'Song To Celia - II' by Ben Jonson


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Drink to me only with thine eyes,And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth riseDoth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,I would not change for thine.I sent thee late a rosy wreath,Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that thereIt could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,And sent'st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,Not of itself, but thee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Song to Celia - II: A Close Reading and Interpretation

Ben Jonson's "Song to Celia - II" is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of readers and music lovers for centuries. This beautiful poem is a masterpiece of English literature and has been widely anthologized and set to music.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Jonson's "Song to Celia - II" and explore the poem's meaning and significance.

The Poem's Structure and Literary Devices

The poem is a lyric, a type of poem that expresses the poet's emotions or thoughts. The poem is composed of twelve lines, with the rhyme scheme ABABCC. The meter of the poem is iambic tetrameter, with four feet per line.

The poem's title gives us a clue about its content. "Song to Celia - II" suggests that this poem is a sequel to another poem by Jonson called "Song to Celia." The first stanza of the poem reads:

Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.

In this stanza, the speaker is asking Celia to drink to him with her eyes or leave a kiss in the cup. He is saying that her presence is enough for him, and he does not need wine to be happy.

The second stanza reads:

The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.

In this stanza, the speaker is saying that the thirst that comes from the soul cannot be quenched by earthly drinks like wine. He is saying that he would rather drink Jove's nectar, the drink of the gods, than drink the wine that Celia might offer.

The final stanza reads:

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be;

But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent'st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.

In this stanza, the speaker is saying that he recently sent Celia a wreath of roses as a token of his affection. He did not send it to honor her, but to give it a hope that it would not wither. However, Celia breathed on the wreath and sent it back to the speaker. Since then, the wreath has grown and smells of Celia. The speaker is saying that the wreath has taken on the essence of Celia, and it now reminds him of her.

The poem is rich in literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and allusion. The speaker uses metaphor to compare Celia's presence to wine and Jove's nectar. He personifies the thirst that rises from the soul, giving it human characteristics. The speaker also alludes to Jove's nectar, the drink of the gods, which adds a mythological element to the poem.

The Poem's Themes

The themes of Jonson's "Song to Celia - II" include love, desire, and the power of memory. The speaker's love for Celia is evident throughout the poem. He compares her to wine and Jove's nectar, saying that her presence is enough to quench his thirst.

The speaker's desire for Celia is also evident in the poem. He sends her a wreath of roses as a token of his affection and hopes that it will not wither. When Celia sends the wreath back to him, he is delighted that it has taken on her essence.

The power of memory is also a theme in the poem. The speaker's memory of Celia is so strong that even a wreath of roses reminds him of her. The wreath has taken on the essence of Celia, and it now reminds him of her. This theme suggests that memory can be a powerful force that can keep love alive even when the loved one is not present.

The Poem's Meaning and Significance

"Song to Celia - II" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and desire. The poem's meaning is that love and desire can be quenched by the presence of the beloved. The power of memory is also a significant theme in the poem, suggesting that love can be kept alive even when the loved one is not present.

The poem's significance lies in its timeless appeal. The poem has been widely anthologized and set to music, attesting to its enduring popularity. The poem's meter and rhyme scheme make it easy to set to music, and many composers have created musical settings of the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ben Jonson's "Song to Celia - II" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of love and desire. The poem's structure and literary devices make it a joy to read, while its themes and meaning give it lasting significance. The poem's popularity is a testament to its enduring appeal, and it will continue to be read and enjoyed for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song To Celia - II: An Analysis of Ben Jonson's Classic Poem

Ben Jonson's Poetry Song To Celia - II is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and romantic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem is a love song addressed to a woman named Celia. The speaker of the poem is deeply in love with Celia and expresses his feelings through the use of poetic language. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker compares Celia to a rose, saying that she is as sweet and beautiful as a rose. He also says that he will love her until the end of time, and that his love for her will never fade. The use of the rose as a metaphor for Celia is a common literary device used in love poetry. The rose is often used to represent beauty, love, and passion.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues to express his love for Celia. He says that he will always be faithful to her, and that he will never love another woman. He also says that he will always be true to her, and that he will never break her heart. The use of the word "true" in this stanza is significant, as it emphasizes the speaker's commitment to Celia.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous. The speaker says that he will make a wreath of roses for Celia, and that he will wear it on his heart. He also says that he will sing her praises to the heavens, and that he will make the angels jealous of his love for her. The use of the wreath of roses is another common literary device used in love poetry. The wreath represents the speaker's devotion to Celia, and his willingness to do anything to make her happy.

The final stanza of the poem is a repetition of the first stanza. The speaker once again compares Celia to a rose, and says that he will love her until the end of time. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's unwavering love for Celia, and reinforces the central theme of the poem.

Overall, Poetry Song To Celia - II is a beautiful and romantic poem that explores the themes of love, devotion, and commitment. The use of poetic language and literary devices such as metaphors and repetition add to the beauty and depth of the poem. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder that true love never fades.

In conclusion, Ben Jonson's Poetry Song To Celia - II is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. Its themes of love, devotion, and commitment are timeless, and its use of poetic language and literary devices make it a beautiful and memorable work of art. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply a romantic at heart, this poem is sure to touch your soul and leave a lasting impression.

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