'Song From An Evening's Love' by John Dryden
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After the pangs of a desperate lover,
When day and night I have sighed all in vain,
Ah, what a pleasure it is to discover
In her eyes pity, who causes my pain!
When with unkindness our love at a stand is,
And both have punished ourselves with the pain,
Ah, what a pleasure the touch of her hand is!
Ah, what a pleasure to touch it again!
When the denial comes fainter and fainter,
And her eyes give what her tongue does deny,
Ah, what a trembling I feel when I venture!
Ah, what a trembling does usher my joy!
When, with a sigh, she accords me the blessing,
And her eyes twinkle 'twixt pleasure and pain,
Ah, what a joy 'tis beyond all expressing!
Ah, what a joy to hear 'Shall we again!'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Song From An Evening's Love by John Dryden
Wow, what a beautiful piece of poetry we have here! John Dryden's "Song From An Evening's Love" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, longing, and desire. This poem is a part of Dryden's play, "An Evening's Love," which was first performed in 1668.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in the form of a song with a refrain that repeats after every stanza. The refrain, "Love will find out the way," adds a musical quality to the poem and reinforces the theme of love's persistence. The poem has six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a sing-song rhythm. The structure and form of the poem contribute to its lyrical quality and make it memorable.
Interpretation
The poem is about the power of love to overcome obstacles and find a way to the beloved. The speaker is addressing a woman, urging her to open her heart to love and allow it to guide her. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by describing the power of love to melt even the hardest heart. The speaker tells the woman that love will find a way to reach her, no matter how closed off she may be.
"Love will find out the way, And the wild bee knows the hour, And the rosebud knows the day, And the larkspur knows the flower."
The second stanza uses the metaphor of a bee to describe the persistence of love. The bee knows the hour to collect nectar, just as love knows the right moment to strike. The rosebud and larkspur also know their time to bloom, just as love knows when to awaken in someone's heart. The third stanza continues the metaphor of love as a force of nature. The speaker tells the woman that love is like a stream that will find its way to the sea, no matter what obstacles it may face.
"Love will find out the way, Though the way be rugged and steep. Hopes a ray that leads the way, And love the torrent shall leap."
The fourth stanza uses the metaphor of hope as a guiding light to show the way to love. The speaker tells the woman that even if the path to love is difficult, hope will show her the way. Love is like a torrent that will leap over any obstacles in its way. The fifth stanza emphasizes the power of love to conquer all obstacles. The speaker tells the woman that even if she thinks she is unworthy of love, love will find her and make her worthy.
"Love will find out the way, And the heart be ruled by love, And the eyes wax mild and gay, And the soul like the heavens above."
The final stanza brings together all the previous metaphors and emphasizes the transformative power of love. Love will find a way to rule the heart, make the eyes gentle and joyful, and lift the soul to heavenly heights. The poem as a whole encourages the woman to open herself to love and trust that it will find its way to her.
Literary Criticism
Dryden was a prominent poet of the Restoration period, and "Song From An Evening's Love" reflects many of the themes and styles of the time. The poem's focus on love, its musical quality, and its use of metaphors are all typical of Restoration poetry. However, the poem stands out for its simplicity and directness. Unlike many other poems of the time, "Song From An Evening's Love" does not rely on complex metaphors or elaborate wordplay. Instead, it uses straightforward language and repetition to convey its message.
The poem's emphasis on the persistence and transformative power of love also reflects the broader cultural trends of the Restoration period. The period was marked by a new emphasis on individualism, which led to an increased focus on personal emotions and desires. Love, in particular, became a popular theme in literature, as writers explored the ways in which it could transform and elevate the individual. "Song From An Evening's Love" is a perfect example of this trend, as it celebrates the power of love to overcome obstacles and elevate the soul.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Song From An Evening's Love" is a beautiful and memorable poem that captures the essence of love and its transformative power. Through its use of metaphors, repetition, and simple language, the poem encourages the reader to open themselves to love and trust that it will find its way to them. As a product of the Restoration period, the poem also reflects broader cultural trends of the time, such as a focus on individualism and an emphasis on personal emotions and desires. Overall, "Song From An Evening's Love" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
Love will find out the way!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Song From An Evening's Love: A Masterpiece by John Dryden
John Dryden, the famous English poet, playwright, and literary critic, is known for his contribution to the Restoration literature of the 17th century. His works are characterized by their wit, satire, and elegance, and his poem "Song From An Evening's Love" is no exception. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, desire, and longing in a beautiful and eloquent manner.
The poem is a part of Dryden's play "An Evening's Love" and is sung by the character Celinda, who is in love with the protagonist, Young Bevil. The poem is a reflection of Celinda's feelings for Young Bevil and her desire to be with him. It is a song of love and longing that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been in love.
The poem begins with the lines "Love still has something of the sea, from whence his mother rose," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The sea is a metaphor for love, and the reference to its mother rising from it suggests that love is a force that is both powerful and mysterious. The use of the sea as a metaphor is a common literary device used to describe the depth and vastness of emotions, and Dryden uses it to great effect in this poem.
The next few lines of the poem describe the power of love and its ability to conquer all obstacles. The lines "No time, no place, no fate can bind, love conquers all, and we must yield to love" suggest that love is a force that is stronger than anything else in the world. It is a force that can overcome any obstacle, whether it be time, distance, or fate. The use of the word "yield" suggests that love is something that we cannot resist, and that we must give in to its power.
The poem then goes on to describe the physical and emotional effects of love. The lines "It raises up the drooping mind, and gives it wings to fly" suggest that love has the power to lift us up and make us feel alive. It is a force that can give us the strength and courage to face the challenges of life. The lines "It fills the heart with fond desire, and warms it with a lover's flame" suggest that love is a source of passion and desire that can ignite a fire within us. It is a force that can make us feel alive and vibrant.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Celinda expresses her feelings for Young Bevil. The lines "Oh, how I languish in thy arms, in pity to my pain, and gently whisper in my ear, and vow to love again" suggest that Celinda is deeply in love with Young Bevil and longs to be with him. The use of the word "languish" suggests that Celinda is suffering from the pain of unrequited love, and the reference to Young Bevil whispering in her ear suggests that she longs for his affection and attention.
The poem then takes a more melancholic turn, as Celinda expresses her fear of losing Young Bevil. The lines "But ah! what hopes for me remain, who must his loss deplore? Ah! why must I, with fond disdain, thus love, and be beloved no more?" suggest that Celinda is afraid of losing Young Bevil and is resigned to the fact that she may never be with him. The use of the word "deplore" suggests that Celinda is deeply saddened by the thought of losing Young Bevil, and the reference to her being "beloved no more" suggests that she feels that her love is unrequited.
The poem then ends with the lines "Yet, gentle swain, be kind, and cure the pain you have created, for though I must my love endure, I am not to be hated." These lines suggest that Celinda is still hopeful that Young Bevil will return her affections and that she is willing to endure the pain of unrequited love. The use of the word "gentle" suggests that Celinda sees Young Bevil as a kind and caring person, and the reference to her not being "hated" suggests that she is aware of the pain that her love may be causing him.
In conclusion, "Song From An Evening's Love" is a masterpiece of English literature that captures the essence of love, desire, and longing in a beautiful and eloquent manner. The poem is a reflection of Celinda's feelings for Young Bevil and her desire to be with him. It is a song of love and longing that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been in love. The use of metaphors, imagery, and poetic language makes this poem a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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