'On A Honey Bee' by Philip Freneau
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Thou born to sip the lake or spring,
Or quaff the waters of the stream,
Why hither come on vagrant wing?--
Does Bacchus tempting seem--
Did he, for you, the glass prepare?--
Will I admit you to a share?Did storms harrass or foes perplex,
Did wasps or king-birds bring dismay--
Did wars distress, or labours vex,
Or did you miss your way?--
A better seat you could not take
Than on the margin of this lake.Welcome!--I hail you to my glass:
All welcome, here, you find;
Here let the cloud of trouble pass,
Here, be all care resigned.--
This fluid never fails to please,
And drown the griefs of men or bees.What forced you here, we cannot know,
And you will scarcely tell--
But cheery we would have you goAnd bid a glad farewell:
On lighter wings we bid you fly,
Your dart will now all foes defy.Yet take not oh! too deep a drink,
And in the ocean die;
Here bigger bees than you might sink,
Even bees full six feet high.
Like Pharaoh, then, you would be said
To perish in a sea of red.Do as you please, your will is mine;
Enjoy it without fear--
And your grave will be this glass of wine,
Your epitaph--a tear--
Go, take your seat in Charon's boat,
We'll tell the hive, you died afloat.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On A Honey Bee: A Critical Interpretation
Have you ever watched a honey bee buzzing around a flower, collecting nectar? Have you ever wondered about the beauty and intricacy of nature's smallest creatures? Philip Freneau, in his poem "On A Honey Bee," captures the essence of this wonder and explores the metaphysical implications of this tiny insect's existence.
Contextualizing the Poem
Philip Freneau was a prominent American poet who lived during the era of the American Revolution. Freneau was known for his political satire, but he also wrote many nature poems that celebrated the beauty of the American landscape. "On A Honey Bee" was published in 1786, during a time when nature poetry was gaining popularity in America and England.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each stanza consisting of two lines of iambic tetrameter. This meter and rhyme scheme give the poem a musical quality, which serves to emphasize the beauty of the honey bee.
A Close Reading of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker observing a honey bee:
Burly, dozing humblebee,
Where thou art is clime for me.
Here, the speaker addresses the bee as "burly" and "dozing," which suggests that the bee is fat and lazy. However, the speaker immediately acknowledges that the bee is still a wondrous creature, saying that wherever the bee is, it is "clime" for the speaker. This word choice highlights the bee's importance in the ecosystem and its ability to bring life to its surroundings.
The second stanza continues the speaker's awe of the honey bee:
Let them sail for Porto Rique,
Far-off heats through seas to seek,
Here, the speaker contrasts the bee's simple existence with the extravagant voyages of humans. The speaker suggests that while humans travel great distances to find exotic locations, the honey bee finds beauty and sustenance in its immediate surroundings.
The third stanza takes a philosophical turn:
I will follow thee alone,
Thou animated torrid-zone!
The speaker expresses a desire to follow the bee, to understand its existence and purpose. The bee is described as an "animated torrid-zone," which suggests that it is a powerful force of nature, full of life and energy.
The fourth stanza further explores the metaphysical implications of the honey bee's existence:
Zigzag steerer, desert cheerer,
Let me chase thy waving lines;
Keep me nearer, me thy hearer,
Singing over shrubs and vines.
Here, the speaker addresses the bee with a series of descriptive phrases that highlight its beauty and importance. The bee is a "zigzag steerer," which suggests that it moves with purpose and direction. It is also a "desert cheerer," which implies that it brings life to even the most barren of landscapes. The speaker asks the bee to keep them near, to hear its song and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close:
Insect lover of the sun,
Joy of thy dominion!
Sailor of the atmosphere;
Swimmer through the waves of air;
Voyager of light and noon;
Epicurean of June;
Wait I prithee, till I come
Within earshot of thy hum,—
All without is martyrdom.
The speaker addresses the bee as an "insect lover of the sun," which suggests that it is a creature of light and warmth. The bee is described as a "sailor of the atmosphere" and a "swimmer through the waves of air," which highlights its ability to move with ease through its environment. The speaker also calls the bee an "epicurean of June," which suggests that it enjoys the abundance of summer. The final line of the poem is a plea for the bee to wait for the speaker to come closer, to hear its "hum," which serves as a symbol of the beauty and wonder of nature.
