of the May Queen.

At the same time, however, the poem also contains darker and more reflective themes, such as the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The image of the rose, for example, is used to symbolize the fragility and impermanence of human existence, as it "must die" despite its beauty and splendor. This theme is echoed in the final stanza, which acknowledges that "all must die" even as it celebrates the eternal cycle of nature and the promise of renewal.

Overall, then, "Song On May Morning" is a poem that celebrates the joy of spring and the beauty of nature, while also reflecting on the deeper themes of life, death, and the human condition. Its rich and evocative imagery, combined with its simple and engaging structure, make it a masterpiece of English poetry and a timeless celebration of the spring season.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song On May Morning: A Celebration of Spring and Renewal

John Milton’s Poetry Song On May Morning is a beautiful ode to the arrival of spring and the renewal of life that it brings. Written in the 17th century, this classic poem captures the essence of the season with its vivid imagery, rhythmic flow, and joyful tone. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this masterpiece of English literature.

The poem begins with a description of the dawn of May Day, a traditional celebration of spring in England. Milton paints a picture of the sun rising over the hills, casting a golden glow over the landscape. He describes the dew on the grass, the birds singing in the trees, and the flowers blooming in the fields. The imagery is so vivid that one can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the freshness of the air.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the beauty and vitality of nature. The second stanza focuses on the birds, which are a symbol of spring and renewal. Milton describes them as “choristers” who sing a “hymn of mirth” to welcome the new season. He also mentions the cuckoo, which is a traditional harbinger of spring in England. The repetition of the word “sweet” emphasizes the joy and sweetness of the birds’ songs.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the flowers, which are another symbol of spring and renewal. Milton describes them as “fair” and “gay,” using words that suggest both beauty and happiness. He mentions the primrose, which is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, and the cowslip, which is a traditional symbol of May Day. The use of alliteration in the phrase “cowslips’ bell” adds to the musicality of the poem.

The fourth stanza returns to the birds, but this time it focuses on their flight. Milton describes them as “winged choristers” who “soar the sky” and “warble their notes on high.” The use of the word “warble” suggests a joyful, musical sound, and the repetition of the word “soar” emphasizes the freedom and beauty of the birds’ flight.

The fifth stanza is a celebration of the countryside, which is a traditional setting for May Day celebrations. Milton describes the fields as “green” and “fair,” and the hills as “purpled” with heather. He also mentions the “flocks” and “herds” of animals that graze in the fields, adding to the sense of abundance and vitality.

The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a call to celebrate the arrival of spring. Milton urges his readers to “come forth” and “rejoice” in the beauty of nature. He also mentions the “May-pole,” which is a traditional symbol of May Day celebrations in England. The use of the word “jocund” suggests a sense of merriment and joy.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The rhythm is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or pairs of syllables with the stress on the second syllable. This gives the poem a steady, flowing rhythm that is easy to read and remember.

Milton uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the beauty and musicality of the poem. One of the most prominent is imagery, which is used throughout the poem to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. For example, the description of the sun rising over the hills in the first stanza is a powerful image that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of alliteration, as in “cowslips’ bell,” adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it more memorable.

Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The birds, flowers, and countryside are all symbols of spring and renewal, and they are used to create a sense of joy and vitality. The May-pole is also a symbol of May Day celebrations, which are a traditional way of welcoming the new season.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in meaning and emotion. Milton’s use of words like “fair,” “gay,” and “jocund” creates a sense of happiness and celebration. The repetition of words like “sweet” and “soar” emphasizes the beauty and joy of nature.

In conclusion, John Milton’s Poetry Song On May Morning is a beautiful celebration of spring and renewal. The vivid imagery, rhythmic flow, and joyful tone make it a classic of English literature. The poem is a reminder of the beauty and vitality of nature, and it encourages us to celebrate the arrival of spring with joy and merriment.

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