'Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers' by Thomas Carew
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1630The Lady Mary Villiers lies
Under this stone; with weeping eyes
The parents that first gave her breath,
And their sad friends, laid her in earth.
If any of them, reader, were
Known unto thee, shed a tear;
Or if thyself possess a gem
As dear to thee as this to them,
Though a stranger to this place,
Bewail in theirs thine own hard case,
For thou perhaps at thy return
Mayst find thy darling in an urn.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers by Thomas Carew: A Masterpiece of Elegy
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of seventeenth-century English poetry? Then sit back, relax and let me guide you through the complex and beautiful world of "Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers" by Thomas Carew.
Thomas Carew was a member of the Cavalier poets, a group of poets who supported the king during the English Civil War. His poetry is characterized by its elegance, wit, and musicality, and "Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers" is a perfect example of his style.
The Poem
The poem is an elegy, a poem that mourns the death of someone. Mary Villiers was a noblewoman, and the poem was probably commissioned by her family as a tribute to her memory. The poem is written in first-person point of view, as if Carew were speaking directly to Mary Villiers.
The First Stanza
The poem opens with a beautiful image:
Underneath this sable hearse
Lies the subject of all verse,
Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother.
Death, ere thou hast slain another
Fair and learned and good as she,
Time shall throw a dart at thee.
The "sable hearse" is the black coffin that contains Mary Villiers' body. The image is powerful and dramatic, and it immediately sets the mood of the poem: sadness and mourning.
The second line of the stanza is the key to the poem's meaning: Mary Villiers is "the subject of all verse." This means that she is the inspiration for all poetry, the muse that inspires poets to write. This line is a tribute to Mary Villiers' beauty, intelligence, and charm, qualities that inspired Carew to write this elegy.
The third line mentions her relationship to two important figures of the time: Sidney and Pembroke. Sir Philip Sidney was a poet and a courtier who died in 1586. He was a hero of the Elizabethan age, and his poetry was widely admired. Mary Villiers was his sister-in-law, since her husband was Sidney's brother, the Earl of Pembroke. The reference to Pembroke in the third line is a tribute to Mary Villiers' family and social status.
The fourth line is a warning to Death: if you dare to kill another person as fair, learned, and good as Mary Villiers, Time will throw a dart at you. This means that Time will avenge Mary Villiers' death by killing Death itself. The idea of Time as a powerful force that can defeat Death is a common motif in seventeenth-century poetry. It represents the idea that death is not the end, but a transition to another state of being.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza is a description of Mary Villiers' beauty:
The garland of a second grace
In sisterhood by Sidney's side,
With the moral muses' aid,
And the sister's destinies laid,
In royal purple, in death's putrefaction,
Maiden-like, thy wasted frame,
Of deathless love shall be the same,
As it is now, and shall be still
When all thy sister arts shall fill,
And all thy sisters' honours die,
Be thou, long time, in thy tomb
The joyful darling of the room.
The "garland of a second grace" represents Mary Villiers' beauty. The image of a garland is a common metaphor in poetry, representing a wreath or a crown of flowers that symbolizes beauty and victory. The "second grace" refers to Mary Villiers' status as the "subject of all verse," the inspiration for all poetry. She is compared to Sidney's sister, who was also a beautiful and intelligent woman.
The third line mentions the "moral muses." The muses were the nine goddesses of Greek mythology who presided over the arts and sciences. The "moral muses" were those who inspired poets to write about ethical and philosophical issues. Carew is saying that Mary Villiers had the support of the muses in her life and in her death.
The fourth and fifth lines mention "the sister's destinies." This refers to the idea of fate or destiny, which was a common belief in the seventeenth century. The idea was that our lives are predetermined by the stars or by God, and that we cannot escape our fate. Mary Villiers' fate was to die young, but her memory would live on through poetry and art.
The sixth line is a reference to Mary Villiers' royal status. She was a member of the aristocracy, and her family was closely connected to the royal court. The image of "royal purple" represents her status as a member of the royal family.
The seventh and eighth lines describe Mary Villiers' body after her death. The image of a "wasted frame" represents her corpse, which has been reduced to bones and ashes. The phrase "deathless love" represents the idea that love can transcend death, that Mary Villiers' memory will live on forever.
The ninth and tenth lines refer to the other arts and sciences. Carew is saying that Mary Villiers' memory will outlast all the other arts, that she will be remembered long after they have been forgotten.