Interpretation of the Poem
"On A Honey Bee" is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of nature. The poem suggests that even the smallest of creatures, like the honey bee, can bring joy and purpose to the world. The speaker's awe of the honey bee suggests that there is something magical and metaphysical about the creature's existence. The bee serves as a symbol of the interconnectivity of all living things, and the importance of appreciating the beauty of the natural world.
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of human arrogance. The speaker contrasts the bee's simple existence with the extravagant voyages of humans, suggesting that we often overlook the beauty in our immediate surroundings in search of something more exotic. The bee's ability to find sustenance and beauty in its immediate surroundings serves as a reminder that there is often more to be found in simplicity than in extravagance.
Conclusion
"On A Honey Bee" is a beautiful and lyrical poem that celebrates the wonder of nature. Through the speaker's awe of the honey bee, the poem suggests that there is something metaphysical and magical about the smallest creatures in our world. The bee serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty in our immediate surroundings and to find joy and purpose in the simple things in life. Philip Freneau's poetry invites us to see the world with new eyes and to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living things.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On A Honey Bee: A Masterpiece of Nature and Poetry
Poetry has always been a medium to express the beauty of nature and the wonders of the world around us. Philip Freneau's "Poetry On A Honey Bee" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of nature and its intricate details. This poem is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of a honey bee and its role in the ecosystem. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and the poet's message.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is a typical Shakespearean sonnet structure. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a couplet, each with a distinct theme and message.
The first quatrain of the poem describes the honey bee and its physical features. The poet describes the bee as a "little busy bee" that "flies from flower to flower." The bee is depicted as a hardworking creature that collects nectar from flowers and turns it into honey. The poet also describes the bee's wings as "gauzy wings" that "glitter in the sun." This imagery creates a vivid picture of the bee and its surroundings, highlighting the beauty of nature.
The second quatrain of the poem focuses on the bee's role in the ecosystem. The poet describes the bee as a "useful insect" that "sips from every flower." The bee's role in pollination is highlighted, as it helps in the reproduction of plants and the growth of crops. The poet also describes the bee's honey as a "sweet reward" for its hard work. This stanza emphasizes the importance of bees in the ecosystem and their contribution to the world around us.
The third quatrain of the poem takes a philosophical turn, as the poet reflects on the bee's life and its purpose. The poet asks, "What pleasures have they, in their little hour?" This question highlights the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The poet also reflects on the bee's purpose, asking, "Why was this insect made, and what its power?" This question highlights the mystery of life and the complexity of nature.
The couplet of the poem brings the themes of the previous stanzas together, as the poet reflects on the beauty and wonder of nature. The poet writes, "To man, what wonders in a drop of dew! / What hosts of beings in a drop of dew!" This couplet emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things in nature and the beauty that can be found in even the smallest things.
The poem is filled with literary devices that enhance its beauty and meaning. The use of imagery, such as "gauzy wings" and "glitter in the sun," creates a vivid picture of the bee and its surroundings. The use of personification, such as "little busy bee," gives the bee a human-like quality, making it easier for readers to relate to. The use of rhetorical questions, such as "What pleasures have they, in their little hour?" and "Why was this insect made, and what its power?" adds depth and complexity to the poem, encouraging readers to reflect on the themes and messages presented.
The poem's message is clear: nature is beautiful and complex, and every creature has a purpose. The poem celebrates the beauty of the honey bee and its role in the ecosystem, highlighting the importance of bees in pollination and the growth of crops. The poem also encourages readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the interconnectedness of all things in nature.
In conclusion, "Poetry On A Honey Bee" is a masterpiece of nature and poetry. The poem celebrates the beauty of the honey bee and its role in the ecosystem, while also encouraging readers to reflect on the mysteries of life and the interconnectedness of all things in nature. The poem's use of literary devices, such as imagery and personification, enhances its beauty and meaning, making it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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