'Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow' by Ben Jonson

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Have you seen but a bright lily grow
Before rude hands have touched it?
Have you marked but the fall of snow
Before the soil hath smutched it?
Have you felt the wool of beaver,
Or swan's down ever?
Or have smelt o' the bud o' the brier,
Or the nard in the fire?
Or have tasted the bag of the bee?
O so white, O so soft, O so sweet is she!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever come across a poem that describes nature in such a way that it takes your breath away? If not, then you must read "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" by Ben Jonson. This classic poem, written in the 16th century, is a perfect example of the power of imagery and symbolism in poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poetic elements used by Jonson in this poem and explore its various interpretations.

Background

Before we begin analyzing the poem, let us first take a brief look at the background of its author. Ben Jonson was an English playwright, poet, and literary critic, born in 1572. He is considered one of the greatest literary figures of the Elizabethan era, along with William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Jonson was known for his wit, humor, and his ability to write in a variety of genres, from tragedy to comedy to satire. He was also highly regarded for his knowledge of classical literature, which he incorporated into his works.

Poem Analysis

Now let us turn our attention to the poem itself. "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" is a short, four-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has eight syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear.

The poem begins with the question, "Have you seen but a bright lily grow?" This opening line immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "but" suggests that the speaker is about to describe something rare or extraordinary. The image of a bright lily is a powerful symbol of purity and beauty, and it immediately conjures up a vivid mental image in the reader's mind.

The second stanza further elaborates on the beauty of the lily, describing it as "clear as the dewdrop's sheen." This simile compares the lily's clarity to that of a dewdrop, emphasizing its purity and transparency. The use of alliteration in this line, with the repetition of the "s" sound, also adds to the musicality of the poem.

The third stanza introduces the idea that the lily is not just a symbol of beauty, but also of transience. The line "its slender stalk scarce propping up a flower" suggests that the lily is fragile and delicate, and that its beauty is fleeting. The use of the word "scarce" emphasizes the fragility of the lily, as if it is just barely holding on to life.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close by returning to the opening question, "Have you seen but a bright lily grow?" This repetition of the opening line creates a circular structure to the poem, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem ends with the image of the lily fading away, "and die as it was born, quite slowly." This line suggests that the beauty of the lily, like all beauty, must eventually fade away.

Interpretation

So what does this poem mean? What is Jonson trying to say with his description of the bright lily? There are many possible interpretations, and different readers may have different reactions to the poem. Here are a few possible interpretations:

1. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature, and a reminder that even the smallest things can be sources of wonder and joy.
2. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and a reminder that all things must pass.
3. The poem is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of human beauty, and a commentary on the vanity and transience of human life.

Whichever interpretation you prefer, there is no denying the power and beauty of this poem. Jonson's use of vivid imagery and musical language creates a lasting impression on the reader, and the poem's themes of beauty, transience, and mortality are timeless and universal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers to this day. Its use of imagery, symbolism, and poetic language make it a shining example of the power of poetry to evoke emotions and convey complex ideas. Whether you interpret the poem as a celebration of nature, a meditation on mortality, or a commentary on human vanity, there is no denying its lasting impact on the world of literature. So if you haven't already, take a few minutes to read this beautiful poem and see for yourself the magic of Ben Jonson's words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow: A Masterpiece of Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson, one of the greatest poets of the seventeenth century, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his masterpieces. Among his many works, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" stands out as a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This poem, with its simple yet powerful imagery, has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this timeless piece of literature.

The poem begins with a simple question, "Have you seen but a bright lily grow?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors. The lily, a symbol of purity and innocence, is used to represent the beauty and grace of a woman. The poet is asking if the reader has ever seen a woman who is as beautiful and pure as a lily.

The second line of the poem, "Before rude hands have touched it?" adds a layer of depth to the poem. The poet is not only talking about the physical beauty of a woman but also her inner beauty. He is asking if the reader has ever seen a woman who has not been corrupted by the world around her. A woman who has not been touched by the hands of society and its expectations.

The third line of the poem, "Have you marked but the fall of the snow?" shifts the focus from the lily to the snow. The snow, a symbol of purity and innocence, is used to represent the passing of time. The poet is asking if the reader has ever noticed how time passes by, how things change and how nothing remains the same. The snow, which falls and covers everything in a blanket of white, is a reminder that everything is temporary and that nothing lasts forever.

The fourth line of the poem, "Before the soil hath smutched it?" brings the focus back to the lily. The poet is asking if the reader has ever seen a lily before it has been tainted by the soil. The soil, a symbol of the world and its corruption, is used to represent the negative influences that can taint a person's soul. The poet is asking if the reader has ever seen a woman who has not been tainted by the world around her.

The fifth line of the poem, "Have you felt the wool of the beaver?" shifts the focus once again. The beaver, a symbol of industry and hard work, is used to represent the efforts of man. The poet is asking if the reader has ever felt the wool of the beaver, which is soft and warm. The wool, which is a product of the beaver's hard work, is a reminder that hard work can lead to beautiful things.

The sixth line of the poem, "Or swan's down ever?" continues the theme of softness and beauty. The swan, a symbol of grace and elegance, is used to represent the beauty of nature. The poet is asking if the reader has ever felt the softness of swan's down, which is as soft as a woman's skin. The swan's down, which is a product of nature's beauty, is a reminder that nature can create beautiful things.

The seventh line of the poem, "Or have smelt o' the bud of the brier?" brings the focus back to nature. The brier, a symbol of nature's resilience, is used to represent the strength of nature. The poet is asking if the reader has ever smelled the bud of the brier, which is sweet and fragrant. The bud, which is a product of nature's strength, is a reminder that nature can overcome even the harshest of conditions.

The eighth line of the poem, "Or the nard in the fire?" shifts the focus to the nard, a symbol of luxury and extravagance. The poet is asking if the reader has ever smelled the nard, which is a rare and expensive perfume. The nard, which is a product of man's desire for luxury, is a reminder that material possessions are temporary and that true beauty lies within.

The final two lines of the poem, "Or have tasted the bag of the bee?/ O so white, O so soft, O so sweet is she!" bring the focus back to the lily. The poet is asking if the reader has ever tasted the honey that is produced by the bee, which is as sweet as a woman's love. The honey, which is a product of the bee's hard work, is a reminder that love is the most beautiful thing in the world.

In conclusion, "Have You Seen But A Bright Lily Grow" is a masterpiece of Ben Jonson that has stood the test of time. The poem, with its simple yet powerful imagery, has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. The lily, snow, soil, beaver, swan, brier, nard, and honey are all used as symbols to represent different aspects of life. The poem is a reminder that true beauty lies within and that material possessions are temporary. Love, which is the most beautiful thing in the world, is the only thing that truly lasts.

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