The final two lines are a wish for Mary Villiers' afterlife. The phrase "the joyful darling of the room" represents the idea that Mary Villiers will be remembered fondly by those who knew her, that she will be a source of joy and comfort to them even after her death.
Conclusion
"Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers" is a masterpiece of elegy. Thomas Carew's use of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor creates a powerful and moving tribute to Mary Villiers' memory. The poem is a reminder that even in death, love can transcend the boundaries of time and space, that our memories can outlast our physical bodies, and that our lives can inspire others long after we are gone. As a literary critic, I can say without hesitation that this poem is one of the finest examples of seventeenth-century English poetry, and a testament to the power of language to transcend the boundaries of time and space.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry
Thomas Carew, a prominent poet of the seventeenth century, is known for his elegant and refined poetry. His works are characterized by their lyrical beauty, their melancholic tone, and their profound insights into the human condition. Among his most celebrated poems is the Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers, a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that captures the essence of grief, loss, and the transience of life.
The poem was written in memory of Mary Villiers, the daughter of Sir Edward Villiers, who died at the age of eighteen. Mary was a woman of great beauty, charm, and intelligence, and her untimely death was a source of profound sorrow for her family and friends. Carew's poem is a tribute to her memory, a lament for her passing, and a meditation on the fragility of human life.
The poem begins with a description of Mary's beauty and grace. Carew portrays her as a paragon of feminine virtue, a woman whose loveliness and goodness were unmatched. He writes:
"Underneath this marble hearse Lies the subject of all verse, Sydney's sister, Pembroke's mother. Death, ere thou hast slain another, Fair and learn'd and good as she, Time shall throw a dart at thee."
These lines are a testament to Mary's beauty, intelligence, and moral character. Carew compares her to the great poets of the past, such as Sir Philip Sidney, and to the noblest women of her time, such as the Countess of Pembroke. He also warns Death that he will not find another victim as fair, learned, and good as Mary, and that Time will eventually catch up with him.
The second stanza of the poem is a lament for Mary's death. Carew expresses his grief and sorrow at the loss of such a wonderful person, and he asks the rhetorical question:
"Why should we sigh, why should we weep, Since she is gone where all things sleep?"
This question reflects the poet's sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of death. He acknowledges that Mary has gone to a place where all things must go, and that there is no point in mourning her passing. However, he cannot help but feel the pain of her absence, and he expresses his sorrow in the following lines:
"Peace, ye wailers, cease your cries, Lest ye mar the maiden's eyes. She is gone, and gone for ever; She is dead, and nought can sever Her sweet soul from Paradise."
These lines are a poignant reminder of the finality of death, and of the fact that Mary has gone to a better place. Carew urges the mourners to be silent, so as not to disturb the peace of the dead, and he assures them that Mary's soul is now in Paradise, where it will remain forever.
The third stanza of the poem is a meditation on the transience of life. Carew reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence, and he compares it to the passing of the seasons:
"Summer's joys are but a breath, Winter's pleasures are as death; Proud in youth, and strong in folly, Weary then in want and woe, We slide down hill to wretchedness, Die, and end our lives in peace."
These lines are a powerful reminder of the impermanence of life, and of the fact that all things must come to an end. Carew contrasts the joys of summer with the sorrows of winter, and he suggests that human life is a cycle of pride, folly, weariness, and wretchedness. He also implies that death is a release from the burdens of life, and that it brings peace to the soul.
The final stanza of the poem is a tribute to Mary's memory. Carew praises her virtues, her beauty, and her grace, and he expresses his hope that she will be remembered for generations to come:
"Her, while memory holds a seat In this distracted globe, shall greet Time and nature's obsequies, And her fair soul shall stand, at length, In the blessed choir of saints."
These lines are a fitting conclusion to the poem, as they celebrate Mary's life and legacy. Carew suggests that her memory will endure, even as the world around her changes, and that she will be honored by time and nature. He also implies that Mary's soul will be rewarded in the afterlife, and that she will join the ranks of the blessed saints.
In conclusion, the Epitaph On The Late Mary Villiers is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that captures the essence of grief, loss, and the transience of life. Thomas Carew's lyrical beauty, his melancholic tone, and his profound insights into the human condition make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Mary Villiers may be gone, but her memory lives on in this exquisite tribute to her life and legacy.
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