'Follow Thy Fair Sun' by Thomas Campion


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1Follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow;
2Though thou be black as night,
3And she made all of light,
4Yet follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow.

5Follow her, whose light thy light depriveth;
6Though here thou liv'st disgrac'd,
7And she in heaven is plac'd,
8Yet follow her whose light the world reviveth.

9Follow those pure beams, whose beauty burneth;
10That so have scorched thee,
11As thou still black must be,
12Till her kind beams thy black to brightness turneth.

13Follow her, while yet her glory shineth;
14There comes a luckless night
15That will dim all her light;
16And this the black unhappy shade divineth.

17Follow still, since so thy fates ordained;
18The sun must have his shade,
19Till both at once do fade,
20The sun still proud, the shadow still disdained.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Follow Thy Fair Sun: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance

Introduction

Poetry has always been a beloved form of artistic expression for humans. It is the language of the heart and the soul, the medium through which we can communicate our deepest emotions, thoughts, and desires. One such masterpiece of poetic brilliance is Follow Thy Fair Sun, written by Thomas Campion.

Campion was a renowned poet, composer, and musician of the Elizabethan era. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets of his time, and his works have inspired generations of poets and musicians. Follow Thy Fair Sun is a tribute to the beauty and power of the sun, and it is a testament to Campion's poetic genius.

Analysis of the Poem

Follow Thy Fair Sun is a short but powerful poem that consists of two stanzas. The poem uses simple language and imagery to convey a profound message about the beauty and importance of the sun.

The first stanza of the poem is a call to the sun to rise and shine its light on the world. The speaker urges the sun to "follow thy fair course, / unhindered by those clouds of care / that wrap thee up in wint'ry shroud." The language here is poetic and evocative, as the speaker uses the metaphor of "clouds of care" to describe the obstacles that the sun must overcome to shine its light on the world. The imagery of the "wint'ry shroud" also adds to the sense of coldness and darkness that the speaker is trying to convey.

The second stanza of the poem is a celebration of the sun's beauty and power. The speaker describes the sun as a "mighty warrior" who "leads the day in triumph out." The language here is bold and confident, as the speaker uses the metaphor of the sun as a warrior to convey its strength and power. The imagery of the sun "leading the day in triumph out" also adds to the sense of victory and triumph that the speaker is trying to convey.

Overall, the poem is a celebration of the sun and its importance to the world. The language and imagery used by the speaker are powerful and evocative, and they convey a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.

Interpretation of the Poem

Follow Thy Fair Sun is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the power of nature. The sun, as a symbol of nature, is portrayed as a mighty warrior who triumphs over the obstacles that stand in its way. The speaker urges the sun to "follow thy fair course," implying that it has a predetermined path that it must follow. This suggests that nature has a certain order and purpose, and that we as humans should respect and honor that order.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a tribute to the power of the human spirit. The language and imagery used by the speaker are bold and confident, conveying a sense of strength and resilience. The sun, as a symbol of the human spirit, is portrayed as a warrior who overcomes adversity and emerges victorious. This suggests that we as humans have the power to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way and to achieve greatness.

Overall, Follow Thy Fair Sun is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world and the human spirit. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Follow Thy Fair Sun is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that has stood the test of time. Thomas Campion's use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the message of the poem is both timeless and universal. Whether it is interpreted as a celebration of the power of nature or the human spirit, the poem remains a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Follow Thy Fair Sun: An Analysis of Thomas Campion's Classic

Thomas Campion's "Follow Thy Fair Sun" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. Campion's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.

The poem's title, "Follow Thy Fair Sun," is a reference to the sun, which is a common symbol of love and beauty in poetry. The sun is often used to represent the beloved, and in this poem, it represents the speaker's love for his beloved. The title also suggests that the speaker is urging his beloved to follow the sun, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for following one's dreams or aspirations.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the sun, saying, "Follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow." The use of the word "unhappy" suggests that the speaker is feeling sad or melancholy. He goes on to say, "Though thou be black as night, and she made all of light, yet follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow." This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is bright and beautiful, while he feels dark and shadowy in comparison. However, he still urges the sun to follow his beloved, even though he feels unworthy of her.

In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to address the sun, saying, "Follow her whose light thy light depriveth." This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is so bright and beautiful that she outshines the sun. He goes on to say, "Though here thou liv'st disgraced, and she in heaven is placed, yet follow her whose light the world reviveth." This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is like a beacon of light that brings hope and joy to the world. He urges the sun to follow her, even though he feels unworthy of her.

In the third quatrain, the speaker turns his attention to himself, saying, "Follow those pure beams whose beauty burns in heavenly cheeks." This line suggests that the speaker is admiring his beloved's beauty and purity. He goes on to say, "Where love, and all sweet joys, eternal dwelling makes." This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is a source of love and joy that is eternal. He urges the sun to follow her, even though he feels unworthy of her.

In the final couplet, the speaker concludes the poem by saying, "Where they are, there is heaven." This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is like heaven on earth, a place of peace and happiness. He goes on to say, "And darkness there, the soul's most horrid prison." This line suggests that without his beloved, the speaker feels trapped and unhappy. He urges the sun to follow her, even though he feels unworthy of her.

The poem's themes are love, beauty, and the pursuit of happiness. The speaker is deeply in love with his beloved, and he admires her beauty and purity. He feels unworthy of her, but he still urges the sun to follow her, suggesting that he wants her to be happy and fulfilled. The poem is also about the pursuit of happiness, as the speaker suggests that his beloved is like heaven on earth, a place of peace and happiness.

The poem's language is rich and poetic, with many metaphors and symbols. The sun is a symbol of love and beauty, while the speaker's beloved is a symbol of hope and joy. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, while the rhyme scheme adds to its structure and form. The poem's language is also deeply emotional, with the speaker expressing his love and admiration for his beloved.

In conclusion, Thomas Campion's "Follow Thy Fair Sun" is a classic poem that explores themes of love, beauty, and the pursuit of happiness. The poem's structure, language, and symbolism all contribute to its beauty and power. The speaker's deep love and admiration for his beloved are expressed through rich and poetic language, making this poem a timeless masterpiece of English literature.

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